In spite of the increased profile, support from Obama and awards for Trans-themed media it's really not been a good year to be Trans - and we're only in February.
As I write we've seen six Trans women murdered, and at least two Trans teenagers have succeeded in taking their lives. At the same time, legislators seek to restrict the freedom of Trans people to use bathrooms in public buildings, which threatens the most basic right of someone to be in society at all.
As someone at the very beginning of a road that could lead to transition this is pretty terrifying. I was bullied as a child, but I couldn't claim to have experienced anything like the hatred and very real threat of physical harm that people I'm privileged to call my friends have experienced as they've come out and tried simply to be themselves in a hostile society.
When the letter to the Observer hit last weekend I was taken aback at the ferocity of the attack on those who had signed. But then, thinking about it I wondered what they expected? It's easy to forget the rights that gay and lesbian people have gained in recent years to deny homophobia a platform, and yet its apparently ok to give Germaine Greer the right to openly dismiss the legitimacy of even being Trans. I cannot condone the threats that have been made, but I do understand why it provokes so much anger and I share it too.
I think Peter Tatchell was naive in signing the Observer letter. His response promotes dialogue, but I think he has underestimated how the promotion of these ideas make it so very dangerous for those of us identifying as Trans. That doesn't begin to include the many who are too afraid to even admit it and seek any kind of help.
And then we have, possibly the most popular and widely respected Pope in a generation make a calculated comparison between the threat placed by Gender Theory and Nuclear war, stating it was against God's order. As a christian who has admired the Pontiff's stance on corruption, simple life and care for the poor, this was a real body blow, and frankly I'm still in shock. He has great influence and his opinion, right or wrong, has and continues to shape areas of the world in which we live.
Before jumping off the deep end on this one, I want to understand exactly what he means about Gender Theory and exactly who he has in his sights. It would seem odd to me for a relatively small section of society to be credited with the potential to cause Armageddon. However, church leaders have often employed a sense of theatre when making a point - so who knows.
I will, however, make the following observations before closing....
- Passing judgement or restricting the freedom of another to be themselves is completely at odds with the concept of unconditional love on which true Christianity is based.
- More problems have been caused by the reinforcement of binary gender roles, in particular the dominance of men, by the Church than I could care to imagine. We have barely scratched the surface of abuse that has been carried out and covered up through the ages. If we are looking for an abomination this is a good place to start.
- There was a time when the Church killed people for suggesting that the world was not flat. In time they were forced to listen to science and came round. I can only hope and pray that they remember that revelation is not absolute and God is revealed in all creation, not just the bits they approve of.
I titled this piece about Fear and Hope. It all seems very dark at the moment, but I do hope that the world learns to shake off the relics of binary gender identities and roles and is the better for it. I am jealous of my gay friends as they are freer to express aspects of creativity and colour that I have long had to hide. The business world is waking up to and embracing the benefits of diversity, and the traditional roles and qualities associated with male and female are starting to be challenged.
I look forward to a world where gender is practically a non-issue. Where women share an equal footing with their male counterparts, where anyone is truly free to pursue the skills and interests they choose without fear or prejudice. Most of all I look forward to a time whereto be Trans is treated with understanding and respect, and the feel of being an exhibit in a Victorian freak show is buried for ever.
As I write we've seen six Trans women murdered, and at least two Trans teenagers have succeeded in taking their lives. At the same time, legislators seek to restrict the freedom of Trans people to use bathrooms in public buildings, which threatens the most basic right of someone to be in society at all.
As someone at the very beginning of a road that could lead to transition this is pretty terrifying. I was bullied as a child, but I couldn't claim to have experienced anything like the hatred and very real threat of physical harm that people I'm privileged to call my friends have experienced as they've come out and tried simply to be themselves in a hostile society.
When the letter to the Observer hit last weekend I was taken aback at the ferocity of the attack on those who had signed. But then, thinking about it I wondered what they expected? It's easy to forget the rights that gay and lesbian people have gained in recent years to deny homophobia a platform, and yet its apparently ok to give Germaine Greer the right to openly dismiss the legitimacy of even being Trans. I cannot condone the threats that have been made, but I do understand why it provokes so much anger and I share it too.
I think Peter Tatchell was naive in signing the Observer letter. His response promotes dialogue, but I think he has underestimated how the promotion of these ideas make it so very dangerous for those of us identifying as Trans. That doesn't begin to include the many who are too afraid to even admit it and seek any kind of help.
And then we have, possibly the most popular and widely respected Pope in a generation make a calculated comparison between the threat placed by Gender Theory and Nuclear war, stating it was against God's order. As a christian who has admired the Pontiff's stance on corruption, simple life and care for the poor, this was a real body blow, and frankly I'm still in shock. He has great influence and his opinion, right or wrong, has and continues to shape areas of the world in which we live.
Before jumping off the deep end on this one, I want to understand exactly what he means about Gender Theory and exactly who he has in his sights. It would seem odd to me for a relatively small section of society to be credited with the potential to cause Armageddon. However, church leaders have often employed a sense of theatre when making a point - so who knows.
I will, however, make the following observations before closing....
- Passing judgement or restricting the freedom of another to be themselves is completely at odds with the concept of unconditional love on which true Christianity is based.
- More problems have been caused by the reinforcement of binary gender roles, in particular the dominance of men, by the Church than I could care to imagine. We have barely scratched the surface of abuse that has been carried out and covered up through the ages. If we are looking for an abomination this is a good place to start.
- There was a time when the Church killed people for suggesting that the world was not flat. In time they were forced to listen to science and came round. I can only hope and pray that they remember that revelation is not absolute and God is revealed in all creation, not just the bits they approve of.
I titled this piece about Fear and Hope. It all seems very dark at the moment, but I do hope that the world learns to shake off the relics of binary gender identities and roles and is the better for it. I am jealous of my gay friends as they are freer to express aspects of creativity and colour that I have long had to hide. The business world is waking up to and embracing the benefits of diversity, and the traditional roles and qualities associated with male and female are starting to be challenged.
I look forward to a world where gender is practically a non-issue. Where women share an equal footing with their male counterparts, where anyone is truly free to pursue the skills and interests they choose without fear or prejudice. Most of all I look forward to a time whereto be Trans is treated with understanding and respect, and the feel of being an exhibit in a Victorian freak show is buried for ever.
