Transgender awareness
Heather Jackson
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Opinion
Again, if someone has a vulva, this does not mean they will identify as a woman. There are various surgeries and other means that people can do to transition.
I am not a trans/gender/sexual individual so I certainly cannot speak for them. The best thing I can do is support them. I can educate myself on these issues. I can ask them what they want or need, create solidarity, and let them know that I am a supportive ally (if they want that). I can take the initiative to not victimize them, take it upon myself to become educated and aware of these issues, and not use them as a shield to pretend I know so much about them, i.e. "I have six transgender friends so I know SO MUCH about them!"
Trans individuals are denied many rights a lot of us take for granted. They are treated as though they are "circus freaks," they run into financial issues because of the cost of transitioning and often insurance does not cover the costs, they need professional approval for transitioning, and they go through lengthy legal issues because of name and birth certificate ordeals.
Other issues may arise that others (and myself) may taken for granted such as going to gendered bathrooms, having a sex life, dealing with old photographs, the way one's voice sounds, dealing with gendered words such as daughter, father, or sister, using an identification card, or taking showers at a gym.
Students on this campus may be trans/gender/sexual. Most students are not. For the students who are not, tolerance is NOT acceptable. Tolerance assumes that people are "others" and this does give room to looking at ourselves as a part of the power and oppression. Trans individuals are not "others." They are human beings. The biggest step we can to do is to support people who are trans and to become aware of their experiences.
We can do what I mentioned above, participate in events on campus and elsewhere, and call out people who make anti-trans jokes. For the students who ARE trans/gender/sexual on campus, I am here to support you and be an ally in whatever way you choose.
I am not a trans/gender/sexual individual so I certainly cannot speak for them. The best thing I can do is support them. I can educate myself on these issues. I can ask them what they want or need, create solidarity, and let them know that I am a supportive ally (if they want that). I can take the initiative to not victimize them, take it upon myself to become educated and aware of these issues, and not use them as a shield to pretend I know so much about them, i.e. "I have six transgender friends so I know SO MUCH about them!"
Trans individuals are denied many rights a lot of us take for granted. They are treated as though they are "circus freaks," they run into financial issues because of the cost of transitioning and often insurance does not cover the costs, they need professional approval for transitioning, and they go through lengthy legal issues because of name and birth certificate ordeals.
Other issues may arise that others (and myself) may taken for granted such as going to gendered bathrooms, having a sex life, dealing with old photographs, the way one's voice sounds, dealing with gendered words such as daughter, father, or sister, using an identification card, or taking showers at a gym.
Students on this campus may be trans/gender/sexual. Most students are not. For the students who are not, tolerance is NOT acceptable. Tolerance assumes that people are "others" and this does give room to looking at ourselves as a part of the power and oppression. Trans individuals are not "others." They are human beings. The biggest step we can to do is to support people who are trans and to become aware of their experiences.
We can do what I mentioned above, participate in events on campus and elsewhere, and call out people who make anti-trans jokes. For the students who ARE trans/gender/sexual on campus, I am here to support you and be an ally in whatever way you choose.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 4
Trans Lover
posted 11/22/09 @ 7:18 AM CST
After a long night of making love, this guy rolls over, looks and notices a framed picture of another man on the nightstand by the bed. Naturally, the guy begins to worry. (Continued…)
yucky
posted 11/24/09 @ 1:41 PM CST
that sucks
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