Generally most people I know don't have any problems with it as such, and believe that if it makes people happy then it is a good thing, but because I come from a rural area, it is something that most have never actually seen, and so when it is on TV, film, whichever, they still see it as something that is strange.
They are not being mean about it, but as someone who has spent alot of time with foreign students at university, it seems to me to be human nature to stop and take notice, and even point out, something that is not part of your everyday life.
Sometimes I think that unfortunately acceptance can hinge on how passable someone is. When you see documentaries on TV about young children who are living as the opposite sex, and taking medication to delay puberty, you can't help but feel a huge amount of sympathy for them and the struggle they must have to go through being born in the wrong body. When, however, you see someone who hasn't started to transition until middle age or later, and they have full secondary sexual characteristics, a weather-beaten face, and stubble showing through under make-up that no one ever taught them how to put on properly, it can be hard for most people to shake the thought that "that's just a man in a dress" and not feel slightly uncomfortable about it. I don't think you can blame people for feeling that way though, because there are a lot of systems in the brain devoted entirely to processing facial recognition, recognising gender, differentiating between children and adults, so it can take a lot of effort to use the conscious part of your brain to override everything else that it's telling you based on what you're seeing. What you can hold people to account for is how they choose to react to it; just because something makes you uncomfortable doesn't mean you have to be a jerk about it, you can choose to make the effort.
If TV is any indicator of society, then the fact that both a MtF and recently a FtM have won Big Brother should be of some comfort to the trans folk out there.
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Ananke wrote:
I personally don't have a problem. I would go as far to say I am quite jealous of RuPaul, one of the most beautiful people ever, and beautiful whether as a man or a woman, always stunning.
The only issue I have come across is in the hospital. The NHS is not well set up for transgenders, they are never really sure where to put people. For example, do they put a MTF in a male ward where they would be uncomfortable, or in a female ward, where some (especially older people) may feel uncomforable. Then you have the issue of mixed wards, for which hospitals can be fined. It is a problem that still needs resolving, but hopefully as attitudes change things will become easier.
Just about the only time I wear male underwear is when I have hospital appoitments like this Thrusday....
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Hello Sally. I have never had any 'issues' with gay people, lesbians or transexuals or anyone really. I do enjoy the company of my best friend who is gay, and another of my friends is a trans. I think that the younger generations (like myself) are more accustomed to the idea that one's sexuality and way of life is none of others' business. Feel free to talk to me about any of your concerns. I understand.
On the side of LGBT issues - as a proud bisexual woman, I find it's assumed we have it 'easier' a lot of the time than gay/lesbian identified folk - but in some ways, getting stick from some straight people AND a fair few gay people too can really suck - I know I often feel like there's no where I truly 'fit' in terms of 'normal'/gay scenes.
As for transpeople, I honestly can't think of a time someone's birth-assigned gender versus how they ID has even come up for me. Just be who you are and be nice to me and chances are I'll like you :)
Ok Ive had a few beers so this may not come out the way I want it to, So bare with....
In this country I get fed up with any kind of hate/phobia etc against gay, Lesbian, Trans, Bi, Black, Inian etc etc etc PEOPLE.
FFS its 2012!! you'ld think we were past all that crap by now but unfortunately not.
I myself on the outside will come across as a "Chavvy, Pikey, Petrol head" due to the way I dress and the scene's Im involved in, Yet the very people I am around a lot, Would probably never guess that I yearn to be pegged by my oh, Or that I enjoy anal masterbation or that I wear her knickers etc... I could go on all night.
The area we live in is sooo stuck up, Our neighbours and our sons schools staff wouyld probably look down their noses at me and think I had mental health issues...
I think a person should only be judged on their deeds and actions at the present moment, Not by who they are, how they dress , what they prefer or like sexually!
Tis a Fucked up country and world we live in!!
CHILL sed man
not all are fucked up
we are a bad arsed community of sexual deviants i love it
I'm really hoping that the world gets a lil more accepting soon because I really want to take my first steps outside en femme. Need to get some shoes first though! Hehe. I'm considering going to a christmas party at my friends all dressed up. I think that would be an interesting way to tell them that I do have a more exciting side to my life.