What is it about the transgender community that conjures up such vivid images? And then again, what can we do to bring some reality to the situation? I remember the first time I saw a transsexual woman. I was trying to be a teenage boy at the time. Since a woman never reveals her age, I will not tell you how long ago this was. It was in Greenwich Village NY, and it was in the days when the beatnik coffeehouses were still abounding. She just walked into the hotel… gorgeous, young, full of life… and asked whether she could use the men's room. I was the same age as she was at the time, and I just swallowed hard and tried to keep the thought from bubbling to the top of my consciousness that that should be me. It was the first time I had seen a real transgender woman, but the stereotypes firmly engrained in my mind held me back for many years from acting on my dreams. |
Years have gone by since I saw my first transgender woman. And that first image is now eclipsed by the myriad of wonderful people I have met in my journey through genderland. The shy, young female-to-male, just starting his transition with peach fuzz on his face, and his beautiful, brash and loving partner. The new post-op, so proud of her new equipment that she gladly shows it to the whole world. The elderly crossdresser who preached word of God as a man, yet died in loneliness in her home as a woman. The brave transsexual activist who constantly puts herself in the media spotlight to bring our story to the public. The transgender policemen and firefighters who risk their lives daily for others. |
The lawyers, the engineers, the businessmen… the pillars of society. And the hookers and the street people… the outcasts of society. They are all part of the transgender community. They populate the real transgender community. It is rich in its diversity. Its colors are as brilliant as an Arabian bazaar. And its flavors and aromas as mesmerizing as an Indian spice market. And what unites us all is our humanity. We transcend the images that are first to come to mind. But when you get to know and understand who we are, the reality is so much more brilliant. And you know what else unites us? The fact that, except for in a handful of places, our basic human rights are typically trampled into the dust. This is my first column with Nightlines. I am grateful for the opportunity to have my voice heard in the Lesbigay/trans Community… my community! Over the next few months, I hope to acquaint you with the humanity of my people, and to replace some of those tired old images with a new vitality. |
So
what image does "transgender" bring to your mind? Do
you think of those crazy, colorful guys in the bright pink and
lavender wigs strutting their stuff at the Pride Parade? Do you
think of the pathetic crossdresser revealing his deepest secrets
to his wife on the Sally Jesse Raphael show? Do you think of
those gorgeous girls at the Baton Show Lounge? Whatever comes
to mind, I'll bet the image is a vivid one.