Susan's Place Transgender Resources

So my old college professor, who I kept in contact with, invited me to talk with her class tomorrow for Transgender Awareness Month. I agreed solely because I want to get out my house and I haven't seen her in forever. I have an idea of what I'm going to talk about, maybe some background on why it's important for us to transition or do what we need to do then follow up with my story (how I knew I was FTM) and then open it up for questions. Is there anything else I'm missing or is this sufficient? I could use some tips since I never did this kind of thing before and I suspect this won't be the last time I'll be doing this.

You know where you came from and where you must go so you will do just fine.

Watch the questions do not open your emotions to far.

Hugs.

Only thing I can think of is watch out for questions designed to make you uncomfortable with no bearing on the subject. Never be afraid to bypass those.  :)

I agree be very careful about the questions. But most importantly, be yourself. Let them see that you are a real person and don't let anybody drag you down. I wish you the best of luck on this endeavor. Keep us updated on how it went.

Hugs,

Melissa Ann

In addition to what everyone else has already said, I would say spend some time talking about the difficulties and discrimination we face. Most people are probably aware that trans people face these things on a daily basis, but it often takes a real person standing in front of them saying it to really drive the point home.

I just came back from a talk I gave on transgender women. I felt it was very worthwhile.

Not knowing much about FtMs, I can't advise you, just to tell you to have fun with it. If people don't hear it from us, they'll hear it from somewhere else wrong, so you're doing us all an important service.

Hmmm. All right. I'll do my best, I'm quite a shy boy...

I agree with what others have said about watching out for hostile or intrusive questions. It might be good to say up front -- perhaps in a humorous way -- that you may decline to answer questions if they're too personal: about your own anatomy, for example.

I know it's a bit late, but is it possible for you to do a quick rehearsal with a friend, or with the professor? That can do wonders to get you over the shyness about public speaking.

Quote from: Tysilio on November 16, 2014, 08:23:47 PM
I agree with what others have said about watching out for hostile or intrusive questions. It might be good to say up front -- perhaps in a humorous way -- that you may decline to answer questions if they're too personal: about your own anatomy, for example.

I know it's a bit late, but is it possible for you to do a quick rehearsal with a friend, or with the professor? That can do wonders to get you over the shyness about public speaking.

I'll be fine, I have a good idea on what I'm going to say since I have a sequential outline on what's going to be said. I can speak in front of a class as if it was a college project, I'm just not a social butterfly.

you could take some time to make the anguish of being trans and the relief of transition very personal and real for your audience.
it can be a scary thing to do, to talk about the deep and dark feelings, and not only the very factual story of your life/discovery.
but that's what captivates an audience and turns trans from something they know from the tv, into a real person with a real life and real feelings.

i've seen a young woman silence high school students just by being personal about her own experience of things.
talking about her own identity in a way that makes her so vulnerable that nobody could even imagine attacking her.

not saying you should, just think about it.

Quote from: Taka on November 17, 2014, 07:10:35 AM
you could take some time to make the anguish of being trans and the relief of transition very personal and real for your audience.
it can be a scary thing to do, to talk about the deep and dark feelings, and not only the very factual story of your life/discovery.
but that's what captivates an audience and turns trans from something they know from the tv, into a real person with a real life and real feelings.

i've seen a young woman silence high school students just by being personal about her own experience of things.
talking about her own identity in a way that makes her so vulnerable that nobody could even imagine attacking her.

not saying you should, just think about it.

Yeah I silenced the crowd a bit when they asked if my parents are supportive and I said "Nope, I'm losing them." XD
But they were considerate, they didn't ask super invasive questions and some of them called me brave and thanked me for coming in.

I had alot of fun educating them and answering questions, I hope I get more opportunities to do so.

Quote from: Marcellow on November 17, 2014, 12:06:14 PM
Yeah I silenced the crowd a bit when they asked if my parents are supportive and I said "Nope, I'm losing them." XD
But they were considerate, they didn't ask super invasive questions and some of them called me brave and thanked me for coming in.

I had alot of fun educating them and answering questions, I hope I get more opportunities to do so.

Sometimes it will make people think and be a little more respectful or at least considerate when faced with some  of the things we have to give up.

I am glad it went so well for you.

Yay, glad it went well for you  :)

congrats

Well done! May this talk be the first of many.