Why The Transgender Community Had To Take Out Susan Stanton
Filed by: Rebecca Juro
March 18, 2010 6:00 PM
http://www.bilerico.com/2010/03/why_the_transgender_community_had_to_take_out_susa.php (http://www.bilerico.com/2010/03/why_the_transgender_community_had_to_take_out_susa.php)
It's something you hope you'll never have to do, but you do it when you have to.
I watched "Her Name Was Steven" on CNN Saturday night, and it's taken me until now to decide how I want to discuss this documentary and revisit this story. I found myself somewhat closer to this story than most when it happened, in part because I'd actually met Susan Stanton at an event here in New Jersey, and because when she did an interview with the St. Petersburg Times she said some pretty awful and disparaging things about her transgender sisters and brothers and I'd blogged about it.
I disagree, but with conditions.
Of course Susan was mistaken in her initial comments about other trans persons. I think we all would recognize that. But being transgender is a journey, and many of us on the journey say things and do things that we regret later. I think that to attack her is our community shooting its wounded. Of course those of us who are asked by media or other public venues and we have to speak up for us all. But there is a way to do that and not BASH another trans-woman. I think we all need to forgive her and move on, and not keep bringing it up as though she has committed the unpardonable sin.
This trans journey is tough enough without being outed in public in the national news. When that happens it brings much pressure to bear upon the person, and every word and action becomes public fodder. Even the wise among us have encountered situations that have been difficult,
So I for one give Susan my love and forgiveness, not my judgment. Our community has had quite enough judgment to last a lifetime.
Quote from: Virginia87106 on March 18, 2010, 08:29:32 PM
So I for one give Susan my love and forgiveness, not my judgment. Our community has had quite enough judgment to last a lifetime.
I could not have said it better. She was thrust into the national spotlight before she knew what hit her. She hadn't planned on being outed. It has been a real growing experience and I wish her the best.
Kristi