Would you be a spokes person for trans people ?

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

We might suffer[have suffered] from the same condition GID/Gender dysphoria, but our individual journeys can differ greatly, and because of this I personally don't feel we will ever be able to speak as one unified voice...We can't even agree on what term is best to describe us....

Would you be game enough to speak on behalf of trans-people ?

Metta Zenda

[Felix]

Only on purpose and only in very carefully defined frameworks.

I really don't like it when people make assumptions against my will and hold my word to be that of all trans people.

[eli77]

No way. I always make it crystal that I am exclusively talking about my own experience, and point out that pretty much everyone else who is trans-something is going to think differently than me. Hell, nobody would want me as a spokesperson, as more than one person has pointed out on these boards. And the feeling is mutual. I don't want any of you talking for me either.

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Just imagine.....

Speaking on behalf of ="Um I think that transgender people..........."

"Hold on a minute I'm not  F'ing transgender I'm Transsexual  ! "

Speaking on behalf of ="Um OK I think that transsexual people........"

"Hold on hold on I'm not F'ing transsexual I'm transgender  !"

Speaking on behalf of ="Um [fingers crossed XX XX] I think that 'trans' people......."

"Hold your horses I don't see myself as trans, trans was the medical condition I suffered from    !" 

And so it goes.......................

Metta Zenda

[Lynn]

I'd be game to openly speak about trans issues, but would also make it clear that they are my own personal experiences and how I see things. But that's fine, nobody will ever be the same, no matter what the actual issues are, not even the goal is the same in a lot of cases.

But all that is OK though, because when someone speaks on behalf of a group of people, you likely won't be alone and there will be people joining you who will also talk about their experiences and whatnot. If someone really did want me to be a main spokesperson or anything, I'd make all my points as general as possible and do a TON of research before even considering taking the "job".

[Kelly J. P.]

 It would be difficult to speak for anyone else because my experiences are different from theirs, and theirs from each other's; however, given that I can disclaim my words noting that I can only speak from what I have been through, and what I have seen of others, I would be open to being a spokesperson.

[Nemo]

I would, only because I've been talking to a lot of trans-people over the last year or more, so it would be a case of "I personally don't feel like this, but x feels this way, y has felt that way..." Similar to Kelly

I especially want to point out to people that there's no one way to be trans - I've had friends ask "So, I suppose you feel so-and-so.." and I've replied "Actually, no, it doesn't always work like that.."

[Dane]

Definitely not.

My views are radical, I'm really odd, and I think as a person I'm too far out there to be a spokesperson for anything. The media would use me to prove X group are all insane weirdos with no social skills. I don't represent the most popular views of any group, so I'd fail. xD

[Shana A]

I've done occasional Trans 101 presentations at some churches and businesses, and often talk w people one on one about my transition, etc. Whenever I do this, I always emphasize that this is my unique experience and opinion, and that other trans people might have very different experiences and opinions.

Z

[Julie Marie]

I've done it several times and I will do it again.  I'm very careful about what I say and make sure the listeners realize that, like any "group", there is no one set of rules that apply for everyone.  I'm there to educate and that's what I do. 

And I also make sure that the audience knows the negative stigma prevents many of us from being ourselves.  When I did that at a LGBT event, I got a lot of nods from the audience.  Social pressure is very affective when coupled with discriminatory practices.

The way I see it, if there is someone who wants a speaker from the trans community, there is no one better than the person they are asking to speak, when it's you they are asking.  I have always felt an obligation to accept those requests.  If I don't do it, they may get someone who will screw it all up. 

[Torn1990]

Kia Ora,

We might suffer[have suffered] from the same condition GID/Gender dysphoria, but our individual journeys can differ greatly, and because of this I personally don't feel we will ever be able to speak as one unified voice...We can't even agree on what term is best to describe us....

Would you be game enough to speak on behalf of trans-people ?

Metta Zenda

Well speaking for ourselves as trans people is still wonderful. It represents our opportunities in positions of power that a voice allows.
  But you're right we are all different in some way, so it can be problematic!
Actually, not all trans people suffer from the medical term dysphoria or gid. Dysphoria and GID is a medical term that is abused by some doctors so that some people can't access hormones. So even trans people can differ in that way. Feeling like you are the opposite gender is different from a diagnosed mental condition. It's unfortunate that trans people have to prove themselves as trans or become diagnosed to be who they really are.
so you are right, we can't really elect a trans person to speak for everyone but their story still represents our community in some way that can be beneficial. I think it's important for us to be activist's in every way we can so we get the varied messages out there.

[Anatta]

Well speaking for ourselves as trans people is still wonderful. It represents our opportunities in positions of power that a voice allows.
  But you're right we are all different in some way, so it can be problematic!
Actually, not all trans people suffer from the medical term dysphoria or gid. Dysphoria and GID is a medical term that is abused by some doctors so that some people can't access hormones. So even trans people can differ in that way. Feeling like you are the opposite gender is different from a diagnosed mental condition. It's unfortunate that trans people have to prove themselves as trans or become diagnosed to be who they really are.
so you are right, we can't really elect a trans person to speak for everyone but their story still represents our community in some way that can be beneficial. I think it's important for us to be activist's in every way we can so we get the varied messages out there.

Kia Ora Torn,

You make an interesting point...Some are fortunate enough not to suffer any dysphoria,[well very little if they do] they are normally the ones who have the support from the onset...Or their gender identity did not[in a negative way] greatly impact on their daily lives, I guess it's when Mother Nature starts to turn up the pressure to change that their dysphoria might starts to kick in more ...This sort of being the case for me, I kept my dysphoria in check for many years with prescribed tranquilizers...

Normally when I've spoken publicly about trans-issues,[Well in letters to the local paper] I stress the "Some do/feel this-Some don't-Some experience this -Some don't etc "...But as of late I've not been active on the trans front apart from this forum.....

Metta Zenda  

[Torn1990]

Kia Ora Torn,

You make an interesting point...Some are fortunate enough not to suffer any dysphoria,[well very little if they do] they are normally the ones who have the support from the onset...Or their gender identity did not[in a negative way] greatly impact on their daily lives, I guess it's when Mother Nature starts to turn up the pressure to change that their dysphoria might starts to kick in more ...This sort of being the case for me, I kept my dysphoria in check for many years with prescribed tranquilizers...

Normally when I've spoken publicly about trans-issues,[Well in letter to the local paper] I stress the "Some do/feel this-Some don't-Some experience this -Some don't etc "...But as of late I've not been active on the trans front apart from this forum.....

Metta Zenda

Yeah definitely. i mean, i do believe those trans people still can struggle, i just think that we as the trans community have coined and empowered the word dysphoria and it has brought us closer so in conversation we can use that word and it allows us to relate with each other. The word dysphoria brings tension that we can identify with, but to say that we all suffer from the medical term that doctors want to diagnose us with definitely can mis represent the community and its a gate keeping problem. Alot of trans folk that are activists hate the word, but i think we can empower these like terms. 

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

"I just think that we as the trans community have coined and empowered the word dysphoria!"

It's funny really because for many their dysphoria    turns to euphoria    during or shortly after they transition-then for many like myself it levels out somewhat=mundane  ...But mundane's good...

Metta Zenda

[Lexicaligari]

You know I did this years and years ago, in the late 1980's when folks were not nearly as hostile, intolerant, and fearful. It was even before there was an Inter-Webs or even electronic Bulletin Boards! Sadly, these days we hear stories of on line stalking and harassment.
The setting was a panel discussion several times a year to speak to University students on a Psychology degree path. The goals was expose students to Gender folks and their issues, while still an undergraduate. Several of the professors were leaders in research at the Kinsey Institute, and it was a wonderful feel-good experience of trying to be helpful to the "Cause". Afterwards, we would all go out for coffee and pie.

As far as I can tell all such programs have gone away. And I doubt that even if such panels could be organized on campuses without the needing of ALOT of security. I wonder, after such a panel discussion to undergraduates, if we would have to be escorted to our respective cars for our personal safety. I'll bet there wouldn't be any coffee and pie.

[Jayne]

Surely every time one of us answers a question about our problem/condition we are being a spokesperson for the community.
I'm always carefull to point out when i'm talking about my personal experience & when i'm talking about other peoples experiences, there are some things that seem universal such as the problems we can face when out in public dealing with ignorant or drunk people or the difficulties faced when dealing with our health care providers but I still remind people that everyone faces different hurdles.

One woman I work with has said that it's really good that i'm so approachable as the people at work feel at ease around me because of my good sense of humour & honesty.

So in answer to your question, yes I would be a spokesperson & risk having to tiptoe through the minefield, if everyone refused to speak out then the public would remain ignorant about us forever. It took some very brave women to secure the right to vote, it took some very brave gay people to change the publics opinions & if nobody speaks out then we will forever be banging our heads against a brick wall (or hiding in our rooms).

If you don't shape the world around you then you can't complain when the world changes into a place you don't like because other people stood up to be counted

[Anatta]

Kia Ora,

Just out of interest...In a couple of paragraphs or less [in a nutshell so to speak] if you had to be a spokesperson for the trans-community how would you approach this most delicate of topics ?

Bearing in mind Abe Lincoln's famous words "You can please some of the people some of the time-but not all of the people all of the time!"

"Different strokes for different folks!"

Metta Zenda

[Mahsa Tezani]

I'd be a spokesperson for my kind of transperson.

But no, they need someone nerdy to lead them...Like those Trans-Ponder eccentrics/

[Kreuzfidel]

I wouldn't as I'm opinionated and still have a great deal to learn - even if I knew all there is to know, I still wouldn't.  I see "trans spokespersons" as being akin to religious spokespersons, especially Neo-Pagan spokespersons.  There are so many subjective beliefs and deeply personal convictions within both self-identity and religion/spirituality that any attempt to make statements which speak for the whole of such communities would be nothing more than a likely erroneous generalisation.

[N.Chaos]

Not in a million years. I'm not exactly open about it, and I think I'd make a godawful spokesperson for just about anything.