Elitist, condescending Western... little trannies...

[ila]

Originally Posted by hankhavelock

......But I see absolutely no reason to believe in status quo. Trans*identity really IS coming to peoples' minds now. It'll take time but it will happen - if we team up to work for the cause.

And one major ingredient is to be out of the closet! I'm doing my own little personal "campaign" among the people that I happen to interact with. Either politically in discussions or for real when they actually meet her.......

Everyone can do their part by being as Hank says "out of the closet." I talk to my friends and co-workers about transexuality every chance I get. At first I was surprised at how accepting everyone is. I think that it's possible to change people's perceptions and views if only someone talks to them and explains his/her opinions in a calm and rational manner. It's also harder to for someone to put down a group when that person knows someone and is friends with a person who identifies with and defends that group. Now I find that the more I talk about transexuality with my friends and co-workers the more accepting they are and the easier it is to bring up the topic.

So as Hank says don't stay in the closet; discuss the issue openly and honestly with friends, family, acquaintance, co-workers, etc.

[hankhavelock]

Well said, Ila. That's the way. And we WILL meet misunderstandings. Let me give a real-life conversation that I had with a friend of mine about a year ago. It went something like this:

him: Well... how do I say this... the problem is, that you're into little boys...

me: Little boys... do you think I have sex with minors?

him: No no... you know what I mean... you were very explicit the other night... talking about being penetrated and so...

me: Ok, maybe I was too explicit, but the fact remains that that's who I am... I will NEVER hide the fact that I adore trans*woman... and they are neither "little", nor "boys"...

him: I know and understand and I totally accept it, but others in our little Danish community here now consider you weird...

me: So be it... I'll deal with that and don't you worry a second. I'll challenge them face-on and kindly make them understand the mechanism of my PERSONAL attraction.

---

Later, I've had the chance to "challenge" some of these folks who were apparently a little afraid of me, and in the end they are all just uninformed heteros with a limited imagination and thus a bias against what they cannot grasp. But once I stand in front of them, beer in hand and we're ALL friends on a Friday night, then they understand. At least they appear to.

I dunno what they say to their wives at night when they get home, but to me they are nice enough, and I've never met a single one who truly dared challenge me on my views.

And why should he? Because I'm right! I'm "good", and if they contest that they are initially "bad" and prudes. They sense that, of course.

But again, you WILL meet ignorance! When you do then be strong and reasonable and think of what is SO true to you. Once a gay guy persistently told me that trans*people are gays who just found an easier way to find straight lovers... no matter what I said he persisted. This was in a chat, so I was ready to punch my screen, but I had to realize that some people remain ignorant no matter what I say. And so be it.

BUT we can all make a difference if we are vocal and outta that idiotic closet. As Michael sang it: "Take a look at the man in the mirror..." When ever I view myself I would like to know that in spite of my faults I at least do a little bit right...

Peace!

H