I'm tired of this! Families are ripped apart! Friends ripped apart! Acquaintances too! And why? Well, there are many reasons but the 3 biggest are

1. Religion

2. Misinformation/fear mongering and such

3. They simply don't understand for whatever reason (Such as not being informed to begin with)

There may be more but those are the biggest reasons why people treat us trans people so badly! Why ripping apart happens! Why getting help including from the government is so dang hard! and then some! I am sick and tired of knowing, even seeing a story online that I come across where someone's family is treating them badly, not helping them, hurting them, making things harder/worse than they need to be! (I want them to post those stories though, just want this world to change!) It shouldn't be this way and it DOESN'T have to be! Surely there are ways people can be informed world wide? I think of the news, news paper, YouTube, and other such big media's wear we and I mean WE can voice the truth! If something like YouTube, well, it's going to take all of us! I am just tired of this idle waiting game! Change doesn't happen unless WE the people step up, make the matter known and go about changing it!

To any/all here, please, find SOME WAY to get the truth out! If you have facts, not just an explanation of how you feel, then that'll further help. (Such as what being trans is known to do to people as an example like for instance the HIGH suicide rate) If you've read the bible, make it known what you found, didn't find and so on! (Example, God approves of Eunuchs, so why wouldn't he approve of trans people too!?) If you have some other means/way of expressing the truth, DO SO! Just please, don't sit idly by waiting for change to happen! If you think someone else will do it and you don't have to, YOU ARE WRONG! That mindset is EXACTLY WHY we haven't had much change in the first place. Now, I'm not saying out yourself, I mean, you can find ways to do this anonymously if you aren't willing to out yourself, such as YouTube. (Of which, you don't have to speak, just put up typed words that people can read in the vid) Really there are MANY ways of which to spread the word! If you know someone who supports you,/trans people, try getting them to help you, gather ideas from many people, just PLEASE, do something to help out! Even if it's small, you don't think it'll help, do it, it WILL help, even if it's only 1 or a few people who it reaches, that in turn will start a chain reaction and like a domino effect, will get better with more momentum, but, don't stop, don't give up, keep going!

I'd like to REALLY dedicate this thread for us to work together, to figure out ways to spread the word, so, if you have ideas, advice, facts, etc., post it please. Let's work together and change this world into a FAR better world, one in which, we can live as ourselves. Now, it won't happen over night, Rome wasn't built in a day after all, and it may take years to do, but, with enough of us, this world WILL become a better place for us to live in.

Now, I'd like for us to work things out (Come up with plans) before I set a date for this but, what better way to spread the word than with a world wide simultaneous event that happens at the same time!? Think about it, if we all contribute something, especially if others from other sites also help with this, we can hopefully gather enough "force" which will hopefully have enough impact to really get the world to notice our movement! That in turn will help our cause and make things more easier to accomplish. If any of you know of news papers/stations that'll let you talk about this topic, do your best to get this onto your news/paper! But, preferably we should start on a date at which we all do this at once. (News though might have to happen after the event date though do to how long it might take them to get it into the cast/paper)

Maybe I'm crazy, maybe I'm foolish for thinking anyone will help out with this, and maybe, just MAYBE, this is all for nothing, but, "I have a dream!" A dream in which a world accepts trans people and doesn't discriminate against us! A world in which, we are free to be ourselves on the bus, school, at work and yes, at home too! This very dream that I have, one can compare similarities to one (1) Martin Luther King Jr. who likewise also had a dream in which, he envisioned a world where blacks weren't discriminated against, in where you could ride the bus with whites, in where you could go to school and so on and be treated equally to whites and not fear getting hurt or worse, killed! And, did his dream come true? Yes, by some chance/miracle it did and this world is a far better place, but it wouldn't have been, if not for that one man and, all those who helped make his dream a reality! So I kindly ask you all, please, help make this world, an even better place to live by doing anything/everything you can, to get the truth out and to make the public aware of that truth! Lastly, don't stop, never give up, hang in there and, stay safe everyone! And don't forget to share this post/thread!

The biggest problem to getting the word out and educating people is that so many want to live in absolute stealth. I don't see how that is really possible now though in our current information society where records are tracked and online for the world to see. A lot of people do not know that when you change your name it is accessible online. So many other records are as well. Until this community decides it has had enough hiding and making up stories about their past change will just not happen. I myself am VERY visible to the public. I do work here, in cooperation with my real life support group and anyone who has questions. I am visible so others can remain hidden. What we need are a few more like Cindy and the high profile stars in the news now. I believe if we all stood up and were actually counted we would have incredible numbers and the politicians would have no choice, but to pass favorable legislation for us. 

I think change will happen in time. Am I waiting for it? No. I just know it will, I have my freinds. And my family and still meet new freinds, "trans is my favourite subject" I love being asked questions, some of these questions might be considered rude and offencive to some. But the way I see it is, how can they learn if no one answers the questions they want answering.

You see with people that is,  nobody likes being told what to do or say. So telling sombody about me won't have the same affect as exsplaining myself to somebody who is intrested. Bottom line is, if sombody doesn't want to hear what you have to say, then no matter how hard you try no massage will be heard. Or will it? What if they would hear the message if it wasn't from you? So exsplain to the intrested and over time the true picture will weave its way through the social structure.

But with media you have to be carfull, people have a way of redirecting you point In a different direction. Hightlighting a few choice words to paint a different picture. Think that's not so good of an idea. What we need to do is find freinds, get out be active. Let people get to know us. The more people know us the more waight we will have..

@Jess: (Hope calling you Jess is ok?) Anyway, I didn't know that however, I wasn't talking about revealing who we are to the world. I mean, correct me if I'm wrong but, unless a hacker comes along or you choose to do so then, no one will know who you are online nor can they find you in real life simply from using sources like a forum, blog, YouTube etc. There is PLENTY of anonymous ways even irl to be able to get the word out.

@BV: And it's great that you have friends and more so family there for you, but many of us don't, especially when it comes to us being who we really are. And, if we keep waiting then its going to take like 50 years for society world wide to accept us finally, for rights to happen and so on. (Again, world wide) It is time for us to quit doing nothing and start taking initiative to make this world change and, even if all the buzzing we create does nothing but gets their attention, that isn't a wasted effort, it shows them we're here, gives them a FAR better idea of how many of us there are and so on.

As for Media, hate to break it to you but ANYTHING I, you, or anyone says can ALWAYS be redirected back at you and twisting of stories etc. Let me give you just 1 small example of what I mean by this and how I found this out the hard way. I've had many talks with my Dad, when it comes to me being who I am, transgender, transitioning etc. I tell him how it really is (Such as the cold hard facts of what being trans is/means and such) and because he sets "conditions" for me to do anything with the family or for him to do anything for me, if I object, he blames me and throws back and says, sorry, it's not my fault, it's your fault for choosing this. (Fyi, he uses religion as an excuse and such and is overly religious) Even so, even without religion involved (As he's just using it as an excuse/escape the reality thing) what he said there is exactly what I mean that anything anyone says period, can always come back on them and they blame you as the reason for it. Media or no media. If you're going to let something like that stop you from standing up for our rights, or from keeping you from doing something to help make the world notice trans people and understand them better and know the truth etc. then, well, I'm sorry but, that is just sad in all honesty. We face enough as it is, compared to all that, this shouldn't be that big of a deal/concern and also, even if words come back at you, it's not like you have to sink to "their" level and respond back, sometimes, silence is the better answer. (Sometimes & in regards to after already having said something which netted a response from others)

At this point, as I said, maybe I'm crazy for thinking anyone will do anything in regards to this thread, and that we can gather people here and host a world wide event, maybe but, you can't blame a girl for trying which is ALWAYS better than doing nothing.

I'd like to see us take our cue from the National Organization of Women, the NAACP and various other groups who made it their business to see to it that the rest of the world understood.

We need one of those for trans people.

This is a great idea..! 

Is there a list somewhere here of good organizations where theres lots of info, and groups we can support and share links to..?
I mostly am here and Facebook and Tumblr.. On my Facebook I post lots of trans everything, theres really no way to not get a message
from my page. https://www.facebook.com/mark.floridaboy and having about 2/3rds CIS friends, I think it's a little help..?

I know that religion is changing a little bit.. There are a lot of trans and gay friendly /accepting /afirming churches now, but there seems to be
little we can do to speed that up.?

Misinformation and fear mongering) I wonder if that is more prevalent in some parts of the country, and in some parts of cities, than it is in others.?
But there is a lot of media attention now on Trans actresses, singers etc. who all seem to be eager to give interviews and talk about being transgender and transitioning,
I think that is helping a lot also..

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 20, 2014, 01:36:32 PM
I'd like to see us take our cue from the National Organization of Women, the NAACP and various other groups who made it their business to see to it that the rest of the world understood.

We need one of those for trans people.

I agree.

As much as the GLBT groups help us, they seem to be focused more on GLB and marriage. T seems to be just an afterthought.

We need a transgender specific organization.

It needs to be a big tent, including youth, late transitioners and it must be non-partisan and diverse.

Quote from: Shana-chan on September 20, 2014, 02:15:30 AM
I'm tired of this! Families are ripped apart! Friends ripped apart! Acquaintances too! And why? Well, there are many reasons but the 3 biggest are

1. Religion

2. Misinformation/fear mongering and such

3. They simply don't understand for whatever reason (Such as not being informed to begin with)

you forgot psyciatry and nationalism.
------------
i'm abit confussed on what ecactly your plain is? like what is the truth you want out all clear?
if you want to do activism it easy, you can join other groups doing so, you can also make one yourself with friends and so and let members join you, or make a group within another group. exemple a trans activism group in a glbt organisation.

I admit like others have said you should be carefull with the media. being someone who have been in the media myself a few times I will say it dosen't nessesarry benefit much or for the best, sure attention is better than no- attention but somethimes No attention can be to prefern.

OK I will wade in.

Shana-chan you are wonderful

Since my TV appearance I am now regularly recognised and talked to in the shops and even in the street - everyone has been wonderful and supporting, to a point that people ask me if anyone has been non supportive and if so they are narrow minded fools - this from cis men and women.

LGBTIQ organisations. I met with the largest organisation in Aus on Thursday afternoon, they are a NGO and spent over $5k to fly in their heads to meet me. They have been very negative to TG and obstructive to my conference www.anzpath.org

They realised that I am going to work to defund them and spend their money on TG organisations - they were terrified that they will lose their positions. They will.

We are where G&L were 15 yrs ago, in 5 yrs we will be mainstream.

So what do we do? Keep spreading the word, letters to newspapers, letters to politicians, letters to religions, take them on; take them full on.

If you are strong enough go public, you may be be vilified, so what. Turn it around and treat the ignorant with politeness and calmness. Let the world know that we are not monsters but normal loving people. It gets through!


People do care, the majority of people want to help in some way so we work to let them help us by being out and public.

And when someone says 'you are so brave' tell them no, tell them that I realised that I was just so scared of living a lie, tell them that I've had enough of my brothers and sisters suiciding, tell them that no child is going to grow up in the life that I had.

Tell them 'I'm trans* and I am proud'

And be proud; because we are.

We have nothing to be ashamed off.

Quote from: Natkat on September 20, 2014, 03:54:16 PM
i'm abit confussed on what ecactly your plain is? like what is the truth you want out all clear?

Here is what I'd like every person to understand:

* We didn't choose to be transgender. We're wired this way.
* Being transgender doesn't make us "crazy" or incompetent. We're good at our jobs, decent citizens, caring parents, and moral people.
* It is not compassionate to deny or obstruct our right to live as our identified gender. In fact it's evil, as is any religious teaching that encourages that.
* Preventing children from expressing their identified gender is CHILD ABUSE, on par with and as damaging with any other type of child abuse.
* We need safe access to restroom facilities everywhere. This is best done in facilities that match our presenting gender.
* Transgender people whose physical characteristics make their gender history obvious by looking at them are no less deserving of civility, equitable treatment, and access to facilities and services than those whose history is not obvious from their looks.
* Genital configuration does not determine gender. Those whose genitals are at odds with either their gender identity or physical presentation are still full members of their identified gender.
* Our safety and well-being depends upon access to documentation that reflects the gender in which we live.
* There are many different stories and many different paths that transgender people travel. Not all of us conform to the profiles that the media cover. An unusual narrative doesn't make treatment any less a necessity.
* Our transitions do not require medical oversight. Our right to transition and live as our identified gender is not subject to veto by care providers. Medical input should be limited to ensuring safe use of medication and surgery and psychological diagnosis and counseling when we ask for it.
* We are loving, affectionate, sensual romantic partners and our status as transgender makes us no less desirable than cisgender members of our identified gender.

Yes. We have A LOT of work ahead of us.

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 20, 2014, 04:54:20 PM
Here is what I'd like every person to understand:

* We didn't choose to be transgender. We're wired this way.
* Being transgender doesn't make us "crazy" or incompetent. We're good at our jobs, decent citizens, caring parents, and moral people.
* It is not compassionate to deny or obstruct our right to live as our identified gender. In fact it's evil, as is any religious teaching that encourages that.
* Preventing children from expressing their identified gender is CHILD ABUSE, on par with and as damaging with any other type of child abuse.
* We need safe access to restroom facilities everywhere. This is best done in facilities that match our presenting gender.
* Transgender people whose physical characteristics make their gender history obvious by looking at them are no less deserving of civility, equitable treatment, and access to facilities and services than those whose history is not obvious from their looks.
* Genital configuration does not determine gender. Those whose genitals are at odds with either their gender identity or physical presentation are still full members of their identified gender.
* Our safety and well-being depends upon access to documentation that reflects the gender in which we live.
* There are many different stories and many different paths that transgender people travel. Not all of us conform to the profiles that the media cover. An unusual narrative doesn't make treatment any less a necessity.
* Our transitions do not require medical oversight. Our right to transition and live as our identified gender is not subject to veto by care providers. Medical input should be limited to ensuring safe use of medication and surgery and psychological diagnosis and counseling when we ask for it.
* We are loving, affectionate, sensual romantic partners and our status as transgender makes us no less desirable than cisgender members of our identified gender.

Yes. We have A LOT of work ahead of us.

An important omission to this list:

* Everyone deserves a body that is whole. Medical intervention to bring the body in alignment with gender, therefore, should be considered medical necessity when requested.