Its directed mainly at our resident member obsessed with transgendered folk, but also at others. Most of you know that I am very defensive of these people, and I think I shall tell you why:
Many years ago, when I was a little girl, around ten years old, my friends parents had a mate who was transgendered. She had started hormone treatment which softened her voice, and she wore skirts and blouses, lipstick, and spent ages styling her hair, which was long, boofy, and blonde. She was also a fan of high heels - a big fan.
Anyway, the first time I caught a glimpse of her, I thought what a weirdo she was. What kind of man dresses like a woman? I thought that since 'he' was a man, 'he' should damned well dress like one!
But that was my 10 year old mind talking. I knew nothing about transgendered people then.
I avoided this person for ages, until one day when I was at my friends place and in she walks, all lippy and high heels, and imagine my surprise when she greeted me by name. By name! I had never spoken to her, yet she knew my name, and despite the fact that she must have known it was obvious I was ignoring her on all those other occasions, she still put a smile on her face that let me know she was happy to see me.
That changed me. Something so simple made me realise that this person wasn't a creep at all - if she wanted to dress differently, so what? She was nice and polite, and once I'd started speaking to her, I wondered what the hell I was so afraid of.
My friend and I often spent time with her, alone in her house - and neither of us was molested, or propositioned by her. She never posed a threat to us at all - in fact, it was another of their friends who sexually abused me a year later - a heterosexual, married man with a daughter my age.
So when people here mock transgendered people, I wonder if they've actually met one, and gotten to know them. I have met a transgendered person first hand, and she was one of the sweetest, kindest women I have met - and what is so wrong about that???
Many years ago, when I was a little girl, around ten years old, my friends parents had a mate who was transgendered. She had started hormone treatment which softened her voice, and she wore skirts and blouses, lipstick, and spent ages styling her hair, which was long, boofy, and blonde. She was also a fan of high heels - a big fan.
Anyway, the first time I caught a glimpse of her, I thought what a weirdo she was. What kind of man dresses like a woman? I thought that since 'he' was a man, 'he' should damned well dress like one!
But that was my 10 year old mind talking. I knew nothing about transgendered people then.
I avoided this person for ages, until one day when I was at my friends place and in she walks, all lippy and high heels, and imagine my surprise when she greeted me by name. By name! I had never spoken to her, yet she knew my name, and despite the fact that she must have known it was obvious I was ignoring her on all those other occasions, she still put a smile on her face that let me know she was happy to see me.
That changed me. Something so simple made me realise that this person wasn't a creep at all - if she wanted to dress differently, so what? She was nice and polite, and once I'd started speaking to her, I wondered what the hell I was so afraid of.
My friend and I often spent time with her, alone in her house - and neither of us was molested, or propositioned by her. She never posed a threat to us at all - in fact, it was another of their friends who sexually abused me a year later - a heterosexual, married man with a daughter my age.
So when people here mock transgendered people, I wonder if they've actually met one, and gotten to know them. I have met a transgendered person first hand, and she was one of the sweetest, kindest women I have met - and what is so wrong about that???
half the time, but thanks!
