General Transgender Discussion

Transgender community faces unique set of barriers Hamilton Spectator But for people who identify as transgender, the decision is far from simple. “Some of the stuff non-trans people take for granted are a huge issue for trans folk when they're out and trying to access public spaces,” said Will Rowe...

Posted: 05/18/2012 2:07 pm Updated: 05/18/2012 2:07 pm "...some are uncomfortable with including these groups and worry that if they are considered "queer" as well, it will distract or misdirect attention away from securing rights and recognition for more traditionally defined queer people." -huffingtonpost.com Should Groups Like Asexuals And The Polyamorous Be Included Under The Queer Umbrella? Vote Now! (POLL) ________________________________________________ Check out the article, vote if it's your thing, then come back here and weigh in what your thoughts are on the topic.

Has anyone noticed that more and more, reports on transpeople are referring to us as simply "transgender(s)?" "A transgender was seen walking..." "A transgender has decided to run for office in..." "A transgender sues former employer for..." "Transgenders gathered to support...." It's beginning to feel like we aren't even being considered human, like a "transgender" is some sort of species. It seems the habit is even more prevalent in Asian countries. I've never liked the word anyway. I've just tried to be politically correct, and tolerate it...especially in light of the fact that it's also been used by some post-op transpeople to lord over those who a…

http://www.lgbtqnation.com/2012/04/is-gay-a-religion/ I felt this to be very well done. Answering the question in the affirmative raises the next question - "If it is a religion, what about our religious freedom?" I hope I've provoked some deep thinking. Let us know.

Beyond Male and Female: Creativity, Risks, and Resilience Among Genderqueer People Huffington Post (blog) This new article shows that genderqueer people have unique demographic characteristics and experiences of discrimination and violence when compared to transgender people who identify as "male" or "female." The National Transgender Discrimination Survey...

Well ladies and gentlemen , I found myself a couple of months ago simply about to give up and enter into a Straight relationship .... OMG is all I could think , to give up yet again on my person and be a straight girl in a relationship depending on a Man . For support , stability and security , omg ... What im gods name got me so down that I was contemplaiting turning straight , lots of things , yet in doing so I would have found a nother life set into m to motion based on lies and misconceptions . I am a lesbian and always have known it . So to have even contemplated that and to have felt my way out of this was to become Straight , Dont get me wrong but yeash ... …

I realized when I was about 4 or 5 that I'm not a girl on the inside. I'm a boy trapped inside this body, like an animal. I'm not supposed to be a girl. I'm supposed to be a boy. Aside from that, once I found out there were others like me, I started to come out. But coming out to some people is easier than coming out to others, like my family. My aunt, who hates gays and lesbians and etc., said that gays are possessed by evil demons. There's something wrong with her. I'm certainly not possessed by an evil demon. My mom, just thinks it's a teenager thing and I'm too young to think that I know stuff like this. But she's secretly confused and it's pretty obvious. She wo…

Last night while out celebrating our anniversary my spouse and I discussed more about transgenderism. I don't remember how the converstion got started but we had an interesting conversation. She has read some of the book I'm currently reading My Husband Wears My Clothes by Peggy Rudd. Louise showed me something on page 94 of the book. It is a case study of a 13 year old girl who father is a crossdresser. Lydia, her sister, mother and father share clothes. They go out on shopping trips together.They are an open and loving family. We have gone on shopping trips a few times and we share some clothing. I tease her and tell her that its easier on budget. We haven't foug…

Explaining transsexualism Post-Tribune Dear Annie: We have two children and a 13-year-old grandson. Two years ago, our 48-year-old unmarried son very reluctantly told us that he has been diagnosed with gender identity disorder and considers himself to be female...

I find this ridiculous, I sent out for my income tax at the end of January and I still have not recieved it. I called them up 3 times and went down there twice. I show them my documents that i have had my name legally changed since November of last year, and I even sent them with my income tax refund. Everytime I call them, they blame the Social Security Office, which i went to go see, and they gave me a statement saying my name was current on their records. I'm finding this really frustrating. Is anyone else having issues with the IRS after you've had a legal name change?

please all watch this video of me. this will give you insight about what im feeling regarding my transition. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4DyiYw_Oxo

Homeless, not jobless yet, so much uhh, yup homeless , big fight with step daughter drove me to leave . When I am not Driving , which as of late isn't that often , I live in my car .... I suppose I should be thankful I still have that ... I just want you all to know I will Over Come Adversity and Return stronger then ever . Hugs and all my love Stephani

Yes kids, it's happening again, another inmate of Richmond Virginia's city jail is sueing for a paid operation . Hey, I'm not happy and it's just not my responsibility to pay into a tax system that allows for this . I have had to pay out of pocket for my own . Ive been a responsible citizen and I'm a family person . I feel like I should just give up sometimes , yet , I continue to try and do the right thing .

Hi everyone, I am new here. I am just wondering if anyone knows where I could buy Size 14 womens high heels, besides on-line? I Live in Allentown, Pa. The promblem is I can't have them shipped to my adress because I have room mates. I really need some help here. Thanks in Advance

I am presently reading Peggy Rudd's book My Husband Wears My Clothes. My spouse is reading it also. I have also been thoughful of my spouse's feelings about my dressing. The book reminds me that others are affected by what I do. Conversely, her attitude towards crossdressing and transgender affect the both of us. She is asking quesions again which I always welcome. I feel this time the questioning will go deeper than in previous times. She's still trying to wrap her mind around a male wearing women's clothing. What I like about Rudd's book is that it takes crossdressing from the spouse's perspective. My spous revealed to me that when she found out that I crossdress she…

OK, just back from the annual Equality Virginia fundrasing dinner, silent aution and schmoose fest . I have been asked so far how I thought of my first time at this . Weeeeeell, uh out of place , as usual !!!!!! To explain, it's simple , I'm there with one of the Damn few who will even speak of being a Transman and quite frankly, I'm really dissapointed !Look gang, I see a lot of forums besides this one . Hell, I even own a forum just like this one tooand NO one even posts onn it anymore . I'm not complaigning about that , thats another story. My point is , WHERE ARE THE TRANSPEOPLE, Yeah YOU ??????????? I know the state of Virginia ranks just above a couple of mo "sha…

In the thread " (by Stephani), I read the following in Ellen's (tbirdgal) post to the thread, "...various laws in several states requiring the three pieces of clothing on you at time of arrest are still on the books..." I didn't want to de-rail the thread, so I thought I'd create a new one that might spark some discussion...because this inquiring mind wanted to know what this meant. I didn't want appear too stoopid, so I tried to google it first - what I found would dictate whether or not I created this thread . In a wikipedia article, I found the statement, "women were required to wear three pieces of feminine clothing, and would be arrested if found not wearing th…

it appears being tg we are protected from discrimination http://hr.blr.com/HR-news/Discrimination/Sex-Discrimination/Are-Transgender-Employees-Protected/ Kimmie Townsend

Ok , Well as many of you all know I have been very Scarce for about four months or so , popping in from time to time but spending little to no time , this is in part due to the over whelming amount of Depresion and Anxiety issues I have gathered up over the years , Moma always told me to let it out and I did not listen , so now I am a hot mess with plenty to spare ... LOL I have been undergoing transition for a great number of years , living full time for three years , off and on for five prior , always battling with who I am , what I need to do , What I was Told I have to Do , why I am the Way I am ... You all know the same things just different day and person , any…

I have been out for nearly seven years now. There have been many improvements and changes. Protections for GLBT persons are law in many counties, towns, states, and countries. There is also more backlashes because we dare to make our voices heard. Transgender Day of Remembrance reminds me that we’re still in a fight. What is encouraging is that more people are seeing through the labyrinth of lies thrown up by our enemies. I am seeing cracks in the armor of seemingly impenetrable social institutions because people are being educated about gender and sexuality. The church is one such institution. I am part of a task force that forming a ministry for LGBTQI persons. I’…

I was at the community center last night waiting for a friend. A gentlemen who I have seen numerous times sat down and chatted with me. He complimented me on my attire. He seemed very fascinated with my hands. I have long, sleek fingers. It's not the first time someone has complimented me about them. We chatted for about ten minutes before he had to leave. Yesterday I received four emails from men desiring a relationship with me. This past Saturday, a couple of gents took notice of me while I was walking. It's really been interesting the past few days.

Wasn't sure where to put this..so yeah. the gay guy on the left in the video really pisses me off for his narrow minded view on transpeople. ! Language in this video not suitable for viewers under the age of 18, or for others easily offended by profanity !

We have a very real chance that LGBT discrimination on the job will finally become illegal throughout the country. Congress is poised to pass and the President Obama has promised to sign a federal bill, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act (ENDA), that bars workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity. But we need your help to persuade lawmakers in Washington that this is a problem that state and local government employees face too. We need to hear from people who wanted to work for a state or local government but have been fired, refused a job or faced harassment because of their sexual orientation or gender identity. We are looking for…

Coming Out, a New York Times interactive feature, contains videos and stories from gay, lesbian, bisexual and trans people. It is advertised as a "weeklong series," but I'm not sure when it began...so members might want to check this feature out soon in case it disappears. I haven't seen all the vids, or read all the stories, but one was interesting to me - a young gay teen who was in ROTC. He mentions putting off going into the military after high school (despite the repeal of DADT)...he feels he might still have to hide who he is. I wanted to go into the army after high school, but didn't because back then, it was assumed that any female in the army was gay. I …

On March 29th, a task force will be formed in order to create a ministry for LGBTQI persons, allies, friends and family. I will be attending that meeting. I'm very excited about this. there are a number of gay and lesbian couples who regularly attend. So far as I know I'm the only transgender person there. Maybe I'll meet another trans person. I'm excited because I believe that the church should be leading the fight for inclusion and equality. I will let you know how the meeting went.