Would you display the trans flag?

[Chelsea]

Unfortunately for me I live in the south, right in the middle of the "Bible Belt" and some people around here don't like trans anything. I have a friend here that is a trans women and she has told me stories of being harassed by people in town. That is the only reason I wouldn't wear one. I can see me coming out of Wal-Mart at night and getting the crap beat out of me.
I have never been in public as Chelsea so really it might not be that bad here but, I still have that fear.

Hugs,
        Chelsea

[ainsley]

I don't know why there is such a divide and hostility from some whenever the question of being openly trans or not is discussed.

I know, right!  SO many people have the my way or the highway attitude about this.

I also don't have a sense of entitlement as was implied.

No, you don't.  Please do not worry about that because that is simply what someone else may think, and we all know that we cannot control what others think about us.  Just love yourself.

[Devlyn]

I don't have a sense of entitlement. Why would you think that?

Because you are enjoying the benefits of trans rights, fought for by people who came before you, yet you empirically state that that action is a  bad idea:

LGBT flags and bumper stickers are not a good idea. Adam, a guy I work with is one of those super proud gay guys. He's even worn a T-shirt that says Drag-queen on it. Of course he had the gay flag and gay pride bumper stickers and even one on the back window of his car. There were so many incidents that he finally got smart and removed them. More than once a carfull of guys yelled slurs at him at stoplights. Another time someone threw a large soda at his driver side window. Another time he and his boy friend went to a movie and when they came out someone had written " ->-bleeped-<-s must die" and "->-bleeped-<-s burn in hell" on his front and back windows with permanent marker.

Why make yourself a target for hate?

I looked at what you said objectively, and  made objective comments. We can all benefit from taking an objective look at ourselves, our thinking, and our actions. It's a good exercise. As Ainsley says, my words shouldn't matter, they're merely pixels on a screen.   

Hugs, Devlyn

[Bari Jo]

I've been following this and also having this as an internal dialog for quite some time.  I agree with Devlyn that the current more accepting environment has been hard fought by trans folk that have traveled before us.  I also agree with others that say, why be proud of something that has caused me great pain.  I currently am firmly in that pain camp and still have shame.  However I WILL start displaying a flag or symbol just for my own healing.  This will also have an added benefit to help future trans folk.  I also visit the south frequently and will not be waving the flag there.  I know, I'm a hypocrite, but I also love my life.

Bari Jo

[Devlyn]

Proud to be Trans and a member of the trans community We have been trans since birth and will always be trans.  Lets have a new really representative flag..Art competition on Susans place

My boss Scott just spun this up for me. Maybe we can improve on this basic design.



Hugs, Devlyn

[Megan.]

It's not a trans flag, but I wear a rainbow pride lanyard at work as an out and proud leader of our LGBT network.
It goes on in the morning before i leave the house, and comes off when I get home. If I stop at the shops any time during the day in the week it usually stays on too.
I've never encountered any conflict resulting from this.

X.

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[Barb99]

No. I do not want the attention.
I transitioned to live my life as any other woman would. If I label myself transgender I can't do that.

[Colleen_definitely]

My boss Scott just spun this up for me. Maybe we can improve on this basic design.



Hugs, Devlyn

You know, that doesn't look half bad.

[Devlyn]

There's a lot of symbolism in there too. The circle represents continuity and inclusion. Male, female and neutral are represented. Everything comes from the center, our core.

Hugs, Devlyn

[Megan.]

It's Devlyn's mind control device, don't look!! [emoji23]

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[Devlyn]

Nonsense!  Stare at the pinwheel and pay no attention to Megan! 

[Colleen_definitely]

All glory to the HypnoDevlyn

[ainsley]

All glory to the HypnoDevlyn

Under her eye. 
Blessed fruit; may she open.

[Kylo]

No.

Sharing thoughts with people you meet about this is far more effective than flying a flag. It also puts me on an even keel with someone else, which earns respect more effectively from the opposition - flag-waving doesn't.

[Faith]

I've been reading. I don't think I would ever fly a flag, use a sticker, or anything else that draws attention in that manner. Not because I don't know or appreciate those that came before and paved the way for more acceptance and easier (relative) transitions.

I am not an activist. Were I one that that is already in the public eye or planning to be, doing so would not be an issue. I am not.

The symbol is a sign of support, yes, great
The symbol is a target for the ignorant, yes, bad.
I have zero problems conversing and answering questions one-on-one to those I meet to help educate them on what it means. A crowd of one I can handle.
My plan is to (attempt to) reduce the ignorant one at a time.

[Janes Groove]

I like the idea of playing with the shape, Devlyn.  I'm thinking something more of a streamer or a banner shaped flag rotated 90 degrees.  Reminiscent of a long dress or a pair of pants.

Also, I'm just brainstorming here but stay with me. How about a Southern "Stars and Bars" Confederacy flag except with transgender colors for flying down South?  That would cause some heads to explode down in Dixie I expect.

[Stevie]

  Having spent a good part of my life being ostracized, bullied and abused even from members of my own family for appearing to be an effeminate male I have no desire to draw unwanted attention to myself. For those who are so vocal about the virtues of living openly, have you had your face kicked in, have you had bones broken, have you been stabbed for just for being different? I have, and would rather not spend whats left of my life as a target for further abuse.

[Denise]

Not on my car.  I drive a LOT.  There are some crazy people out there that think that they are anonymous behind the wheel or while the car is parked do something. 

I do a lot of bike riding and I'm about to buy some trans socks to wear.

One thing to consider... who, outside our community knows what the trans-flag is?

[SomeGirlShay]

I think it is going to depend on how comfortable I am after fully coming out. It might take a while for me to proudly display the flag but I do hope to be at that point in my life at some point.

[Devlyn]

I like the idea of playing with the shape, Devlyn.  I'm thinking something more of a streamer or a banner shaped flag rotated 90 degrees.  Reminiscent of a long dress or a pair of pants.

Also, I'm just brainstorming here but stay with me. How about a Southern "Stars and Bars" Confederacy flag except with transgender colors for flying down South?  That would cause some heads to explode down in Dixie I expect.

Thanks! 

Hugs, Devlyn