Quote from: tekla on July 10, 2011, 05:52:24 AMThe best anyone can do is to teach people who have the desire to learn. But they have to have that desire first or you're just wasting time.
This is very true. I'm learning the difference between people who are curious and want to learn over those who don't. This is something to learn across the board on any topic. I've learned to not bother with anyone who doesn't want to know the facts dealing with anything. There's a difference between people who ask questions (about any topic) and do want to learn and those who ask questions then tune out because they'll hear what they want to hear.
What I meant more was to explain some things about being trans. I know they can't understand everything but I have found educating people who want to know has helped some. If someone has an inaccurate or false belief on something I am going to tell them. Sitting back and not correcting people on false beliefs only hurts us and encourages the stigmas. It may fall on deaf ears but maybe something- however small- got through. You do have to pick your battles though, but they're fairly obvious.
For me I live as stealth as possible but there are many people currently in my life who know I'm trans. They're the ones I'll answer reasonable questions about. I don't ever say anything that would out me around those who know me only as male and don't know my past. However, there will always be people in my life (family, friends, current & past employers and co-workers) who know.
