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6 comments | Sunday, April 29, 2007




Dictionary.com refers to Transgender people as: a person appearing or attempting to be a member of the opposite sex, as a transsexual or habitual cross-dresser. While the definition is very broad, its meaning is very fascinating. I won't pretend to understand the Transgender or their struggle to be socially accepted. But after watching Barbara Walters 20/20 amazing special on the topic this past weekend, I have to admit that I received a fast tracks course on an issue that surprisingly amazed and intrigued me.

In this powerful and pioneering television special, Barbara spoke to a series of parents who have taken on the daunting task of raising transgender youth in today's rigid, and over-classifying society. In one segment I got the opportunity to hear Scott and Renee Jennings encouraging story - as they try to cope and understand one of the most hush-hush issues of our time—Gender Identity Disorder. As offensive as the term may be to some, that is how transgender people are classified in the medical profession.

Their youngest child- "Jazz" Jennings (pictured above) - is a booming bundle of joy whose parents adore her with all of their heart. (I will admit that little Jazz even melted my own heart.) Since the moment Jazz was born, particularly the moment she could speak, she was quite vocal in her opposition of being called a boy. Thinking it was just a faze Renee and Scott attempted to ignore it, but as Jazz got older her "disorder" became more and more prevalent. It was at that moment that Jazz's parents made the difficult decision to allow the youngest member of their family to be the person she felt she was—a girl.

While their story was very compelling, it forced me to face an undeniable revelation. Why does it seem that the gay community doesn't acknowledge or include Trangender men and women into their social circles? Has everyone become so self involved with their own sexual identity issues that they've alienated an entire sub-culture of people? It's abundantly clear that Transgender people experience more hate and ridicule then any other group could ever imagine.

If you think that I am wrong about my assessment then ask yourself these two questions:

1. Do I have any Transgender friends?
2. Why?

If your answer was honest then I am sure that you will come to find that you may have some horizontal hatred or ignorance to an entire sub-culture that is apart of the community.

While many people outside of the Gay Community view gay men and women as sexual deviants, Trangender people have a much more profound issue. They have to somehow navigate their own biological identify in a culture that barely accepts homosexuality, let alone anything else that isn't considered "normal". And some studies are showing that transgender men and women are 4 times more likely to commit suicide, catch HIV and start using drugs more then any other demographic.

While the gay "struggle" is a serious issue that needs to be handled with vigor and great stride. It's nothing compared to the struggles of transgender men and women. It is time for us all to be more inclusive and a lot more open minded.

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6 Comments:

<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

i actually had a guy at my work go transgender. the women got extremely pissed when he started using the ladies room in his year of livin and dressin up prior to the surgery.

then stranger still.. he married a guy at work who he knew when he was a guy.

nothing can beat the incredible weirdness of real life.

April 30, 2007 10:03 PM

 
<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

I guess to you it would be good, healthy and perfectly OK for boys to start wearing pants, dresses and skirts and for girls to wear suits, tims, and go shirtless. Let's not teach children what is expected of their gender. Let's cross the genders and make it all acceptable.

SICK!

May 01, 2007 2:37 PM

 
<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

It's nature at work....gender is not sex and sex is not gender. Or something like that.

I grew up with plenty of transgendered friends....still have plenty...I accept them with no problem. But I know how gay people are and they can be really mean, cruel and discrinatory.....to our own kind.

May 01, 2007 10:52 PM

 
<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

JAZZ IS going to be real as rain when she gets older. She's already real.

I have tons of transgendered friends. Some I didn't even know until they told me, and to me it's sort of like them telling me they don't like chocolate. I mean, of course you're taken aback because they are SO REAL. But, who am I to judge them, or decide not to be their friends because they sought their happiness and achieved it?

I think many transgendered people need emotional support and people to be their friends. Because of course someone may call me a fag once a day, But, to CONSTANTLY hear people whispering and questioning. It could drive you insane.


GENDER ROLES ARE OUTDATED!!!

But to ponoono, I've always thought about what would happen if a transgendered woman married a man, or if a man went up in drag and married his boyfriend. HMM


-Marz

May 07, 2007 11:40 AM

 
<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

Jazz is who she is. Who is anyone to judge her until they have walked in her shoes. People need to mind their business and worry themselves. Those who are the most judgemental and righteous about other people's differences are usually those who have the most to hide about themselves and are insecure as human beings.

June 27, 2008 10:28 PM

 
<$BlogCommentAuthor$> said...

i actally go to the same temple as jazz and ive never seen her there. also i knew her(as an aquaintanis)when she was a boy. she was always with the girls at partys and pool partys about all the temple moms.

June 28, 2008 10:18 PM

 

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