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Kendra Berg

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To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.

I am a 50 year old trans-woman, and have spent many years dealing with my own issues about gender identity. Gender has always been a bit of a hot subject, and the idea of people wanting to actually CHANGE genders makes it even more so.

Many peoples opinions of what being transgendered means comes from what they see about "transsexuals" on the news or in TV programs. These sources tend to show a bit of a skewed perspective (after all, if it is normal, it ISN'T news), but if no one is saying anything to the contrary, how will people know?
Things are quite a bit better than they were 10 years ago, but there is still work to be done. If the media is not ready to do it, I thought I would give it a shot.

My plan is to start a blog in January about the kind of things I have faced over the years. Some of what I write will be humorous, some will be a bit sad, but it will all be written from the heart. After people learn a bit more about me, I will start a question and answer section. I hope this will be used as a way to gather information about the topic rather than just generating "hate mail."

For now, I want people to comment about what they think about this kind of blog, and ask that people list some of the questions that they might want answers for. Please make any questions suitable for a PG audience.

Thanks,

Kendra

Topics: equality gender identity intolerance media bias quality of life
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  • greg dahlen 30+

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    Dec 31 2012: Well, it's okay with me if you start one, although I tend to think we are already getting a lot of information about this subject, here in the U.S. we see much buzz on gay rights and gay marriage.

    Often I pick up a free newspaper here in Los Angeles called "L.A. X-press," which is available on newsracks around the city. It has news articles and then ads for people, women and transgender women, who seem to suggest they are prostitutes. Maybe I wonder what the life of a transgender prostitute is like, if it's any different from a "regular" prostitute.

    • Kendra Berg

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      Jan 1 2013: I have met transgendered people are bankers, cooks, doctors, lawyers, mechanics, oilfield workers, pastry chefs, and yes, even prostitutes. Those who enter into the sex trade are often forced to do so because there are fewer opportunities for regular employment than anything else. It is not so much a "choosing" of a career as it is a lack of options.

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