Hi Everyone!!!
I was just wondering about a question a friend asked a few months ago.
If there are any transgender role models the trans community could look up to?
I guess one would be Calpernia Adams (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calpernia_Addams (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calpernia_Addams)) , any ideas who could be called a role model?
It was the article I read about Caroline Cossey ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Cossey (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caroline_Cossey) ) when I was 14, made me realise I can transition and be a woman one day. So she was my first role model.
Then some years later I read about Prof. Lynn Conway ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Conway (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynn_Conway) ), who is a pioneer in the technology behind modern day computer processors and she became my role model ever since. Reading about her made me realise I can be successful after my transition too. Infact that is one thing kept me focus on my studies. Also in her website there is a separate section about Successful transmen and Transwomen.
http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TSsuccesses/TSsuccesses.html (http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TSsuccesses/TSsuccesses.html)
Not that I have ever "looked" for role models, but Susan is as good of a role model as you need. She has done a lot with the forums and chat.
Off the top of my head: Billy Tipton, Susan Larson, Jennifer Finney Boylan, Anna Grodzka, Christine McGinn and Marci Bowers. A few others will no doubt come the more I think about it.
http://janetmock.com/ (http://janetmock.com/)
one of my fav is Lana Wachowski
Laura Jane Grace!
I'd consider all of the trans-girls on Youtube that I watched to be my big role models... Jesslyngirl87, Paige Abendroth, and Minorqback are probably my three biggest role models in terms of transitioning. And you know, I don't think someone needs to be a celebrity or a recognizable name to be a role model anymore. These three girls taught me two of the most important lessons that I ever could have learned... 1, that transition really was possible, and 2, that not only was it possible, it really wasn't the big flamboyant deal that mainstream society makes it out to be... you're still yourself, just female. And their videos continue to remind me that it's okay, the changes will come, and I just need to be patient. I don't need to put on a show for anyone, I just need to be myself. And I really don't think I could ask anything more from a role model.
I have looked up to people on youtube and even here on this board. But my biggest role model is a dear friend of mine who showed me transitioning was a possibility. I suppose friends in real life are different from role models, but she always was there for me and has been instrumental in all the progress I have made in this area. Personally, I see every woman who takes this on as a role model in some way. Really, it does take courage and we all have an inspirational tale to tell.
Christine Jorgensen, Dr Marci Bowers, Laura Jane Grace, and really anyone who has transitioned before me. Because without them paving the road; I don't know if I would have the courage to do it myself.
Christine Jorgensen - Hour Magazine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lDlGUeF1Bg0#)
Wendy Carlos (born Walter Carlos in Pawtucket, Rhode Island on 14 November 1939) is an American composer and electronic musician.
Carlos first came to prominence in 1968 with Switched-On Bach, a recording of music by J.S. Bach painstakingly assembled, phrase-by-phrase, on the Moog synthesizer, at the time a relatively new and unknown instrument. The album earned three Grammy Awards in 1969. Other classical recordings followed. Carlos later began releasing original compositions, including the first-ever album of synthesized environmental sounds, Sonic Seasonings (1972) and an album exploring alternate tunings Beauty in the Beast (1986). She has also worked in film music, notably writing and performing scores for two Stanley Kubrick movies, A Clockwork Orange (1971) and The Shining (1980), as well as Walt Disney's Tron (1982).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Carlos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wendy_Carlos)
My roomie Christina, keeping her last name withdrawn for safety reasons. when I first started HRT I was at an all time low, worked at a native casino, got jumped every week. fought with depression, tried to end my life several times. And she took me into her home, helped me be and feel like Teela and shed Thor. Has helped me find happiness and and the belief in a brighter future. She is like, no is my big sister. my family. here her and me are. Transgender video #31 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_iBFqsAX6E#)
Quote from: Teela Renee on May 13, 2013, 02:12:56 PM
My roomie Christina, keeping her last name withdrawn for safety reasons. when I first started HRT I was at an all time low, worked at a native casino, got jumped every week. fought with depression, tried to end my life several times. And she took me into her home, helped me be and feel like Teela and shed Thor. Has helped me find happiness and and the belief in a brighter future. She is like, no is my big sister. my family. here her and me are. Transgender video #31 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_iBFqsAX6E#)
How's Christina doing? Is she feeling a little better?
I can relate a lot with having a dear friend being a role model and big sister. It really is helpful and I couldn't imagining transitioning without having such an awesome support structure.
Quote from: learningtolive on May 13, 2013, 02:38:39 PM
How's Christina doing? Is she feeling a little better?
I can relate a lot with having a dear friend being a role model and big sister. It really is helpful and I couldn't imagining transitioning without having such an awesome support structure.
Mild pain here and there. Doing real well tho. I dont wanna highjack the thread so ill leave it at that. Thank you for asking ^_^
I have a few girls I look up to on twitter. @a_cognito @MizBrea both amazing gals that have had successful transitions. I also have found inspiration from JessylnGirl87 on YouTube
Like so many others, YouTube was the one place that provided me with role models that made me realise that it is actually really possible.
Jesslyngirl87, minorqback, Jessica Tiffany, and HarukaKei were my four main go-to channels, and I watched single episodes from various others, mainly mid to long term transition videos.
Jennifer Finney Boylan because she's funny, not self-indulgent and is able to describe the transgender experience so much better than I can. Her books have helped me explain myself to other people, and I always recommend friends and family to read her books.
Adrian Dalton is my role model. It is really uplifting to see a gorgeous transman that is so comfortable in both his masculinity and femininity. Oh, and my exboyfriend.
I too found inspiration on Youtube, JessylnGirl87, NoNittaWig (they were so gorgeous and normal, they really made me want to transition) and others..
I might get some boo;s for this... but, ok maybe not a ROLE model, but an transsexual rockstar idol of sorts?
JohnnyBoyXO on youtube. I love her attitude, even if its alot egotistical (but ya know thats what shes going for)
I think she is absolutly awesome, and has an amazing singing voice. I like to sing, and Ive never quite mastered a female singing voice.
Live It Up - Johnnyboyxo (NEW SINGLE!) (On iTunes NOW!!!) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8W8PHy9jzE#)
Not really my typical kinda music, its more that I think shes awesome.
Lea t, Isis king, Amiyah Scott, Janet Mock, these are my inspirational trans- women.
I don't know if I can say I had any specific role models but when I was around 13 or 14 I saw two trans women on Oprah or some other daytime talk show and they were beautiful (I mean really pretty) and for the first time in my life up until that point I didn't feel like the world's only trans woman. And I also realized that I wouldn't be stuck forever and I wanted to be just like them.
.
Julia Grant who was on a BBC documentary in 1979 and a few more later.I read her books George and Julia and Just Julia.In 1979 I was realising that being transexual wasn't going to go away and one day I would have to deal with it.I met her once a few weeks before I went full time
Someone on Youtube that I adore is Princessjoules or Julie Vu. I admire her and she's so gorgeous. I'm a little jealous of her.
I remember watching Dana international in the Eurovision song contest in 1998 and hearing the word transexual for the first time!!
I was so intrigued about her and that for me is why she is a bit of an idol!!!
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Fv83u7-mNWQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
You know how hard it is to find jessica tiffany on youtube? Al I find are videos about jessica or tiffany from Girl's GEneration :P
I like princessjoules, too and Chris han. There are a lot on YT.
I think (since I'm asian) I'd have to go with Nong Poy and Nok Yolada. Both Thai. Even though I'm Korean, there aren't really any role models here. They get too much surgery done and then they look bad.
Julia Child
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dallasnews.com%2Fincoming%2F20120815-e_cookbooks_2_21431599.jpg.ece%2FBINARY%2Fw620x413%2FE_COOKBOOKS_2_21431599.JPG&hash=635e609f9cd5f13a2335a8fb171944f1fd9243c4)
Complete Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome
Let me add though, another YouTube girl, who is a member here (under a different name), was very influential for me, is Charlotte, aka Karmatic1110.
http://www.youtube.com/user/karmatic1110?feature=watch (http://www.youtube.com/user/karmatic1110?feature=watch)
I really admire Emma B. on YT - her success as early-mid 30ties transitioner is impressive! I dont know if she is a member of Susan's, but she has inspired me a lot and she truly is a great woman too!
This is her YT channel
http://www.youtube.com/user/emmaisdrawing (http://www.youtube.com/user/emmaisdrawing)
Quote from: smile_jma on May 20, 2013, 04:23:47 AM
You know how hard it is to find jessica tiffany on youtube? Al I find are videos about jessica or tiffany from Girl's GEneration :P
I like princessjoules, too and Chris han. There are a lot on YT.
I think (since I'm asian) I'd have to go with Nong Poy and Nok Yolada. Both Thai. Even though I'm Korean, there aren't really any role models here. They get too much surgery done and then they look bad.
Princessjoules or Julie Vu hasn't had any surgeries, yet anyways. She's only talked about getting BA and I'm pretty sure I remember SRS too.Edit: Oh, never mind you meant in Asia. Not people of Asian decent.
Quote from: smile_jma on May 20, 2013, 04:23:47 AM
You know how hard it is to find jessica tiffany on youtube? Al I find are videos about jessica or tiffany from Girl's GEneration :P
*cough* :laugh: Ehm, yeah, I can imagine that the almost-canonical pairing from SNSD might be high on the results list when accessing YouTube from Korea.
She used to go by cuteypietiffany, but changed it after she decided on Jessica as her official female name (the channel ID stayed the same though, so cuteypietiffany should be the easiest way to find it). :)
I don't really have any role models, but I admire Fallon Fox (a professional MMA fighter), among others.
Quote from: Kelly J. P. on May 20, 2013, 03:49:28 PM
I don't really have any role models, but I admire Fallon Fox (a professional MMA fighter), among others.
I'll agree about Fox. It takes a lot of guts to be that girl.
I suppose i look up a bit to Kimberly Reed, watching her documentary "Prodigal Sons" I noticed that not only did she have her life together bit even her high school friends from the Midwest were fairly supportive. Also it was lovely to see that her family problems had nothing to do with being trans.
What about Dr. Mcginn? She is successful and seems to live a lovely life without having to be stealth.
Quote from: Jamie D on May 20, 2013, 04:31:01 AM
Let me add though, another YouTube girl, who is a member here (under a different name), was very influential for me, is Charlotte, aka Karmatic1110.
http://www.youtube.com/user/karmatic1110?feature=watch (http://www.youtube.com/user/karmatic1110?feature=watch)
Have to agree her videos are really great and useful. I would also say Ashlee Edwards, her voice lessons videos are amazing and is making it easier for me to get a better control on my voice.
https://www.youtube.com/user/letsflybutterfly (https://www.youtube.com/user/letsflybutterfly)
If I were to choose a role model for being trans (which isn't within my usual criteria which is more based on ideas and achievements) I would have to say it's Pete Burns the former Dead Or Alive singer.
Carmen Carrera is one of my favorite trans role models, I look up to her as inspiration. :)
Quote from: Hikari on May 20, 2013, 05:40:16 PM
I suppose i look up a bit to Kimberly Reed, watching her documentary "Prodigal Sons" I noticed that not only did she have her life together bit even her high school friends from the Midwest were fairly supportive. Also it was lovely to see that her family problems had nothing to do with being trans.
What about Dr. Mcginn? She is successful and seems to live a lovely life without having to be stealth.
Thank you ... I'd never heard of Kimberly Reed before. But having just watched a couple of her videos on You Tube I feel truly inspired.
Quote from: Theo on May 20, 2013, 08:23:24 AM
*cough* :laugh: Ehm, yeah, I can imagine that the almost-canonical pairing from SNSD might be high on the results list when accessing YouTube from Korea.
She used to go by cuteypietiffany, but changed it after she decided on Jessica as her official female name (the channel ID stayed the same though, so cuteypietiffany should be the easiest way to find it). :)
Yah..Accessing from Korea might have had something to do with it :P Found her under the other handle.
Quote from: SarahLJP on May 20, 2013, 07:01:16 AM
Princessjoules or Julie Vu hasn't had any surgeries, yet anyways. She's only talked about getting BA and I'm pretty sure I remember SRS too.
Edit: Oh, never mind you meant in Asia. Not people of Asian decent.
Yah, I meant in Asia though I didn't specify... Some don't, who are lucky enough to start young or just naturally don't need it, but a lot do.
I don't know if anyone has mentioned her but Jesslyn (Jesslyngirl87) https://www.youtube.com/user/Jesslyngirl87?feature=watch (https://www.youtube.com/user/Jesslyngirl87?feature=watch) also has some really cool videos especially if you are into rock and metal. I love rock so her videos are great for me. :icon_rockon:
Quote from: Alexia6 on May 22, 2013, 12:34:43 PM
I don't know if anyone has mentioned her but Jesslyn (Jesslyngirl87) https://www.youtube.com/user/Jesslyngirl87?feature=watch (https://www.youtube.com/user/Jesslyngirl87?feature=watch) also has some really cool videos especially if you are into rock and metal. I love rock so her videos are great for me. :icon_rockon:
My mom told me to watch her channel! I was kind of shocked she would do such a thing.