Great job girl! I just left a comment on your post...
Thank you Olivia for saying what needs to be said. While we may not agree on many political issues, the right to be free from discrimination should be a universal truth for the people of this country. I am a veteran and very proud of the service I have done for my country. I am a criminal prosecutor who has spent years fighting for innocent victims of crime. I am an individual who, despite being assigned male at birth because of my outward physical appearance, have now transitioned to being female to match the gender of my inner brain development. Yes, I am a member of a fairly small minority of individuals in this country who suffer from this condition. One of my childhood heroes once said something we all should take to heart:
"Live simply, love generously, care deeply, speak kindly, leave the rest to God."
― Ronald Reagan
None of us has the right to pass judgment on others that is reserved for the almighty God. You don't like the fact that I am transitioning, good for you. No one is asking you to like it any more than anyone is asking you to like any other minority group. All we are asking for is the respect and dignity that comes with being a human being in a civilized society.
I have spent my life trying to live up to the ideals of what I thought I should be based on what "looked like" and not on what I felt deep inside me. I married. I had 5 children. I worked hard to provide for my family and to protect society from the very worst elements of society. If anyone thinks I chose to give up my white male privilege to become a member of an apparently intensely hated minority group because it's a lifestyle choice, then they are crazy, not me. No, I chose to transition because I wanted to continue to provide for my children and help them grow into the strong and productive members of society they are becoming. It is very difficult to provide for your family once you are dead, and dead is what I wanted to be so many times in my life. Once I finally sought out therapy for my condition and once I began medical treatment, I discovered that there was so much more to life. I discovered what it felt like to be normal and actually look forward to living another day. In short, I no longer wanted to die, I wanted to live. I thank God every day that I have children, family, friends and an employer who know who I am (on the inside and on the outside) and give me the respect and dignity I deserve.
I did not have to live through all of the negative campaign rhetoric that existed in Houston. I do know that I have never seen, nor heard of a case of a rapist dressing in female clothes to go into a restroom to commit a rape. Most of the rapists I have seen would be horrified at the thought of doing that. Rape is crime of violence, domination and control. It would be demeaning to a rapist to have to stoop to the level of wearing the clothing of the inferior sex. I have, however, seen assaults on transgender individuals just for being transgender. So you tell me who is in need of protection. No one is asking for "special" status, all we are asking for is the respect and dignity that comes with being a human being in a civilized society.
