You're right, Valerie. "Once we are post-op" is a subjective term, and unpredictable as well. What I say my intent is today may well be altered after completion. Then again, as I stated before, my intent now is to remain somewhat engaged in support afterwards. I see now value in minimalizing a group of people who are still seeking to gain respectful recognition in our society.
I guess it's like (and I'll probably get jumped on for using this analogy, yet I feel it fits) those few black people back in the nineteenth century who by grace were granted freedom from their bondage. Did they stop helping others of their race seek freedom too, since they were now free? Did they just disappear into "normative" life? Or, did some or most of them still try to help bring freedom to more of their people? As I recall history a number of them with the help of other allies worked underground and even more overtly to end that bondage. I'm in no way equating the perils that transgender people face today to that of people who suffered through slavery. I just think the analogy is fitting in use today as a reason for ts's who make it through to continue efforts to help others make it through too. Even if that involves "embracing" the umbrella. What other tie that binds together is there going to be that can bring authenticity to such a small group of populace if not the "umbrella"?
I guess what I find most confounding in this debate is the harsh rhetoric which only seeks to devalue, debase, and divide by people such as Suzan in her blog. It serves no valued purpose other than that.
Dawn