Friday evening my mom watched the interview with Bruce Jenner and finally understands what I'm going through. My neighbor saw the interview and understands also. Before this I have never been able to see my own future but now I see it clearer than ever. It is good and filled with light. Have faith my sisters, the light will shine on us all.

  And there you go!

Hugs, Devlyn

That's great to here. I have very much been hoping that the interview and other things would help spread the word and having a positive effect. If nothing else more people should be aware of how real this is for us, I'm glad to see the positive effects already.

Well to me just benefiting one person already makes it worth it. I'm glad for you.

My youngest sister doesn't really watch TV so its most likely not going to help her unfortunately.
My oldest sister watches all kinds of stuff and I've had more problems with her than anyone else. So I'm hoping she watched it. Maybe if she did, she'll finally understand. The sad part is I think she does. Her problem isn't as much as understanding what it means as much as rejecting it because it goes against the bible.

I was at the doctor this morning and brought up the interview.  Sparked a couple of conversations around the office.  A lot of people didn't get that it had an educational component, trying to bring light to the masses on this burgeoning hot-topic.

Opinions I heard (summarized):

1) Seen as a publicity stunt or some misguided and vain attempt to reclaim the spotlight and shouldn't be taking air time away from "REAL" issues in the world today.
2) It shouldn't have been broadcast solely because what Bruce does in his (her?) personal life should remain personal and not be aired out to the public.
3) "I'm a smart man, but I know God is smarter.  How can any one person think they know more than God and try to change who He made them out to be." (Not an exact quote, but it works best in quote format)

I really wanted to go and beat that last guy over the head with a stick and say, "REALLY!? You totally missed the point of what he was saying!"

So, sure, it will hopefully help a lot of people, as I'm hoping it'll help me one day.  I recorded it and plan to give it to my parents as a sort of, "hey, what do you think of this" gesture so I can gauge how hot the water is before jumping in. 

But, some (many?) people will remain ignorant, same as always it seems.  I didn't hear a single positive opinion in that doctor's office today.  I tried to correct some of their misconceptions where I felt it was safe to do so, but with those kinds of borderline hostile opinions, we gotta be careful who we approach.

I haven't had any serious conversations about this interview, but generally I've had very positive comments in general about transgender people. Granted I live in Huntsville which is more a representative sample of the US as a whole than it is Alabama. We were one of the few places passing out marriage licenses on day one of Alabama legalizing gay marriage.

I was even presently surprised to see a mother getting her lesbian daughter ready for prom with her girlfriend when I was getting my hair done at Ulta this past weekend. My appointment was late as a result, but I didn't care I was so happy to see that.

Woohoo for the bible belt!
/sarcasm...

North Cackalackey here. Boo....

Congrats Sabrina, that is wonderful to hear.

Quote from: Sabrina on April 26, 2015, 08:47:21 PM
Friday evening my mom watched the interview with Bruce Jenner and finally understands what I'm going through. My neighbor saw the interview and understands also. Before this I have never been able to see my own future but now I see it clearer than ever. It is good and filled with light. Have faith my sisters, the light will shine on us all.

lol
Sarcasm aside it really isn't Alabama at all (although their backwards laws do affect us unfortunately)
I've actually heard this is one of the top 10 cities in the nation for LGBT+ support.

Quote from: Tristan on April 27, 2015, 04:47:52 PM
Woohoo for the bible belt!
/sarcasm...

North Cackalackey here. Boo....

I actually heard Raleigh was one of the biggest centers for the LGBT community in North Carolina too, not sure exactly how it ranks, but since we don't have legislation on the books it sounds like a pretty big grey area.

Anyways, off-topic enough.

Go Bruce!  [emoji14]

I can't stand the "god made you this way, how dare you change that" argument, the people who use it are the same ones that when confronted with a handicapped individual will say "god put this challenge before you to test you" but of course when the challenges of your life also challenge there views of gender and sexuality suddenly its not about your struggle to rise above the frailties given to you but a horrific abomination before god.

Before the Jenner interview I was really nervous that it would turn into a Kardashian-style circus.  But the interview was treated very respectfully and she was given ample time to really help people understand what's happening.  I'm actually now feeling hopeful that this could be a good thing for us overall.


And regarding the "God doesn't make mistakes" argument.  It's actually really easy to talk to someone after they say that.  If they had a baby born with a cleft palate, would they refuse to let doctors operate because "God doesn't make mistakes?"  If they had a child with autism, would they reject therapy and specialized learning methods because "God doesn't make mistakes?"  Of course they wouldn't.

I've found most people to be reasonably accepting when the question is posed to them in that way.  It's just that the vast majority of people don't really understand us.  We barely understand ourselves sometimes.  So it just takes some patience and some educating, and a firm understanding that we can't win over everyone.

And back to the original subject.  I do think it could really help for people to have Jenner as an example.  Even if it just gets them talking about it.  Anything we can do to escape the sensationalized, Jerry Springer misconceptions about trans people, the better off we'll be.

I feel like God did put this challenge before me to test me. Based on what my dad is telling me its possible that by me coming out now, it will be easier for one of my sisters, who may end up with a child coming out, to accept later on. I honestly have no idea and I do not know this particular child as well as my dad does. (no names just in case).

What I do know for a fact is I know more people than I realized. Coming out of the closet has shined a light on our community and many of the people I know didn't know anyone that was trans. Most of them were shocked, but have taken it very positively.

Quote from: Valwen on April 27, 2015, 10:29:24 PM
I can't stand the "god made you this way, how dare you change that" argument, the people who use it are the same ones that when confronted with a handicapped individual will say "god put this challenge before you to test you" but of course when the challenges of your life also challenge there views of gender and sexuality suddenly its not about your struggle to rise above the frailties given to you but a horrific abomination before god.

I was SO WORRIED about this. I'm very grateful it didn't happen that way.

Quote from: katiej on April 27, 2015, 11:24:55 PM
Before the Jenner interview I was really nervous that it would turn into a Kardashian-style circus.  But the interview was treated very respectfully and she was given ample time to really help people understand what's happening.  I'm actually now feeling hopeful that this could be a good thing for us overall.

Quote from: katiej on April 27, 2015, 11:24:55 PM
Before the Jenner interview I was really nervous that it would turn into a Kardashian-style circus.  But the interview was treated very respectfully and she was given ample time to really help people understand what's happening.  I'm actually now feeling hopeful that this could be a good thing for us overall.


And regarding the "God doesn't make mistakes" argument.  It's actually really easy to talk to someone after they say that.  If they had a baby born with a cleft palate, would they refuse to let doctors operate because "God doesn't make mistakes?"  If they had a child with autism, would they reject therapy and specialized learning methods because "God doesn't make mistakes?"  Of course they wouldn't.

I've found most people to be reasonably accepting when the question is posed to them in that way.  It's just that the vast majority of people don't really understand us.  We barely understand ourselves sometimes.  So it just takes some patience and some educating, and a firm understanding that we can't win over everyone.

Imo explaining that being transgender has biological connections helps.
https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,186458.msg1664590.html#msg1664590
Inside is a hint to a brochure with some pictures explaining, its easily understandable.
It states that being trans has biological connections, to do with development before birth which influences the sense of self.
So its not a light hearted decision, and there are many feeling this way. Its nobodys fault, neither theirs nor that of their upbringing.
And it explains some of the feelings transgender people have.

And it might help with self acceptance.

I personally also like the twin explanation... parts of you will stay the same, like a male/female twin... with still the same sense of humour...

Transgender people have been around in all cultures.
Many of those cultures used and still use the understanding of transgender people, some of them were go-betweens, for example.
So its not exactly new, like some people think.

hugs 

  That is good news Sabrina. I don't know of any of my relatives seeing this yet. I do dress similar as Bruce does and have the same ponytail as she does and only 2 years younger.

Joelene

I just watched it a few minutes ago for the first time because I came out to another friend and was looking for something to send them that wasn't a book recommendation. You'd have to be an excessively greedy individual to go through a transition as a publicity stunt, so I don't believe that for a second. And everything he said in that interview, is something I've had to explain to the person I just came out to. I was bawling my eyes out the whole time watching it. Even the confusion and feeling like you're trying to run away from it all is something I mentioned to them.