News and Events => Opinions & Editorials => Topic started by: Shana A on August 07, 2012, 08:43:38 AM Return to Full Version
Title: Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Post by: Shana A on August 07, 2012, 08:43:38 AM
Post by: Shana A on August 07, 2012, 08:43:38 AM
Toni Newman (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman) Writer, law school student, and author, 'I Rise: The Transformation of Toni Newman'
Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Posted: 08/06/2012 6:04 pm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/heart-of-a-woman-the-transgender-female-journey_b_1735611.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/heart-of-a-woman-the-transgender-female-journey_b_1735611.html)
The male-to-female transformation is one that begins very early for most transgender people, with a feeling in the heart and the soul. The common thread I have found among most male-to-female transgender people is that they felt different ("I am in the wrong gender") from their very earliest memories. From my earliest memories, I remember my heart and soul beating to a different drummer and feeling that I was a different bird. "Heart of a woman" adequately describes what transgender women experience internally and the emotions and feelings that go along with that experience. It is such a natural transistion once the individual decides to walk this difficult journey. I applaud Matrix co-director Lana Wachowski for being true to herself no matter the obstacles. The difficulty comes in accepting the call of gender identity and being honest to oneself. The biggest obstacle is finally making that transistion and telling the public (family, friends, coworkers) the decision to change genders.
Having been raised in the Deep South in a Christian tradition, I am very aware of the teachings of the Bible and the strict values that are taught as being necessary for good Christians to uphold. I have studied the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, and consider it a source of encouragement and guidance. But I am so amazed by the major controversy over comments made by Chick-fil-A president and COO Dan Cathy regarding his stance on gay marriage. First and foremost, Mr. Cathy has a constitutional right to believe what he wants, and to state his beliefs. His beliefs do not have to coincide with mine, but as a business owner, I am baffled that a businessman would speak for his whole company, which is made up of individuals of various belief systems, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Posted: 08/06/2012 6:04 pm
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/heart-of-a-woman-the-transgender-female-journey_b_1735611.html (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/toni-newman/heart-of-a-woman-the-transgender-female-journey_b_1735611.html)
The male-to-female transformation is one that begins very early for most transgender people, with a feeling in the heart and the soul. The common thread I have found among most male-to-female transgender people is that they felt different ("I am in the wrong gender") from their very earliest memories. From my earliest memories, I remember my heart and soul beating to a different drummer and feeling that I was a different bird. "Heart of a woman" adequately describes what transgender women experience internally and the emotions and feelings that go along with that experience. It is such a natural transistion once the individual decides to walk this difficult journey. I applaud Matrix co-director Lana Wachowski for being true to herself no matter the obstacles. The difficulty comes in accepting the call of gender identity and being honest to oneself. The biggest obstacle is finally making that transistion and telling the public (family, friends, coworkers) the decision to change genders.
Having been raised in the Deep South in a Christian tradition, I am very aware of the teachings of the Bible and the strict values that are taught as being necessary for good Christians to uphold. I have studied the Bible, both Old and New Testaments, and consider it a source of encouragement and guidance. But I am so amazed by the major controversy over comments made by Chick-fil-A president and COO Dan Cathy regarding his stance on gay marriage. First and foremost, Mr. Cathy has a constitutional right to believe what he wants, and to state his beliefs. His beliefs do not have to coincide with mine, but as a business owner, I am baffled that a businessman would speak for his whole company, which is made up of individuals of various belief systems, sexual orientations, and gender identities.
Title: Re: Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Post by: Catherine Sarah on August 07, 2012, 10:40:11 AM
Post by: Catherine Sarah on August 07, 2012, 10:40:11 AM
Thank YOU Zythyra,
What can one say? WOW!! Just seems so under whelming. I'm sure, only having read the first 40 pages of "I Rise", Toni's story will resonate with the majority of us here, in one way, shape or form.
For me, denial, was one of my coping mechanisms to subjugate those feelings of femininity. But as we all know, denial, cannot provide that groundsheet of protection we crave for it to cover. Our inner real personality is much too strong an entity to permit such a heinous crime of subterfuge. Our real inner persona is designed to burst the seems of anything that attempts to shadow it. It will, in the long run, rein supreme, to our betterment, understanding and final serenity of ourselves.
Such an affirming and validating read. Thank you.
Huggs
Catherine
What can one say? WOW!! Just seems so under whelming. I'm sure, only having read the first 40 pages of "I Rise", Toni's story will resonate with the majority of us here, in one way, shape or form.
For me, denial, was one of my coping mechanisms to subjugate those feelings of femininity. But as we all know, denial, cannot provide that groundsheet of protection we crave for it to cover. Our inner real personality is much too strong an entity to permit such a heinous crime of subterfuge. Our real inner persona is designed to burst the seems of anything that attempts to shadow it. It will, in the long run, rein supreme, to our betterment, understanding and final serenity of ourselves.
Such an affirming and validating read. Thank you.
Huggs
Catherine
Title: Re: Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Post by: Shana A on August 07, 2012, 02:40:12 PM
Post by: Shana A on August 07, 2012, 02:40:12 PM
Thanks Catherine. I want to read Toni's book, looks quite inspirational!
Z
Z
Title: Re: Heart of a Woman: The Transgender Female Journey
Post by: Catherine Sarah on August 07, 2012, 08:40:35 PM
Post by: Catherine Sarah on August 07, 2012, 08:40:35 PM
Thank you Zythyra,
Thankfully to this day of modern technology, but not having the compulsive nature my children have, I did a search through iTunes and found the book at a reasonable price.
Downloading it to my iPhone, I can now while away those blissful hours driving through Sydney's parking lots. Oh sorry. Some call them freeways. They used to called expressways, however, no longer. Still good places to meet up with old friends, discuss gardening tips, read books or just catch up in a bit of R&R. :laugh: :laugh: or course until the :police: arrive.
I'll keep you posted, but won't give away the saucy bits. I'll leave that up to you.
Huggs
Catherine
Thankfully to this day of modern technology, but not having the compulsive nature my children have, I did a search through iTunes and found the book at a reasonable price.
Downloading it to my iPhone, I can now while away those blissful hours driving through Sydney's parking lots. Oh sorry. Some call them freeways. They used to called expressways, however, no longer. Still good places to meet up with old friends, discuss gardening tips, read books or just catch up in a bit of R&R. :laugh: :laugh: or course until the :police: arrive.
I'll keep you posted, but won't give away the saucy bits. I'll leave that up to you.
Huggs
Catherine