Quote from: Karen on December 31, 2007, 12:16:27 AM
She didn't ask for or seek out the celebrity, she was shoved in, chewed up thoroughly and spit out.
What? She walked into the city council meeting with her eyes wide open and knew the possibilities and probabilities, or else she was either very naive, blind or worse. She had a low six figure income and still has an excellent resume, and she can't find a good job recruiter? She has a year severance pay, gets money for speaking engagements and the documentary (I've read they're paying her srs), and she's worried about money? Like she understands the real world of most transwomen?
I'm sorry, the article has a lot of "Huh?" questions in it because she expressed little insight into the transcommunity and repeated some rhetoric from the HRC, such as:
Quote"But I don't blame the human rights groups from separating the transgender people from the protected groups. Most Americans aren't ready for us yet," Susan says. Transgender people need to be able to prove they're still viable workers -- especially in the mainstream.
"The biggest issue against the federal legislation is that politicians think the ladies' rooms will be invaded by guys in drag," Susan says, "instead of someone like me."
And we're supposed to say it's ok for a newcomer to say this in the public spotlight (being invited to testify and speak "for us") without being angry or hurt by her words? And we're supposed to accept her discrimination about transwomen who have problems because she thinks she's better and passes?
She's not aware of all the transwomen who have lead very successful lives, many in stealth mode, but still totally integrated into the world? She's not aware of all the public transwomen who have been excellent examples of transwomen (Lynn Conway's Website) and don't denigrate the community and members in the press?
She may be a good example for trans-inclusion in ENDA, and she testified before Congress for this, but then she says she "understands" why it "we're" the problem. What didn't she know about doing her homework? She expected her experience to be representative of the community? Give me a break.
I wish her the best, but I think she needs to become normal and get out of the spotlight so she can find a job and have a life, or decide the public forum is her new life, and then be ready for the fireworks for and against her. And she hasn't been off to a good start of her own making.
And I don't have any sympathy or empathy for her. She made her choices and created her situation, and if she wasn't ready for the criticism, then she shouldn't have stepped into the spotlight. All she has to do is say "No, thanks, I'm not giving any interviews." How hard is that?
I do think inviting her here, Helen's or Calpernia' forums will help (I'm not sure she's ready for Calpernia's unless she develops some thicker skin) is a good idea and will help to educate and inform her where she'll see more of the community. She needs help, but more importantly, in my view, needs a reality check about life and the real transcommunity.
--Susan--
