TED Conversations

Kendra Berg

This conversation is closed. Start a new conversation
or join one »

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
0
Share:

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.

  • thumb

    Fritzie Reisner 100+

    • +1
    Host
    Dec 31 2012: If I were you, I would first check what sorts of blogs, newsletters, and Q and As are available right now through organizations that share your interest in making available accurate information about gender identity, gender changes, and living transgendered. From this search you can judge whether there are specific unmet needs you may wish to address.

    Some people may be interested in your personal experiences, while others may be more inclined to seek information from LGBT organizations that may draw on the experiences of a broad set of transgender people.

    For your own blog it is easiest to start by promoting your project to your friends, who may then help you find a broader readership by recommending your blog to others with simiar interests.

    • Kendra Berg

      • 0
      Jan 1 2013: I wanted some feedback about what people would like to learn about transgenderism. My hope was that I could dispel a few myths along the way. So far, I have gotten little in the way of constructive dialogue, but I hope that will change. After all, this is the TED community, and surely there are a few inquiring minds out there seeking answers.
      • thumb

        Fritzie Reisner 100+

        • 0
        Host
        Jan 1 2013: There are inquiring minds here seeking answers to questions that press on them and also seeking responses to their ideas, but people tend to have specific areas and questions they find most urgent in their lives. In any small community such as this, you may not find many people invested in your particular subject, regardless of what your subject is.

        Have you made inquiries in communities that have a focus on discussing issues related to sexual identity and transgender life in particular? Have you looked at Google Plus as well?

        • Kendra Berg

          • +1
          Jan 1 2013: I am researching a number of options. I wanted to create a blog on a more mainstream venue to get a broader reader base, but recognize that the issue of transgender in society is still a bit of a fringe subject. I will have a better idea of where to do this by the end of the week. I do want to thank you for your constructive comments.

Showing single comment thread. View the full conversation.