Op-ed: What I Have In Common With Superman
RILEY CHATTIN, AUGUST 05 2013 4:41 AM ET

http://www.advocate.com/commentary/2013/08/05/op-ed-what-i-have-common-superman

Shortly after accepting myself and telling others that I am transgender, someone asked me, "What kind of a man do you want to be?"

It was an almost confusing question as I did not see how my social actions as a man would be different than as a woman. I would continue to treat people with respect and compassion.  Now, of course, I recognize there are social expectations of men, such as opening the door, standing to offer seats to women, elders and other elements of general male politeness.

I did not think about that question again until I saw Man of Steel, when Clark's father said to his son, "You have to decide the kind of man you want to grow up to be, Clark."

There it was again. The same question asked not only of any superhero, but one of my all-time favorite heroes, Superman.