Feb 3 2013: I enjoyed this presentation. I did so because it highlights a big problem within our society, and that problem is NOT gender presentation or sexual orientation. It is that we tend to put people into boxes too easily, make snap judgements about them, and close our minds to any possibility we are wrong.
I would not suggest that everything can be cured with a bit of dialogue between disparate groups. But I do think if we took the time to actually learn a bit about groups we do not understand, we can reduce our fears about them and perhaps find some common ground. We are all human after all,
I believe that the more we divide society up into groups and discriminate against the people within them, the more likely we will one day find ourselves in a group that is being discriminated against. Tolerance and an open mind will go a long way towards preventing that, and the process show in this talk reveals a great way to start. KUDOS to O Tillett Wright for standing up to the plate!
Jan 10 2013: I will eventually do a blog, but have decided to wait until I have fully completed my own transition. Meanwhile, I will keep a daily journal. so I have a record I can refer to for information when I do take that next step.
Jan 9 2013: I started this thread to determine whether the time was right to do a blog on this subject. I knew there were a wide range of blogs on this general topic, but thought perhaps there would be more interest in getting the perspective of someone who was older, was a success in her field, and had a somewhat conservative background. It appears I was wrong.
I leave you with this: Transgenderism is not a choice as much as it is a lack of options. Our society sets limits on what is acceptable behaviour for boys/girls, and those limits can be stifling. By the time we are adults, these limits have been pretty hard set, and are difficult to change. We claim to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism, but the biases in our society about these matters still run deep (at least in some parts).
If we could change your minds about the limits of acceptable male/female behaviours (and therefore be able live within them), perhaps we wouldn't have to modify our bodies to suit.
Jan 9 2013: It is interesting how often the words "transgender" and "prostitute" are linked together. Can I say that no one who is transgendered ever works as a prostitute? Of course not. The reality is a small percentage of our community does do that kind of work. But, don't assume that just because it happens to some that it must happen to all.
Perhaps rather than asking about the "way" a transgendered woman would prostitute herself, you should be asking "why"? As a general group, we face a high level of discrimination. We are a visible minority, particularly when first starting out, when our ability to be perceived as authentic to the gender of our choice is limited.
As a visible minority with limited protection under the law, and with the stereotyping that goes on about us, "normal" jobs can be harder to find. It is one thing if we transition after having proved ourselves in the workplace, but it is something else again to try to transition with few life skills, as the younger generations often face when trying to transition when still in their teen or early 20's.
I cannot speak personally bout working as a prostitute, a I have never done so. I imagine it comes down to survival for some of us, just as it does for a "woman-from-birth" who is in the same situation.
As for my own romantic life? All I will say is I am loved, and will leave it at that. Ypu have no more right to ask me about the details of my romantic life than I do of you.
TED is a great place to learn about things, and perhaps one day, someone will do a TED Talk about it. I appreciate that a blog isn't going to work for everyone, and I myself have decided to wait for a while.
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.
Jan 1 2013: I want to go on record that my blog is not aimed to "convert" people about transgender issues. I merely seek to provide some factual information in the hope that people can be a bit more tolerant about us.
I would request that peoples responds be based on my original post, so we can keep things on topic.
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.
Jan 1 2013: There are some great blogs and YouTube videos out there, but most are done from a younger perspective. I thought a new blog written from an older person might be useful. Time will tell I guess.
Jan 1 2013: Frankly Ken, I am unsure how to respond to this. You went far off topic, and signalled biases on many levels and towards many groups. Obviously you see us as a threat. I can see no better reason to start a blog than to try to counter some of your rhetoric.
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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A comment on Talk: iO Tillett Wright: Fifty shades of gay
I would not suggest that everything can be cured with a bit of dialogue between disparate groups. But I do think if we took the time to actually learn a bit about groups we do not understand, we can reduce our fears about them and perhaps find some common ground. We are all human after all,
I believe that the more we divide society up into groups and discriminate against the people within them, the more likely we will one day find ourselves in a group that is being discriminated against. Tolerance and an open mind will go a long way towards preventing that, and the process show in this talk reveals a great way to start. KUDOS to O Tillett Wright for standing up to the plate!
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
A comment on Conversation: 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 leave you with this: Transgenderism is not a choice as much as it is a lack of options. Our society sets limits on what is acceptable behaviour for boys/girls, and those limits can be stifling. By the time we are adults, these limits have been pretty hard set, and are difficult to change. We claim to celebrate diversity and multiculturalism, but the biases in our society about these matters still run deep (at least in some parts).
If we could change your minds about the limits of acceptable male/female behaviours (and therefore be able live within them), perhaps we wouldn't have to modify our bodies to suit.
A comment on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
Perhaps rather than asking about the "way" a transgendered woman would prostitute herself, you should be asking "why"? As a general group, we face a high level of discrimination. We are a visible minority, particularly when first starting out, when our ability to be perceived as authentic to the gender of our choice is limited.
As a visible minority with limited protection under the law, and with the stereotyping that goes on about us, "normal" jobs can be harder to find. It is one thing if we transition after having proved ourselves in the workplace, but it is something else again to try to transition with few life skills, as the younger generations often face when trying to transition when still in their teen or early 20's.
I cannot speak personally bout working as a prostitute, a I have never done so. I imagine it comes down to survival for some of us, just as it does for a "woman-from-birth" who is in the same situation.
As for my own romantic life? All I will say is I am loved, and will leave it at that. Ypu have no more right to ask me about the details of my romantic life than I do of you.
TED is a great place to learn about things, and perhaps one day, someone will do a TED Talk about it. I appreciate that a blog isn't going to work for everyone, and I myself have decided to wait for a while.
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
A comment on Conversation: 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 would request that peoples responds be based on my original post, so we can keep things on topic.
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.
A reply on Conversation: To write a daily blog to discuss the issue of gender identity, and to answer some basic questions about what being transgendered is like.