Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jess Schonberg on June 28, 2011 at 2:32pm

I absolutely am for gender reassignment. I have several trans* friends, and I can't imagine being so hard-hearted as to basically force them to stay trapped living a lie.

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Permalink Reply by Todd on June 28, 2011 at 11:25pm

I know we're dealing with really important topics here like how to explain the existence of transgendered people from an evolutionary perspective, whether transgendered people should be "allowed" to have surgery, and on and on.

 

But, maybe we could all take a short break from these lofty discussions to consider another matter?  Namely, what the fuck do YOU intend to do about this: Results of the National Transgender Discrimination Survey.  Anything?  No?  Well, that's okay.

 

I'm sure all the transgendered people in the world will be happy to hear the outcome of this discussion.  Maybe not the ones who are too busy being fired from a job, or brutally beaten, or murdered.  Maybe not the 19% who reported that they have been denied medical care, or the 3% who were physically attacked while they were in a doctor's office or hospital emergency room.  They might be a little preoccupied right now.

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Permalink Reply by Kris Feenstra on June 29, 2011 at 1:45am

What do I intend to do about that? Typically more than angrily post links to web forums. Don't get me wrong, I think that it's a very informative link and makes a salient point, but now that you've scored that point, what did you do and do with it?

It's great to say 'What you do plan to do?', but kind of rings hollow when you've offered no suggestions on what people actually can do.  I don't think you should be surprised that many people don't really know what they can do.  When it comes to LGBT issues, there's a lot of talk about the L and the G, but the BTTQQ2-S groups don't tend to get much air time.  

For instance, the last Bill proposed in Canadian Parliament to deal with gender identity and expression protections made it to senate, but was crushed by the federal election.  In order for Bill C-389 to pass now, it would have to be reintroduced as a new bill (I believe) and face a parliament that is comprised of a Conservative majority.  Unlikely that it would get through.

Now, I do think most Canadians would support such a bill and the Conservatives might actually cave to that pressure, but most of them don't even know it exists.  Most Canadians know very little about transgender issues in this country.  That's probably because they don't know anyone who openly expresses any unconventional sexual identity.  Most Canadians can barely seem to process issues that do directly impact their lives, and the information on issues facing the trans community is typically not in their face.  

There's very little dialogue about these issues.  When there is, everyone is searching so hard for the correct thing to say that they often end up saying nothing.  And saying nothing is probably much worse in this scenario then saying the wrong thing.  When people say nothing, it's hard to segue into any of the trans community events that go on, legislation that is currently circulating, charities that exists or just provide general information and advocacy.  Many people simply lack awareness, but that doesn't mean they have bad intentions.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on June 29, 2011 at 4:07am

Uhm, I plan to NOT beat up transgendered people.  Those who are most likely to be mean/violent to transgendered people are typically also homophobes and don't understand the difference.  I challenge homophobes about their views every single time I encounter them - and I've got on jerk in a facebook debate right now over his writing that Christians should "lock & load" because of the NY Gay marriage bill.

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Permalink Reply by Daria Black on June 29, 2011 at 10:43am

@Todd

 

WTF is up with the chip on the shoulder? It's a discussion on an internet forum. People are trying to understand where they and others sit on the subject of sexual reassignment. Some people can come to an understanding about a subject by discussing it with others. We get that transgendered people are being victimized just like homosexual people, ethnic minorities, atheists, people who are obese/overweight...pretty much anyone who does not fit into the dominant culture.

 

If people can't talk openly about these subjects then they will just fester in silence and darkness which is worse because that breeds ignorance, assumptions, and can result in very bad situations. For the longest time people didn't talk about homosexuality and gay people were victimized. Then the community started a conversation about it and guess what? Homosexuality is growing in acceptance. The same will happen with transgender issues.

 

Attacking cisgender people for talking about transgender issues is not the answer. Try joining the conversation instead attempting to gender shame us for having an opinion.

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Permalink Reply by Heather Spoonheim on June 29, 2011 at 10:46am

[LIKE]

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Permalink Reply by Daria Black on June 29, 2011 at 12:26pm

:)

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Permalink Reply by Robin on June 29, 2011 at 1:11pm

It's right for them... So who's to say differently...

 

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Permalink Reply by Nate on July 25, 2011 at 3:03pm

I do not believe that it is wrong at all, and I guess my question would be why is it wrong? Unfortunately the Human creature is by no means perfect, and thus so, a lot of issues can happen before and during its lifespan.  Science has proven that the brain can develop one way and the body another.  Knowing this, why is it wrong to want to be happy with yourself and do what you can when science offers a solution, cuz god knows (teehee, sorry) that religion offers no help, aside from keeping it locked away deep in your head.  You are only your sex because you were the fastest swimmer; nothing determined who you were before conception.  Its chance, and it is also one of those things that one has no control over, just like race, country of origin and species.  So if sex is chosen without the consent of the individual, and it ends up being wrong or mixed up, why leave it broken? cuz an ancient archaic text said so?  Not a good reason.

 

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