In my work I am often in the public's eye, usually standing outside my bus waiting for my passengers...

Fwiw, it felt to me like an abnormally high number of passersby made eye contact with me today, and smiled (with mouth and eyes). I got the impression that the morning's "headline" about Caitlin really made people aware of us, and in a good way.

I didn't get but a handful of angry looks, no more than usual.

Meh. I don't worry about what the public thinks. Sure, if people are cool to me, I will be cool with them. But, I don't worry about that like I did when my transition started. I never was the type to worry about the opinions of other people anyway.

They can step off cuz I'm doing the hump, G!

Quote from: CarlyMcx on June 01, 2015, 08:01:39 PM
Unless you are over 50 years old.  I was 13 when Bruce Jenner won the Olympic Decathlon gold medal in 1976, at the height of the Cold War with the Soviet Russians.  It was a big, BIG deal.  We had lost the Vietnam War a year earlier to the Communists.  America needed a hero, and Bruce delivered, big time.

You do have a really good point. It's a shame that my generation and a lot of others never got to see her earlier accomplishments and all she's been know for to us is her involvement with the Kardashians. I think this time the transgender community needed a hero and she's delivered on that which is great, I just still wish the focus wasn't always on celebrities. When there are negative issues in the community they happen to regular people. For once it would be nice if the spotlight was put on an average person who had something good come from them being trans.

Quote from: Contravene on June 01, 2015, 09:41:16 PM
I just still wish the focus wasn't always on celebrities.

To be fair, there have been an explosion in past months of stories about ordinary transgender folk (with an emphasis on children).

Any positively aimed exposure in the press for trans people is still positively aimed exposure for trans people (celebrity or not). To me, that is all that matters.

As long as the exposure remains positive it's going to help. It won't by itself cure the ignorance that many in the public have, but it will help start changing some of those misconceptions. Admire the courage she has to share her journey in such a public way.
Mariah

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 02, 2015, 06:01:36 AM
Any positively aimed exposure in the press for trans people is still positively aimed exposure for trans people (celebrity or not). To me, that is all that matters.

This is right on point.

Quote from: Jill F on June 01, 2015, 02:19:43 PM
The majority of these comments are made by the dregs of society that have nothing better to do than troll the internet all day long.   I'm thinking unemployable losers that live in their parents' basements amongst bongwater stained rugs, stacks of questionable pornography and unlaundered spank socks.

Personally, I find it hard to see them as actual people.  I can't place exactly why.

Quote from: Jennygirl on June 02, 2015, 06:01:36 AM
Any positively aimed exposure in the press for trans people is still positively aimed exposure for trans people (celebrity or not). To me, that is all that matters.

This is key. The key is POSITIVE exposure. It remains to be seen whether Caitlyn Jenner is going to be give us that but I'm trying to stay positive.

I am already growing exhausted from a few posts I've seen from my more activist friends on fb. They are picking her apart along with the media coverage.

Who are we to judge her or expect things out of her like some kind of chess piece? That is ridiculous if you ask me.

I don't think a community backlash would be well deserved. Sometimes people are way too trans radical for my tastes. Live and let live. The only person we should expect anything from is ourselves, and not try to skitch what we want from life through the life of another. Sorry, just had to vent because it was eating me and this place feels like a safe haven at the moment.

Hi All,

Not really sure what to think on this topic.  I noticed one of my daughters talking to her friend about it.  It wasn't offensive, they were just talking about how unusual the situation is.  She doesn't know I'm transgender.

My wife on the other hand does and she's asked me quite a few pointed questions about my feelings on this.  I think this has made her very nervous.  I think she believes that I could follow Caitlin's lead.  I'm sure many will but I'm not sure if this hasn't made it harder for me with all the world watching us now.  It feels even more scary.

Take care,
Paige

I am with you Paige. Really this does scare me as I am call it starting to transition and to how far not sure yet truthfully. But due to Jenner its mixed blessing yes jenner has in my opinion promoted our issues well thus far it does get funny in a sense that really some or guessing most want to be left alone to do this. Yet jenner also brings more of an understanding to most pioeple that care at least. As for wishing the average joe/jane would come into the spotlight realistically no it wont happen nor get the attention. Why average person lives their lives either in seclusion or in small community or even bigger community where the famous they live in the world community. Just a thing that is what it is.

As for jenner one thing I hope for her is that she takes this on her own time and not feel pressured that could cause problems and in turn cause problems for the view people have on the issue.

Picking her apart ya I couldn't judge her myself its just not right and ads for her comments she has stated her motives its not about the fame, the money, or attention per say its more like she has to say something but I am doing it for me that simple but yes I forced to say something since famous so she is doing something in the media for it that isn't really her choice.

I saw more negativity yesterday about her than I have in my first year combined. With that said, it was only a tiny fraction of the positive feedback I saw about her. I continue to be surprised by how much positivity shes gotten out of people. I've been putting myself out there on the internet a lot lately and I continue to be impressed by how well I've been treated. I've even had some people comment that they were shocked by the positive support they saw in reaction to my comments.

Yes the negative stuff can hurt, but its been so positive, that it gives me hope for our society.

Just remember that her journey is her own, and whatever she does or how much time it takes is her choice.

And we all get the same right to make our own transition, our own. Everyone's journey is unique, if the public gets the impression that there's "only one way to transition", then its up to us to gently clarify things.

Quote from: Contravene on June 01, 2015, 09:41:16 PM
I just still wish the focus wasn't always on celebrities. When there are negative issues in the community they happen to regular people. For once it would be nice if the spotlight was put on an average person who had something good come from them being trans.

Well, with Jazz getting a TV show, there are also avenues opening up for someone a little more out of the celebrity spotlight and there is great potential for positive representation there.

Quote from: Laura_Squirrel on June 01, 2015, 09:17:08 PM
Meh. I don't worry about what the public thinks. Sure, if people are cool to me, I will be cool with them. But, I don't worry about that like I did when my transition started. I never was the type to worry about the opinions of other people anyway.

They can step off cuz I'm doing the hump, G!

Working on it with the help of my therapist. my self-conscious issues have always made me way too concerned about what others thought of me. Which (and apologies to all) have shown in an excess of "how do I look" postings where I seek some validation. I am beginning to re-place that emphasis on myself and how I feel, which is far more valuable. I believe that is what Caitlyn is doing, despite all the media attention, and she is an inspiration.

I am also very inspired by Caitlyn!  In my experience, many people who make hateful comments are either ignorant and haven't educated themselves on issue (or have tried, but just aren't intellectual enough to understand) or they are hateful people in general.  I agree it is hard to ignore comments like that.  I try to focus on the positive comments the best I can.

Thanks for the support and +1, Beth

I will say something.

I was asked in the coffee room today by my colleagues who have seen the hate posts why are trans*people so loathed? Why can't people just accept you for being you? This from about 12 cismales and women. They all know I'm trans*.

One particular large alpha male even said that if he ever heard anyone say anything against me or other trans* people he would 'bury' them. I asked him not to, just explain that he knew a trans*person and she was just a normal woman.

Caitlyn Jenner is 'brave' yes she is privileged, yes she does have advantages. But she will also read all of the ridicule, the foul jokes and the nasty comments. Even worse than the ones we get.

Yes she has friends in high places, the world's leading photographers, leading magazine editors, powerful people in the media. If they love and accept her, they do also accept us, the community.

Powerful friends are needed, we are getting them. Let the powerful haters come out and hate and joke about us. They label themselves for who and what they are. And they will be seen for that and the backlash will occur.

I also love the T-shirt I saw today with the slogan:


<No offence meant to anyone!>

This is interesting. Because of all the Jenner news:

I came out to all the rest of my family. They were shocked but in the end they accept.

I came out to another large forum community I've been a part of for over 10 years. I expected them to support me but it's been overwhelmingly positive.

Some of my other "friends" have been saying really transphobic and really just gross things about Jenner. When I tell them I'm trans they change their tune. This leads me to conclude that the Jenner news is not really helping me. In fact it's the other way around.

Honestly I didn't expect Jenner's transition to do anything other than make her happy, and that's what it has done. As far as the community goes we still have our work cut out, but this gives us a push to be brave basically.

You know what's great about my city's online paper? You can flag hateful messages, and they go away. I suspect most papers are this way. I just flagged several dozen transphobic comments in a Caitlyn Jenner article.