I read these replies with great interest and I am struck by the diversity of the United States of America and thus the prejudices within each of them as if 50 independant nations had a unique view of transsexualism. Clearrly some states retain a historical link to the pilgrims that initially travelled from Europe and the resultant links to traditional teachings of Rome or wherever, some states are heavily linked to the Spanish/Mexican influences whilst other may just be a melting pot of the planet in miniature as is New York City.
I live within the United Kingdom of Great Britain, this is a group of 4 'nations' i.e England, Scotland, Wales and with the addition of Northern Ireland. Britain is the first three nations alone but with Northern Irelend we form the UK. Forget the history lesson, my point is that this small union also has views unique to their own regards to our little community. Without doubt, I find extreme hostility when in the company of Irish folk. Sad really because I myself am half Irish. The Welsh generally cannot be bothered. The Scots can be difficult but often, in my experience, only if they have demolished a bottle of whisky. The English are generally an uptight race, unable to comprehend diffferences in their fellow man or woman and in many cases, remain in the world of Queen Victoria.
OKAY, I am generalising with perhaps a dash of humour thrown into the mixture but this is my experience. It is not much easier here than it is in the USA. I have not yet given much thought to how other regions think, Asia, Africa, Australasia, South America...even Los Angeles!!
I am not sure if I care about acceptance anymore. They do or they don't. Live and let live is a commonly quoted sayinng here, and in most instances, this is how it is here in UK. It is those isolated cases that hit us hard and then everything I have just written becomes toilet paper.......
