Skip to main content

18 January - seeing a lot of negativity

I don't think there has been any more bad news than usual, or maybe I'm just more sensitive to it because I'm on the cusp of doing something, but everywhere I look lately I'm seeing negative and anti-trans news. 

Social media is always a double-edged sword.  It has been a great way to connect with other trans folk and find community, but it also exposes me to what the haters are saying.  Not directly, but where I see people commenting on posts from influential anti-trans people, or protesting about new laws being introduced in their countries or states to remove the rights of trans people.  This has an impact on me.  I live a nice sheltered life where everyone I come into contact with on a regular basis would be opposed to all kinds of prejudice.  Seeing these posts shows me the rest of the world where prejudice and hate are the norm.  

In the UK, trans issues are mainstream news.  The recent passing of a liberalisation of trans rights in Scotland created much controversy, but now the UK government has blocked it becoming law, whilst seeking to remove some of the rights of trans people coming to the UK.  Whilst the legislative battles probably have more to do with a power struggle between London and Edinburgh and showing who is in charge, it is still being portrayed in the news as being about protecting women-only spaces from dangerous men.  

All of this feeds my own doubts.  This hardly feels like the best time or environment in which to be coming out as trans.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

11 Feb 2024 - how do you open a “coming out” conversation?

Feeling better today and woke up feeling feminine which was nice. Wife still in bed.  I could come out, but only to the dog! Went for a run instead.  2.75 miles which is 0.5 miles more than last week but the last bit was a struggle. We talked a bit but I didn’t say what I need to say. Now she has gone to shower.   I also didn’t say anything in the afternoon and then failed to say anything in the evening too. The problem is that it isn’t the sort of thing that neatly segues into a conversation. “Funny that you should mention penile inversion vaginoplasty…” is unlikely to ever come up as an opportune opening.   And it is the opening sentence that I think is the hardest part.  That is the moment of “shock” so needs to be not too shocking. After that, I think I will find the rest fairly easy as it is just telling my story.   I think that “I’m transgender” or anything like that is too big a shock statement.  I think that a softer introduction of “I wish I w...
Post a Comment
Read more

21 Jun 24 - more correspondence from the gender clinic

I got details if the voice feminisation therapist through on the email and also links to the BMA and GMC guidance for GPs so I can do battle with the practice and see if they will help with my treatment by prescribing and doing the blood tests.  The voice coaching letter is interesting. It seems it’s not just talking in a higher pitch but also about resonance and it is that which makes the most difference. Which makes sense. The are women with high voices and low voices but they are all immediately identifiable as female, so there must be something other than pitch that signals this.  They also train for conversation, telephone and projection / public speaking as you use your voice differently in these situations.  Sounds interesting, maybe fun and most likely difficult to master.  I was visiting our northernmost office today and was hoping to be able to go out at the Mall on the way home, but there wasn’t enough time to fit that in. I am keen to have some more ...
Post a Comment
Read more

15th August - why transition?

I ended yesterday‘a post with a question: if I can find joy in just occasionally seeing myself as a woman, why would I want to upset my whole life and go through the emotional and physical pain of transitioning?  Is this a good question? Or is it just my protective brain once again trying to prevent me from taking a risky step? Could be both?  Assuming it is a valid question to ask myself, what are the arguments for not transitioning?  I have managed to live my life with my secret for decades and I am fine. When I do get to dress femme, I like it and it brings me happiness, and occasionally real joy. Real life is mundane and I am sure that dressing female all the time will not bring me perpetual joy and happiness, it will just be my normal. With suitable underwear and the right style of clothing, I can achieve the outward appearance of a female body shape and look pretty good (mainly thanks to the advantage of height relative to size). I don’t need hormones or surgery to ...
Post a Comment
Read more