Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Like the hippie movement of the 60's that exploded on the scene , we as transgenders  need the same kind of social explosion to live free. Attitudes must change how we view ourselves so we can  change societies view of us .Wouldn't it be grand not to be concerned no matter how you presented you were just viewed as just one of the invisible multitude. sorry for the soap box.

  So many are stealth and most likely will never have the courage to come out.Out of close to 30 girls that I know here only 3 of us are out full time  We are 65,66,and 71 those that are younger and working fear for their jobs and marriages and I do not blame them. Doing this is unbelievably difficult for all of us, what it really boils down to is that those of us who are out really need to be active in the community to gain support.
  I am the poster girl for coming out day last Oct 10 at the Miami VA no one else would do it or did not know about it.   FACE BOOK---MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PIC DATED OCT 14TH 6 PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE MY SO IS NEXT TO ME IN THE BLUE AND WHITE TOP.
  ON NOVEMBER 9TH I WILL CARRY OUR FLAG IN A PARADE IN DOWNTOWN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA AT 6'6" IN HEELS PEOPLE SHOULD SEE ME HOLDING IT.
  I AM DOING MY PART IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO BECOME INVOLVED AND SHOW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE JUST LIKE OTHER PEOPLE -- ONLY A LITTLE DIFFERENT.   COWPATTY  :)

Quote from: stephaniec on October 17, 2014, 07:51:30 PM
Like the hippie movement of the 60's that exploded on the scene , we as transgenders  need the same kind of social explosion to live free. Attitudes must change how we view ourselves so we can  change societies view of us .Wouldn't it be grand not to be concerned no matter how you presented you were just viewed as just one of the invisible multitude. sorry for the soap box.

Something tells me, if the movement was to express one's self as they so desired, the movement would be huge!

I like the way you think!   :)

Stephaniec, The movement you mention will come. It may be slow to gain momentum but once it gets going... ohmy! With shows like the TWord, movies, media....   I would say the pendulum has been set in motion.  It would be difficult for some due to marriages, family, jobs, necessity, etc. 

I've often asked myself if I would 'out' myself for no other reason than just doing it and take note of reactions. But I have to think of my family (only my immediate family knows that I am aware of), my husband's family (they do not know), our son (he does not know), my job and future jobs, my friends, my community... so much at stake to lose --- or gain? A bit scary when I really think about it.

Do I live in secret? I don't think so, because no one has yet to begin a conversation with "Do you have an innie or an outie?"   They simply get to know me. But lately here,  I am thinking that if the conversation takes a turn in that direction, which is a rare thing, .. well ........

It has started

It has already come to some places, and hopefully it won't spread from there.  I'm at a very progressive college with a large queer community, and here the amount of transphobia I see is fairly minor.  The world is a changing place-and while I freely admit that I'm often open because I don't feel like stealth is an option for me yet (or perhaps ever, sadly) I do think that the number of people who are open about their experiences will directly impact the way the world views us as a whole.  And while I'd like to get to a place where I can work a job without my bosses knowing my medical history, I'm never just going to leave this facet of my identity in the past and hide it from sight.  I've yet to meet another person my age who has any intention at all of doing this-and that's progress.

I'm plesantly surprised there are more of us brought into the public eye. The trans movement is becoming more accepted, and during the past few months, I've met several great trans folks who are in various stages of transitioning. Although not full time myself, I'm a lot more open and free than I've ever been.

And, I'm waiting for the annoncement that Bruce Jenner is trans and has gone full time!  :icon_ihearu:

Quote from: Christine Eryn on October 18, 2014, 12:26:19 PM

And, I'm waiting for the annoncement that Bruce Jenner is trans and has gone full time!  :icon_ihearu:

and Ronan Parke

The revolution started on the late 1800's and still going.... emancipation, children labor laws, vote fro women, civil right act of 1964... and more recently... guy marriage, SRS in medicare, SRS for Fed employees... and in the horizon... transgender people allow to serve in the US forces...

So, yeah, much change yet much needed to change.... e.g. population control, environmental pollution, wars, etc., etc., etc.,

Quote from: stephaniec on October 17, 2014, 07:51:30 PM
Like the hippie movement of the 60's that exploded on the scene , we as transgenders  need the same kind of social explosion to live free. Attitudes must change how we view ourselves so we can  change societies view of us .Wouldn't it be grand not to be concerned no matter how you presented you were just viewed as just one of the invisible multitude. sorry for the soap box.

That will never happen as long as we have the gender barriers that artificially separate us as female and male. (I.E.: public reatrooms, locker rooms, sports activities, exercise facilities, private clubs, clothing, etc.)

we really do need a revolution

Will it be televised?  (You're showing your age if you understand this one.)

I live openly in a very small town, and people are good to me (apart from some of the school kids).  The more they see of us, the more they'll realize they've got nothing to fear.  I'm optimistic on this one: we shall overcome.  It will take some time yet, but it is a struggle we're going to win.

The movement had been coming for many years now.

Those who have transitioned before you have blazed new paths.

Yes it had come slow but it's hard fighting the religious right.

Each will do there own part as they transition and touch new wad of education of the populous.

Everyone needs to keep the pressure on the government to get the concrete protection laws do we can keep the bad at bay.

Stay strong

Everyone keeps saying that the movement has been going on for years but I think what Stephanie is thinking of is a sort of a near-future, widespread revolution that defines a generation and is focused on acceptance for all people no matter how they present themselves. And I don't see why this isn't a possibility in our time. Our community should raise more awareness for ourselves, and in this day and age even if you're in the closet, it's possible to raise awareness. I mean, we could start by discussing amongst ourselves the details of this revolution, and as soon as we start figuring it out get the message out. Trans* people and cis allies alike could join together to tweet celebrities, comment on videos by popular YouTubers, make sure important, open-minded people get the message. Maybe we could inspire Laci Green to make a video on trans etiquette or John Green to write a book with a non-binary character. This post made me excited because it made me think to myself Why hasn't this happened? It's not out of reach for us. There are a lot of open-minded celebrities who would probably jump at the idea of helping to support an underrepresented group. I say it would probably take just a couple years before someone could walk down the street with a beard and a dress and no one would think twice about it. Why are we not working together to make this a reality?

Quote from: justpat on October 17, 2014, 08:12:18 PM
  So many are stealth and most likely will never have the courage to come out.Out of close to 30 girls that I know here only 3 of us are out full time  We are 65,66,and 71 those that are younger and working fear for their jobs and marriages and I do not blame them. Doing this is unbelievably difficult for all of us, what it really boils down to is that those of us who are out really need to be active in the community to gain support.
  I am the poster girl for coming out day last Oct 10 at the Miami VA no one else would do it or did not know about it.   FACE BOOK---MIAMI VA HEALTHCARE SYSTEM PIC DATED OCT 14TH 6 PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE MY SO IS NEXT TO ME IN THE BLUE AND WHITE TOP.
  ON NOVEMBER 9TH I WILL CARRY OUR FLAG IN A PARADE IN DOWNTOWN WEST PALM BEACH FLORIDA AT 6'6" IN HEELS PEOPLE SHOULD SEE ME HOLDING IT.
  I AM DOING MY PART IT IS UP TO ALL OF US TO BECOME INVOLVED AND SHOW PEOPLE THAT WE ARE JUST LIKE OTHER PEOPLE -- ONLY A LITTLE DIFFERENT.   COWPATTY  :)

You make it sound like we're all betraying our own just because we don't run around slapping everyone we meet in the face with a fish yelling, "HEY HEY HEY!!! I'M A TRANSSEXUAL!!!"

   Hi Juliett,
   I am so sorry if you or others  have a misunderstanding about what I meant . I am active and out so that others who for reasons of their own cannot be. For people that can't be out there are other ways to help that are less conspicuous ,phone calls ,letter writing and emails are a few. 
  I really and truly understand how hard it is, from 18 to 63 not a single person around me including my wife knew. I led a double life one that made those around me  happy and one that made me happy or I should say made my mind happy. I did not know what I was but knew I could not talk about it to anyone or they would think I was some kind of pervert. I did what I had to do to survive for all those years and raise a family.
  I have transitioned where I have lived and worked for 40 years God knows how many people I know,and a lot of it is rural . You know the place where everyone knows everyone's pantie size? There are no secrets here. If my being out makes it easier for one more person around here to accept themselves then I will have done my part and I haven't used a fish but they are plentiful as I live on Lake Okeechobee in Florida..
  There is a place for everyone here, some can be activists some can be cheerleaders but the point is we all are valuable and we need to support each other.

yes, most definitely support and I respectfully refuse to disclose may age, but I was entering senior year in high school when Woodstock happened and wasn't a Hippie yet.

Quote from: stephaniec on October 19, 2014, 02:31:47 PM
yes, most definitely support and I respectfully refuse to disclose may age, but I was entering senior year in high school when Woodstock happened and wasn't a Hippie yet.

That makes you about 63.

I'm all for it. I just don't know how to help or participate. It's not enough I feel to just come out. One at a time we are easily discredited and dismissed. What can we do as group?

Quote from: Christine167 on October 19, 2014, 03:54:29 PM
I'm all for it. I just don't know how to help or participate. It's not enough I feel to just come out. One at a time we are easily discredited and dismissed. What can we do as group?

Stephanie, Christine, and friends

While we would all love a Woodstock-like event to raise consciousness, on a massive scale I think that more is gained by working at the grassroots level (not the smokable type of grass!  ;D) to change attitudes.  Things change slowly for most folk, and you can only push so much before efforts become counter-productive. 

What can we do as individuals?  Well, a huge amount actually.  Let's see:

Mentor someone:  if you've been there and lived something, you can help others. It does not need to be perfect or backed up with a legally recognised degree; it just needs to be human, intelligent and empathetic.

Take a degree and go one step further:  I'm seriously,considering doing a psychology degree with a specialisation in transgender issues. There will always be people who may need to talk to someone who has been there.

Change attitudes in your workplace:  I have gently changed attitudes in the HR departments of two major employers in my sector in Spain. A boy became a girl with no fuss or drama. That's what we want, isn't it?

There are many more.  It's certainly not easy, and does require effort, but we can all make a small difference. 

Monday will be here soon.  Let's go make things happen!

Julia

Quote from: justpat on October 17, 2014, 08:12:18 PMSo many are stealth and most likely will never have the courage to come out.

For some people, like myself, it's not a question of being brave or being a coward. I simply want to live my life and not blow it all to hell by being the token poster child in my town for the trans movement.

Sorry, but it's not going to happen.

If I did this, I would put my life in jeopardy. It does me no good if I get jumped and then beat to death OR if I take it upon myself to buy a handgun, say, someone threatens my life and I end up putting a hole in their head. That sends me to prison and my life is wasted.

Sorry, but I'm not doing it.

    So many are stealth and most likely will never have the courage to come out.Out of close to 30 girls that I know here only 3 of us are out full time  We are 65,66,and 71 those that are younger and working fear for their jobs and marriages and I do not blame them. Doing this is unbelievably difficult for all of us, what it really boils down to is that those of us who are out really need to be active in the community to gain support.
   Laura I am so sorry I offended you or anyone else here it was not my intention to. The whole context of the message stated why some are not able to actually be the person they truly are,there are circumstances beyond our control that do keep many of us stealth for our whole lives and it is a shame.
  I made a decision when I melted down at 63 to do everything possible to help our cause so that others who follow in the future might have an easier path to follow without as many problems as we face now. At 65 I really don't have anything to lose but everything to gain for our younger members just by educating those I come into contact with that we are special people . I am transitioning in an area that I have lived and worked for 40 years and boy did I raise a lot of eyebrows. I totally understand for our younger members this is almost impossible to do ,but never the less some are able to do it. I admire them because I would never have had the courage myself, now I just don't care and will continue supporting our cause for as long as God keeps me on this earth in a human form.   Patty         BTW I was stealth from 18 to 63 even my wife did not know. I have been and suffered there my whole life.

Quote from: justpat on October 19, 2014, 09:13:12 PM
Laura I am so sorry I offended you or anyone else here it was not my intention to. The whole context of the message stated why some are not able to actually be the person they truly are,there are circumstances beyond our control that do keep many of us stealth for our whole lives and it is a shame.

Well, I live my life legally as Laura. I have an F on my I.D.. So, it's all good. I am who am I and I'm not worried about that. Being trans is really a very small part of my life at this point. I'm just not down with waving the trans flag, is all. I would rather wave the flag of Portia.

I agree and I feel it's already in the beginning stages. Unfortunately for all of those reading this, social revolutions can take decades to get to the tipping point. We do have supporters out there but not yet enough to force change even if we organized. The sooner the better though, once it's done transgender kids will have information so they can identify at a younger age. Healthcare companies won't be able to write in transgender exclusions or expect us to pay for healthcare while we don't recieve coverage. There will also be more advanced surgeries and techniques once we become real people in the eyes of society and the law.