It's different for different folks. I know some professional activists who really take to it and love it.
Then there's me. I am basically a very private person. But the very first time I showed up at a local trans* support group, I was asked to do some public speaking as a spokesperson for trans* people. In fact, the very first trans* person I ever met after many years if being absent asked me if I'd be willing to be an activist. And I was immediately beset with requests from within the community and it's allies to do it. Lots and lots of pressure. But I am private and all I ever wanted out of life was to be stealthy and just go about my life so I refused over and over and over again.
When I lost my job, things slowly changed. I became more involved in political stuff. But my main thing was about working within the community, doing community building and trying to do something about all the infighting that goes on. I started a small support group called Maryland Trans*Unity. Within a year, it had become more successful than I ever hoped for . . . or wanted. It's now about a year and four months old and it's one of the largest Maryland/DC trans* orgs, there has been recurring pressure on me to launch it as a national organization, and the name is no longer quite accurate because we are no longer just in Maryland. Naturally that fact makes me very visible. But I still want a stealthy, blended in life. And I'd like another paying job too, which I probably will never get in my field if I'm known to be trans*. So visibility is high risk and there is no such thing as good publicity for me.
So what I end up doing is taking measures to keep my identity secret. You can find me on the Internet, but you will have to do some searching. I do public speaking and writing, but I do not allow use of my full name. I've posted articles that I wrote on this forum, but indicated that they were written by others. But I keep doing it because it's the only thing that keeps me going. And despite the hazards that come with success, I do need some success in my life right now.
I guess these are pretty abnormal things. So I cannot speak for everyone, but in guess I am not living a normal life. When the response to "hi, it's nice to meet you" is "would you be part of a panel talking about trans* issues?" I guess you might even say that means I haven't even had a chance to experience a normal trans* life. I feel like I'm in the early stages of burnout. And although doing this has had it's real benefits, I would certainly rather move on into a quite boring life and stop doing this.
