Transgender Blog

I’ve been wanting to write THIS commentary for quite awhile. Probably too long! I realize I’m NOT the only Transsexual living in a small town. Yes, I used the word Transsexual! IF I was being politically correct, I’d have used Transgendered. I have never been known for my so-called political correctness.

Sure, I’m Post-Op, but I’ve been living as a female for many years. I rarely (if ever) get an odd look, never a comment. However, I listen to what people say - in general - about every topic. What surprises me is: In this day and age, there is still such degrading bigotry and predjuice among your average person. I’m NOT just just talking about the bubba’s, hillbillies, or rednecks in my state. What can I say, I live in The South, so that’s what I have to go on. Across the nation, many people were, for example, appalled at the movie: “Brokeback Mountain.” Give me a break! I spent many years in the 70’s and 80’s in Gay bars in Texas. Believe me, Gay cowboys or Lebsbian cowgirls were (and are) a dime-a-dozen. Yet, THIS was a “shocking” and ground-breaking movie?

My point: Did you ever see (or hear of), OK,  another movie: “Network?” It featured the late actor Peter Finch in an amazing role, portaying an insane network television news anchor named Howard Beal. Beal, on network TV, shouted to his viewing audience: “You’ve got to say, I’m a HUMAN BEING, (expletive)! My life has VALUE! So I want you to get up now. I want all of you to get up out of your chairs. I want you to get up right now and go to the window. Open it, and stick your head out, and yell: I’M AS MAD AS HELL, AND I’M NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!

Have YOU ever felt that way?

Who knows, maybe its because I was rummaging around in my closet and FINALLY located my old, tatted, and faded Transsexual Menace t-shirt. Mabe its because I got to thinking that activists have been fighting for LGB - particularly -T rights LONG before Stonewall. If you don’t know, Transexual Menace was an activist organization founded by Riki Anne Wilchins (and several others) back in the 90’s, I think. I looked around on the net, there doesn’t appear to be an existing “official” organization, but its purpose lives on in many forms and spinoffs.

Anyway, as various Trans groups continue their journey to achieve community awareness of OUR plight and cause, I received press information regarding The First New England Transgender Pride March and Rally. Its coming up June 7, 2008 in Northampton, MA. The event is organized by members of the Trans and “Gender-Variant” Community, and allies. Their intention is to take a “visible and positive stand for Transgender rights,” to educate and build awareness of OUR movement against gender-based discrimination. To quote their website: “We promote self-acceptance and acceptance of our whole identities and lives. We gather to celebrate and affirm our individuality, diversity, and strength.”

OK, rock on Trans-women and Trans-men and whoever-in-between’ers! Go forth! Every single one of us should go forth…AND BE PROUD…BE FREE! I love their motto (I may even buy one of their t-shirts): “Remember Stonewall? That was us!

I recently had a case of the flu that’s going around the nation. First off, it was a pretty nasty little bug that took FOREVER to shake. Second, I did get to stay in bed and - at times - watch some daytime television. Let me point out, I rarely watch TV. I was rather surprised with some of the widely-varied programs dealing with the Transgendered.

Keep in mind, this happened ALL on ONE day. I first had the opportunity to watch a Logo Network documentary, “Girl Inside.” This featured 26 year old Madison during her 3 year transition from male to female. Logo Network was right when it detailed the rather heartwarming story that actually went well beyond “Transgender 101″ basics. Of course, I wouldn’t expect ANY less from Logo. Great job, folks!

Then I flipped around, catching the final few segments of Tyra Banks, where they went “inside the operating room” for a peek at Gender Reassignment Surgery. Featured was the very stunning Alaina, who discussed her 3 year transition from male to female. Still kind of “shock television” (to a degree), but informative to general public. All in all, not a bad program.

A quick click of the remote, and the “shock value” DEFINITELY kicked in with Maury Povich, who undauntedly paraded siliconed and HIGHLY surgically-altered beauties on an off the stage, as the audience did the usual “whooping and hollering,” typical of low-grade television programming. I THINK the title was: “Red Carpet Queens Revealed: Born Man or Woman? I assume it was up to the audience to decide until their “gender secrets” were revealed? I don’t know, I turned it off, as it was both stupid and sickening. Its bad enough we have to face serious trials and tribulation to pass, and even get by day-to-day…Some of us more than others. Keep in mind, even genetic women usually don’t look as “extreme” as the “red carpet glamour queens” that were on display. Typical junk TV from The Maury Show. Its shows JUST like this one, that are the bain of our existence.

Its FINALLY here! The “new and improved” Trangender Blog. You can visit my old TG Blog (same website location) HERE and read all of my previous posts for additional background, resources, commentary, and Transgender-related information.

My original Transgender Blog made its debut in November 2004 and is still chocked full of usefull information pertient to the Transgendered, Gay, Lebsbian, and Bi Community.