Sometime this year, perhaps in September, I have been asked if I would be willing to be part of a panel. I would be covering mainly TS issues post transition. They already have someone who has just started out to tackle that point of view.
So I thought I would ask for everyone's thoughts on this. If you were going to hear someone speak on this particular area of the subject, what do you think should be covered?
I am thinking interpersonal relationships--those who knew before and those who never knew the old identity
Work situations and the decision to transition in place (since that is what I did, would love to hear the other side about this though)
Impact of long term HRT
SRS, the risks and decision factors
Thanks for any and all feedback. :)
What area of a topic that should be covered and the interest level of the audience will depend on the type of group you will be addressing. What is the venue?
Cassie
Talk about your life, get as personal as you feel comfortable. Tell how gender is not really a black and white issue that there is a lot of gray. If no one else has, talk about that this isn't a choice and give examples. I have always thought that the question and answer part is really valuable. Also hand out some 3x5 cards for questions that people are not comfortable asking, no names. You can answer if you like. Always tell people to be considerate of others, if you have something to say that is not right to hold their tongues and write it on the 3x5 card and you can answer it or not.
Sheila
Hey there, just me...
I've had the pleasure of taking part in two speaking engagements in the past and have just been invited to do another in March 2006 to pshrink residents who have just completed their medical training. The points you raised are great. In both of my previous sessions the audience was mostly interested in my own personal experience:
the pit falls
the highs and lows
the risks and dangers
how friends, family, and the workplace reacted and coped with my transition
etc...
There were quite a few stats compiled and included in the literature that was handed out, but as with a lot of stats they were just glazed over. The audience wanted to get down to the meat and potatoes of my transition. The whys and wherefores...
I found that the general feeling of those in attendance was that we are so unique the structured session turned into a running question and answer session. In fact there was so much interest that the session had to be closed as it was running very late.
I would advise that you work with the facilitator to find out what the purpose of the session is, who the audience is going to be, what their education level is, and what latitudes you will have, and by latitudes I mean everything from time limits to the colour of the language you can use when addressing them.
I will be talking with my facilitator this week and I relate what we discussed to you, if you like.
Steph
The venue is an educational BDSM lifestyle group.
I will know and be comfortable with most of the audience.
Even though it is an adult group, the information will be presented just as I would address a room full of corporate types.
The people are mostly very well educated, have good jobs, and open minded.
The subject will be announced ahead of time and those who are not interested will not attend.
They are currently trying to get a few different people from across the TG spectrum.
Stats would be welcome and included in any handouts.
The goal is to teach the community more about transgender issues in order to facilitate an understanding and tolerance for those in the TG spectrum.
Again, I will ONLY be addressing the issues of someone who has successfully transitioned for quite some time. I imagine the pre-transition TS gal will address a lot of what is in the SOC which is nice because it frees me up to do a bit more. A good example would be my personal experiences within the lifestyle as a TS woman who came into it after transition and the hurdles I have faced. If anyone else here is also in the lifestyle and would not mind me using an experience or two for the presentation, please reply here or PM me. Of course no names will be used.
Question and answer time will be limited to the time that is allowed for the entire presentation (about 90 minutes total with a 10 minute smoke/pee/much break in the middle).
Oh I have also been in front of large audiences since I was very young so I am very comfortable in just that aspect of this.