Whatever...

 

Well I have spoken to many people and received positive upon positive comments and for that, I'm very grateful at peoples understanding of me and being transgender. I have had continuing strange comments from American's, despite explaining, many times I have received a "whatever" a couple of times from them, and whatever makes you happy...

 

Well that "whatever" hurts sometimes as it can translate to me as you do not understand and you feel you do not need to understand, It of course can mean "cool whatever I'm OK with that" but to be honest I didn't perceive it as being given that way. Perhaps the person would be happier if I stayed sad and very unhappy on the edge of suicide or even dead, Just to make them feel that it’s all fine and dandy in their world of black and white. I don't know.
However, let us face it that is never going to happen with me, as I am proud to be whom I am and I’m dam determined to make a difference in this world however small it turns out to be I'm here for a reason.

For many people, the terms “gender” and “sex” are used interchangeably, and thus incorrectly. This idea has become so common, particularly in western societies, that it is rarely questioned. We are born, assigned a sex, and sent out into the world. For many people, this is cause for little, if any dissonance. Yet biological sex and gender are different; gender is not inherently nor solely connected to one’s physical anatomy.

 I personally consider the human race to be a spectrum of colours with biological gender occurring across a continuum of possibilities. This spectrum of anatomical variations by itself should be enough to disregard the simplistic notions of a binary gender system.

 

I read recently the Mormon church in Utah still doesn't accept same sex marriage, so being Transgender is not addressed either, this is sad for sure as many Mormon kids who are transgender find life so hard and look towards suicide as a way out, this shouldn't be the case should it. If we take it in a semi religious context and assume that God, Allah, the Almighty... doesn't make mistakes it then means Transgender is not chosen, but one of his wonderful creations? It a sad fact most members of the Utah-based faith know little or nothing about what it's like to be transgender many do judge and reject transgender loved ones.

 

One person Annabel Jenson who lives in Utah and is a transgender Mormon said: 'One of my brothers sent me a text calling me a monster. I miss my family, but I don't want to visit. As it's become too painful.' Annabel is estranged from her parents and siblings, now lives alone. We know that some people are born with ambiguous genitalia or with both - it is possible for a perfect feminine soul to end up in a male body or a female mind in a male body and vice versa.

 

The biblical saying goes "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her." (John 8:7)

 

When God created man, he made him in the likeness of God. (Genesis 5)

 

Therefore, to be told "whatever" can and does means much more to someone who is struggling through life, being transgender is not a choice for all who identify as Trans. We are not monsters and in fact, we are vulnerable people struggling very hard with our lives, juggling commitments and responsibilities just the same as everybody else but with a bigger burden to carry and see through.

 

I know I'm lucky as my direct family understands and are standing by me 100%, which puts me in a very special place... but my thoughts go out to all who are having to make this journey of theirs alone. My message to you is just stick with it and be strong as there are people who care, you might not have met them yet, but they are out there.

 

on a more sober note please have a look at these stats below:

 

·  36% have lost their job due to their gender.

 

·  55% have been discriminated against in hiring.

 

·  29% have been denied a promotion.

 

·  25% have been refused medical care.

 

·  60% of the trans women that have visited a homeless shelter reported incidents of harassment there.

 

The US National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs' report of 2010 anti-LGBTQ violence found that of the 27 people who were murdered because of their LGBTQ identity, 44% were trans women

 

In Conclusion

Perhaps the most fundamental aspect of a person’s identity, is gender this alone deeply influences every part of one’s life. In a society where this crucial aspect of self has been so narrowly defined and rigidly enforced, individuals who exists outside its norms face innumerable challenges.
Even those who vary only slightly from the norm can become targets of disapproval. Yet this does not have to be the case forever. Through a thoughtful consideration of the uniqueness and validity of every person’s experiences of self, we can develop greater acceptance for all. Not only will this create greater inclusion for individuals who challenge the norms of gender, it will actually create space for all individuals to more fully explore and celebrate who they are.