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Kendra Berg

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What is your perception of people with gender identity issues (transgendered), and has it changed in the last 5 years?

Where did you get your perception about transgendered people from, and did it change over the last five years? Have you ever met someone with a gender identity issue, or has your opinion been formed by what you have seen in the news and on popular television?

My aim is to get a rough idea of whether people base their opinions on transgendered people through TV and social media, or through actual interactions with transgendered individuals.

I would also like to hear what your thoughts are about people with gender identity issues?

Topics: Transgender popular media presentation real world experience
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    Luke Hobbs

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    Nov 27 2012: Hopefully I won't get criticized for being honest BUT although I have never had a social problem with the transgendered (and I sometimes frequent such clubs because they're an often less uptight bunch than your average "normal" person on a fun night out), I can't help but feel some sort of, i don't know, like some internal unease. I haven't worked out why yet but I am geared to thinking it's a base lack of trust in that if a person is going through such extremes (to me it's extreme) to "change their sex", then what else are they capable of? Would it be easy for them to launch at me, attack me etc? Would that person be more easily offended at something I say than the average Joe Blog? Don't really know yet...
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      Jou Pabalate

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      Nov 29 2012: The unease is something that I feel you wouldn't or shouldn't receive criticism for, in fact, I think that I somewhat understand where you're coming from and I'm gay btw. You' might be surprised to find that most transgendered folks are really normal and not extreme at all, they just identify themselves as the opposite sex bec. that's how they see their innerselves. What I would recommend is that it might make you feel more comfortable if you try to engage a trans or maybe read up on the subject... It's all about gaining more insight I think.

      Btw, being a transgender may or may not involve actually doing a sex change... Some of my friends do ID themselves as trans but when asked if they'll ever take a biological leap, a lot of them are just comfortable as is. :)
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      Colleen Steen 500+

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      Nov 29 2012: Luke,
      I suggest your "unease" is fear of the unknown. You are wondering what they may be capable of? Attacking you? I suggest that most people who are in prison for assault are straight. Are you afraid, or experiencing "unease" with all the straight men you encounter? What might THEY be capable of?

      I agree with Jou....read up on the topic....engage someone you think may be trans...actually, you probably already have had interactions with people who have different sexual preferences, and you don't even know it because they are people....just like all of us....many of the same feelings, emotions, needs, interests, likes and dislikes as most of us. Many of my friends are gay, bi, and a couple who are trans. I agree with Jou....that biological leap is very traumatic, and a difficult decision to make for some people.

      Nothing has changed personally, because I've had friends with different sexual orientations for many years. For society, I believe it is a good thing that we are now talking about it and exploring something that was kept quiet for too long. I think most people would be surprised to discover how many people they interact with on a daily basis have different sexual orientations.

    • John Smith 30+

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      Nov 29 2012: Luke, it doesn't matter that you feel unease, you can't do anything about that because it's probably a result of your upbringing and life experiences. What matters is that you are willing to admit it and choose not to act on it. You choose to vote for the rights of transgender people because your brain knows that the unease your heart feels is irrational and you choose to not pass your unease on to your children, that's all that can be expected from someone in your situation.
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        Colleen Steen 500+

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        Dec 2 2012: John,
        I agree that issues with unease are probably a result of what we may have been taught in the life experience from parents, peers, society, etc.

        I also agree that it matters a LOT when a person is willing to talk about their unease and insecurity with an issue, and not pass it on to someone else, like their children.

        I don't agree that there is nothing a person can do about their unease. Don't you think that having more information sometimes helps people feel more at ease with any issue? Knowledge is power? Luke has expressed a fear that "they" may attack him, or be more easily offended at something he says for example.

        If he understands that "they" are real people, sharing the same feelings and emotions as we all are, do you think/feel it might lessen his discomfort?

        I suggest that it is the "head" where the unease resides, because of what he has been taught as you insightfully acknowledge. The mind/brain/thoughts retain the information that has been given to us. In my humble experience, the information coming from the heart/intuition/instinct is generally loving, accepting and not prejudice.....yes? no? maybe?

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