Daily Assaults on Personal Dignity

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/daily_assaults_on_personal_dignity.php
Donna Rose
8/8/2008

As transgender people feel more and more empowered to come out of the shadows to take their rightful place as contributing and accepted members of society, incidents against us based on discrimination, hatred, and ignorance are on the rise. These incidents range from the relatively minor indignities that we often come to quietly accept as simply part of the journey, to brutal, life-threatening physical attacks.

I actually had my first thoughts of doubt yesterday at the 24 Hour Fitness where I just started attending. I have never really had a second thought about using the women's restroom and have never had any problems in doing so. However, yesterday I noticed that when I entered the women's locker room I kind of paused for a second, thinking, "What if they see me as a man trying to go into the women's room?"

It struck me then that we do live in a blanket of fear due to the oppression, misunderstanding, and indignant behavior of a lot of people. I then thought to myself, why should I have to live with this trepidation that I might get "caught" doing something wrong. I just wish that people would actually research the issues they fight so hard to protest against instead of using their personal beliefs, and what they hear in the "news" as truth.

Quote from: Natasha on August 08, 2008, 12:48:29 PM
Daily Assaults on Personal Dignity

http://www.bilerico.com/2008/08/daily_assaults_on_personal_dignity.php
Donna Rose
8/8/2008

As transgender people feel more and more empowered to come out of the shadows to take their rightful place as contributing and accepted members of society, incidents against us based on discrimination, hatred, and ignorance are on the rise. These incidents range from the relatively minor indignities that we often come to quietly accept as simply part of the journey, to brutal, life-threatening physical attacks.

I'm doing the same thing too, Natasha. I cannot let transphobes ahd bigots go around trashing and harassing transgender people. I have responded to negative op-eds from bigots. I am presently seeking an organziation that I can be active with advancing trans issues. The time has come for us to speak up and be out.

Gennee