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Jessie Hart 's Entries

87 blogs
  • 22 Aug 2012
    How many pursuits in life include the ultimate successful goal of becoming invisible?Transgender Stealth is one indeed.A noble one? Certainly for the person involved. Even me.A constructive one. Not for the trans community.Ironic isn't it when we work so hard just to disappear.
    1264 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • How many pursuits in life include the ultimate successful goal of becoming invisible?Transgender Stealth is one indeed.A noble one? Certainly for the person involved. Even me.A constructive one. Not for the trans community.Ironic isn't it when we work so hard just to disappear.
    Aug 22, 2012 1264
  • 19 Aug 2012
    Until very recently, I wasn't totally aware I was automatically labeled as mentally ill by the psychiatric community.I knew that sometimes I viewed myself as slightly off kilter when compared to most of societies "norms".The deal was for the longest time, I did attach quite a bit of it to my gender dysphoria.Much later in life, I finally figured out all my mental restlessness and my basic disregard for authority had absolutely nothing to do with what side of the gender fence I was on.If there is a gene which triggered my "jender-jump" then is there another which triggered a "who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" gene?When I can't sit through a conversation without thinking of two or three alternatives-does that make me nuts?Certainly both of those traits carried through to my feminine life.If you want to use the "N" words (normal or nuts) to describe an overall mental state, then go for it.I truthfully found both be rather impossible.Anyone who I tried to slap the normal word on proved to be a huge mistake. They weren't but what the hell is normal anyhow?Now I have known a few folks over the years who were clinically unstable but nuts?No, I find I migrate towards nuts as a positive.What's better than a person who views society as a platform to live their life on as they desire?Now I'm sure there are more than a few societal peeps who toss me in that nuts category because I'm living my life in the gender I chose.So, since the mentally ill label for me has now been shifted to a kinder and gentler gender dysphoria, I feel better.Now I can go on with my life with a quiet pride of being nuts...now if I can keep that damn squirrel out of the Condo....
    1287 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • Until very recently, I wasn't totally aware I was automatically labeled as mentally ill by the psychiatric community.I knew that sometimes I viewed myself as slightly off kilter when compared to most of societies "norms".The deal was for the longest time, I did attach quite a bit of it to my gender dysphoria.Much later in life, I finally figured out all my mental restlessness and my basic disregard for authority had absolutely nothing to do with what side of the gender fence I was on.If there is a gene which triggered my "jender-jump" then is there another which triggered a "who the hell are you to tell me what to do?" gene?When I can't sit through a conversation without thinking of two or three alternatives-does that make me nuts?Certainly both of those traits carried through to my feminine life.If you want to use the "N" words (normal or nuts) to describe an overall mental state, then go for it.I truthfully found both be rather impossible.Anyone who I tried to slap the normal word on proved to be a huge mistake. They weren't but what the hell is normal anyhow?Now I have known a few folks over the years who were clinically unstable but nuts?No, I find I migrate towards nuts as a positive.What's better than a person who views society as a platform to live their life on as they desire?Now I'm sure there are more than a few societal peeps who toss me in that nuts category because I'm living my life in the gender I chose.So, since the mentally ill label for me has now been shifted to a kinder and gentler gender dysphoria, I feel better.Now I can go on with my life with a quiet pride of being nuts...now if I can keep that damn squirrel out of the Condo....
    Aug 19, 2012 1287
  • 10 Aug 2012
    It looks as if my long line of activity with the Veterans Administration  is about to take another turn- for the better.I will explain  later after I pass along another trans veterans experience - not too far away from me. (Northeastern Ohio)This story is much different, comes from a fiancee of a transgender vet and is brutal:"The VA hospital and Community Outpatient Clinics here are some of the worst offenders when it comes to harassment towards the LGBT community. I cannot recall one time that we have had a peaceful experience at the VA. Sometimes I wonder how veterans can be so hateful towards their own just because they are exercising the FREEDOM to b who they are. The LGBT Veterans served their country just like the heterosexual veterans did.  WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? Many VA employees are rude towards the LGBT veterans. It's sad, very sad."She goes on to document employees going out of their way to laugh at, embarrass and just make life miserable for her fiancee.Fortunately, my experience has been almost totally opposite so far.I have heard the VA operates (right or wrong) as very separate entities, which seems to be the case here.The bottom line though is that the NE Ohio VA for the most part HAS to perform the same functions for a trans vet as mine in SW Ohio  The problem is how they do it.My center has had educational and sensitivity training concerning trans vets-and it shows. If it has happened in NE Ohio at all then someone needs to be held responsible. Easy for me to say but at the least the article I read was a great starting point.Back to me, only a final signature stands between me and the VA approving payment for my HRT treatment which they finally decided they could not provide.That's all good. I understand the bureaucratic time frames and along the way I have been treated with respect.Now, having said that-I take nothing for granted. It's not over till its over.At the least the light at the end of the tunnel doesn't seem to be the train. That's all I can ask for.
    1164 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • It looks as if my long line of activity with the Veterans Administration  is about to take another turn- for the better.I will explain  later after I pass along another trans veterans experience - not too far away from me. (Northeastern Ohio)This story is much different, comes from a fiancee of a transgender vet and is brutal:"The VA hospital and Community Outpatient Clinics here are some of the worst offenders when it comes to harassment towards the LGBT community. I cannot recall one time that we have had a peaceful experience at the VA. Sometimes I wonder how veterans can be so hateful towards their own just because they are exercising the FREEDOM to b who they are. The LGBT Veterans served their country just like the heterosexual veterans did.  WHATS THE DIFFERENCE? Many VA employees are rude towards the LGBT veterans. It's sad, very sad."She goes on to document employees going out of their way to laugh at, embarrass and just make life miserable for her fiancee.Fortunately, my experience has been almost totally opposite so far.I have heard the VA operates (right or wrong) as very separate entities, which seems to be the case here.The bottom line though is that the NE Ohio VA for the most part HAS to perform the same functions for a trans vet as mine in SW Ohio  The problem is how they do it.My center has had educational and sensitivity training concerning trans vets-and it shows. If it has happened in NE Ohio at all then someone needs to be held responsible. Easy for me to say but at the least the article I read was a great starting point.Back to me, only a final signature stands between me and the VA approving payment for my HRT treatment which they finally decided they could not provide.That's all good. I understand the bureaucratic time frames and along the way I have been treated with respect.Now, having said that-I take nothing for granted. It's not over till its over.At the least the light at the end of the tunnel doesn't seem to be the train. That's all I can ask for.
    Aug 10, 2012 1164
  • 09 Aug 2012
    I don't know a transgender, cross dresser or transsexual person whose life has been a totally joyous experience. Of course elevated rates of suicide in the trans community are well documented.Every once in a while, I come across a very positive site which involves our culture. Kris Schroeder authors a very positive blog which includes transgender and trans families.An example is a link to a blog called the the transgentle wife.Kris's blog is full of examples such as this and you can go here to read more: !http://krisschroeder.com/ This blog is a must if you are trans and married or considering it!
    1613 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • I don't know a transgender, cross dresser or transsexual person whose life has been a totally joyous experience. Of course elevated rates of suicide in the trans community are well documented.Every once in a while, I come across a very positive site which involves our culture. Kris Schroeder authors a very positive blog which includes transgender and trans families.An example is a link to a blog called the the transgentle wife.Kris's blog is full of examples such as this and you can go here to read more: !http://krisschroeder.com/ This blog is a must if you are trans and married or considering it!
    Aug 09, 2012 1613
  • 23 Jul 2012
    Certainly transgender women and men have never "cornered" the market on suicide thoughts and attempts but sometimes I think we dominate it. Here's another story: "Jay Ladin took out a two-year life insurance policy in 2006, intending to kill himself and leave everything to his three children. After he discovered insurers would refuse to pay out on the policy in the event of a suicide, Ladin took out another life insurance policy of sorts: becoming Joy Ladin".  (pictured on right) I will argue with anyone that until you walk in our transgender shoes, (heels or wingtips) you have no idea how easy it is to not being able to find a solution. As facts and figures are starting to be collected it seems at least one out of four young trans youth have considered or tried suicide. Very recently I have had the chance to interact closely with four transgender friends who are wonderful examples of the yin and yang. I need to point out that all four of these folks identify transgender and not transsexual at this point in their lives.  For the sake of clarification in this post, I'm using the transsexual term for a person who desires a full genital change and the transgender term for a person whose desire to live a life dictated more from a mental basis. Between the four I was able to ride the Yin and Yang trans roller coaster at it's finest and most varied. My spirits soared with a friend who is going through a successful coming out party with the world and one who is on the verge. My heart went out to the other two in various stages of figuring how to live a life they desperately need to exist in this world. Regardless of current circumstance, the four of them and I have all most likely visited the dark side. One has for sure as I heard the story of an all too handy pistol. Mine was a bottle of pills which I thought had a very good chance of doing the job but fortunately didn't. I can't speak for the other three. More than likely, most have you have visited that totally dark room.  You can't find a door or a window or even a sliver of light to guide you out. Truthfully I don't know what to call the moment when you find that light "Yin or Yang" and it doesn't matter. All that really matters is reality.  If you have passed on- certainly most will remember your gender legacy-the wrong one. That little flicker of light that appears in your dark room just may be more light than you will see when Yang closes your coffin lid. I'm selfish, I want you all to experience the joy of self acceptance with "Yin" and mention how proud and happy I am for my one friend!
    1218 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • Certainly transgender women and men have never "cornered" the market on suicide thoughts and attempts but sometimes I think we dominate it. Here's another story: "Jay Ladin took out a two-year life insurance policy in 2006, intending to kill himself and leave everything to his three children. After he discovered insurers would refuse to pay out on the policy in the event of a suicide, Ladin took out another life insurance policy of sorts: becoming Joy Ladin".  (pictured on right) I will argue with anyone that until you walk in our transgender shoes, (heels or wingtips) you have no idea how easy it is to not being able to find a solution. As facts and figures are starting to be collected it seems at least one out of four young trans youth have considered or tried suicide. Very recently I have had the chance to interact closely with four transgender friends who are wonderful examples of the yin and yang. I need to point out that all four of these folks identify transgender and not transsexual at this point in their lives.  For the sake of clarification in this post, I'm using the transsexual term for a person who desires a full genital change and the transgender term for a person whose desire to live a life dictated more from a mental basis. Between the four I was able to ride the Yin and Yang trans roller coaster at it's finest and most varied. My spirits soared with a friend who is going through a successful coming out party with the world and one who is on the verge. My heart went out to the other two in various stages of figuring how to live a life they desperately need to exist in this world. Regardless of current circumstance, the four of them and I have all most likely visited the dark side. One has for sure as I heard the story of an all too handy pistol. Mine was a bottle of pills which I thought had a very good chance of doing the job but fortunately didn't. I can't speak for the other three. More than likely, most have you have visited that totally dark room.  You can't find a door or a window or even a sliver of light to guide you out. Truthfully I don't know what to call the moment when you find that light "Yin or Yang" and it doesn't matter. All that really matters is reality.  If you have passed on- certainly most will remember your gender legacy-the wrong one. That little flicker of light that appears in your dark room just may be more light than you will see when Yang closes your coffin lid. I'm selfish, I want you all to experience the joy of self acceptance with "Yin" and mention how proud and happy I am for my one friend!
    Jul 23, 2012 1218
  • 16 Jul 2012
    Quite the question right? All that male "privilege" we so gladly gave up-how's that workin' for ya? I can't speak for all of you but if I did, probably most of you would say it's a learning process but you are doing the best you can. Some would argue it's not a man's world after all and how about you FtM trans men who are ready to enter it? The best argument is that it's a gender world and becoming more and more so. I have a grandson who tanked an important placement test basically because his older sister did so well on it. Sure, if you are blessed with those model like good looks that most genetic women aren't blessed with; maybe you would have a sort of female privilege. In the meantime making it in the gender world is a real effort. Almost everything comes at you from a different angle. The biggest different angle is when you find how much of a women's world it is. Since you have decided to enter their world, you are fair game. The good part is most of the women I have encountered have been wonderful. The fact remains though some of the ugliest moments I can remember have come from female encounters and women are much meaner to each other than men are. As you learn to make it in a man's world...don't forget the gender who runs the show. Women.
    1146 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • Quite the question right? All that male "privilege" we so gladly gave up-how's that workin' for ya? I can't speak for all of you but if I did, probably most of you would say it's a learning process but you are doing the best you can. Some would argue it's not a man's world after all and how about you FtM trans men who are ready to enter it? The best argument is that it's a gender world and becoming more and more so. I have a grandson who tanked an important placement test basically because his older sister did so well on it. Sure, if you are blessed with those model like good looks that most genetic women aren't blessed with; maybe you would have a sort of female privilege. In the meantime making it in the gender world is a real effort. Almost everything comes at you from a different angle. The biggest different angle is when you find how much of a women's world it is. Since you have decided to enter their world, you are fair game. The good part is most of the women I have encountered have been wonderful. The fact remains though some of the ugliest moments I can remember have come from female encounters and women are much meaner to each other than men are. As you learn to make it in a man's world...don't forget the gender who runs the show. Women.
    Jul 16, 2012 1146
  • 16 Jul 2012
    Here are two or three comments I made in passing when I was talking to my VA therapist the other day which she found humorous. I thought I would pass them along with the warning "Hey! The jokes don't get any better!" Hormonal changes: First major hot flash. I thought the stories I read as a kid about spontaneous combustion burning a human alive from within were true! Soon I thought I would be a pile of ash. Skin changes. Need head to toe moisterizer. Recommendation? 10W 30 Quaker State. Biggest surprise breast change? Under boob sweat. I know if I was a stand up comic...you would want to throw your beer bottle at me by now...but that's why they make them plastic!!!!!
    1968 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • Here are two or three comments I made in passing when I was talking to my VA therapist the other day which she found humorous. I thought I would pass them along with the warning "Hey! The jokes don't get any better!" Hormonal changes: First major hot flash. I thought the stories I read as a kid about spontaneous combustion burning a human alive from within were true! Soon I thought I would be a pile of ash. Skin changes. Need head to toe moisterizer. Recommendation? 10W 30 Quaker State. Biggest surprise breast change? Under boob sweat. I know if I was a stand up comic...you would want to throw your beer bottle at me by now...but that's why they make them plastic!!!!!
    Jul 16, 2012 1968
  • 12 Jul 2012
    My appointment yesterday with my VA psychologist went extremely well. (I'm a transgender veteran.) My hours with her have been incredibly pleasant and to give a few of you new visitors (Thanks!!!) a quick history: This process was the required start to my hormone journey (HRT) through the Veteran's Administration which started last October. The particular "warm and fuzzies" came when she commented several times how far she could see the hormones have taken me and she could see how happy I was. No matter how much fun vanity is on occasion, my real reason for the visit was to connect more dots within the VA to not have to go to an outside provider.  If I do have to go outside again, I feel the system should support me since no service is available in my center. The good news was the center is expected to add an endoctrinist who can prescribe and monitor hormone therapy. I also learned of the in house "Advocate" who I'm going to contact today. She is the specific person I can explain my problems to and see if she comes up with a resolution. My therapist also told me the whole center is undergoing transgender training.  In part it explains why the last time I called, the person I talked to knew immediately which direction to send me. No transfers-no holding...wow! So today it's back on the offensive with the Advocate.  Sounds like a TV show? (no pun attended) I'll let you know!
    1242 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • My appointment yesterday with my VA psychologist went extremely well. (I'm a transgender veteran.) My hours with her have been incredibly pleasant and to give a few of you new visitors (Thanks!!!) a quick history: This process was the required start to my hormone journey (HRT) through the Veteran's Administration which started last October. The particular "warm and fuzzies" came when she commented several times how far she could see the hormones have taken me and she could see how happy I was. No matter how much fun vanity is on occasion, my real reason for the visit was to connect more dots within the VA to not have to go to an outside provider.  If I do have to go outside again, I feel the system should support me since no service is available in my center. The good news was the center is expected to add an endoctrinist who can prescribe and monitor hormone therapy. I also learned of the in house "Advocate" who I'm going to contact today. She is the specific person I can explain my problems to and see if she comes up with a resolution. My therapist also told me the whole center is undergoing transgender training.  In part it explains why the last time I called, the person I talked to knew immediately which direction to send me. No transfers-no holding...wow! So today it's back on the offensive with the Advocate.  Sounds like a TV show? (no pun attended) I'll let you know!
    Jul 12, 2012 1242
  • 28 Mar 2012
    Recently the local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) channel in my area ran a documentary about the black civil rights struggles in the deep south in the early 1960's. The marches, protests and boycotts by the black community led to the Civil Right's Act of 1964. (from Wikipedia) "The landmark legislation was a piece of legislation in the United States  that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public ("public accommodations")." What is happening now is that transgendered and transsexual groups are using the legislation to argue we are one of the remaining groups in our country still being denied rights as Americans under the law. "The bill was called for by President John F. Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11, 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public—hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar establishments," as well as "greater protection for the right to vote." Kennedy delivered this speech following a series of protests from the African-American community, the most concurrent being the Birmingham campaign which concluded in May 1963." In 1964, I was in my early teens and of course followed all of this. Little did I know how it would affect me later!
    1344 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • Recently the local PBS (Public Broadcasting System) channel in my area ran a documentary about the black civil rights struggles in the deep south in the early 1960's. The marches, protests and boycotts by the black community led to the Civil Right's Act of 1964. (from Wikipedia) "The landmark legislation was a piece of legislation in the United States  that outlawed major forms of discrimination against African Americans and women, including racial segregation. It ended unequal application of voter registration requirements and racial segregation in schools, at the workplace and by facilities that served the general public ("public accommodations")." What is happening now is that transgendered and transsexual groups are using the legislation to argue we are one of the remaining groups in our country still being denied rights as Americans under the law. "The bill was called for by President John F. Kennedy in his civil rights speech of June 11, 1963, in which he asked for legislation "giving all Americans the right to be served in facilities which are open to the public—hotels, restaurants, theaters, retail stores, and similar establishments," as well as "greater protection for the right to vote." Kennedy delivered this speech following a series of protests from the African-American community, the most concurrent being the Birmingham campaign which concluded in May 1963." In 1964, I was in my early teens and of course followed all of this. Little did I know how it would affect me later!
    Mar 28, 2012 1344
  • 27 Mar 2012
    For the life of me I have never figured out why some in this community go out of their way to be negative to others who they perceive to be leading their lifes wrong in the transgender culture. At times they even go as far as to comment that a transgendered individual may even hurt the transsexuals in the public eye. In fact it just happened to me!   Here is the comment. It comes from a blog I write.   I wrote a story on "Jenna" the transsexual woman who was disqualified from the Miss Canada beauty pageant and here is one response:   "Anne" today sent in another thought provoking comment. I started to respond directly to it but then decided I needed to do a little more. Here's the comment: "I am wondering how you feel about the distinction between being trans-gender, ie "presenting" as the gender opposite to that matching the sexual characteristics with which you were born....and, being trans-sexual, ie going through that extremely difficult process of changing those physical characteristics to match the brain sex with which you were born. You see if you do see the distinction and can accept that HUGE difference then perhaps you can see why organizations like MUC must exclude the transgendered from those contests designed for women. If you cannot make that distinction or simply refuse to accept it, then you contribute to the push back against that preposterous claim that "presenting" female actually makes one female and will continue to cause problems for young women like Jenna." First of all, I believe sex and gender are different. Let's make that distinction. I don't feel the transsexual elitists are any better than the narrow minded red neck sitting at the end of the bar in their thought patterns. Let's use the quote of the day I just posted and change it to "You aren't a woman. You are an operation." I don't care what equipment you carry. I'm a libertarian. Spend your life on this planet the best way you know how. That includes gender. Secondly, I know a few vocal transsexual elitists feel their "extremely difficult" process was somehow more difficult than any other of us mere transgendered folks or cross dressers. I agree their process was more painful and expensive but that is it. I see it as an effort to transfer the "male privilege" they experienced to a "transsexual privilege" they think they deserve. I do not think MUC should be forced to take Jenna but I do believe in her right to force the issue. It seems to me you are contradicting yourself at this point.  MUC is most certainly is pushing back at our entire culture no matter how we identify. How can you begin to say this is the fault of the transgendered culture? You didn't say a word about how wrong it was for Jenna to be rejected. Really? Finally, let me use your push back phrase. As I started to live my life in my chosen gender, the biggest push back I experienced was from the transsexual elitists I have encountered on line. Dare I say some have bordered on the jealous and bitter side? For the life of me, I don't know why Anne? I'm just another human trying to live life the best I can. Does it make it wrong that I am accepted in the places I go as a trans person? Some trans-nazi's seem to think it is. Let's use you as an example. If you are in a restaurant near me and you are an attractive transsexual operated woman, you have a couple choices. If indeed you notice me at all, you could stay stealth and say nothing or whisper to the people you are with (throwing me under the bus for your own perceived superiority) or try to say something to me. Let me follow this point up with another. Compare appearance with all the expensive operations in the world.  I  have certainly seen more than a couple transsexual women who just don't make the female grade. At that point do they keep their female privilege card to use the restroom because of all the money they spent? What about the female to male transgendered folks? Do they contribute to the push back too? I will say it again and again Anne.  I do my best to "push forward" in my life and in anyway possible help others who may be on the same path.  I do not believe you can spend your way into becoming a woman and I'm sure Jenna feels the same way although I can't speak for her. I believe it would be Jenna who would use the "preposterous" word to think transgendered women hurt her chances to be accepted in the pageant. Oh, by the way. I'm only presenting as me. Until science evolves to a point a trans woman can birth a child we are all the same.  As a friend once told me "Beware, all the operations and hormones in the world do not often make a man a woman."   Bottom line?   How much farther could we progress in the world if we did it together? It should be a free world and we all should be entitled to our opinion and I don't begrudge "Anne" or anyone their feelings. Even though I have no understanding of them!
    1278 Posted by Jessie Hart
  • For the life of me I have never figured out why some in this community go out of their way to be negative to others who they perceive to be leading their lifes wrong in the transgender culture. At times they even go as far as to comment that a transgendered individual may even hurt the transsexuals in the public eye. In fact it just happened to me!   Here is the comment. It comes from a blog I write.   I wrote a story on "Jenna" the transsexual woman who was disqualified from the Miss Canada beauty pageant and here is one response:   "Anne" today sent in another thought provoking comment. I started to respond directly to it but then decided I needed to do a little more. Here's the comment: "I am wondering how you feel about the distinction between being trans-gender, ie "presenting" as the gender opposite to that matching the sexual characteristics with which you were born....and, being trans-sexual, ie going through that extremely difficult process of changing those physical characteristics to match the brain sex with which you were born. You see if you do see the distinction and can accept that HUGE difference then perhaps you can see why organizations like MUC must exclude the transgendered from those contests designed for women. If you cannot make that distinction or simply refuse to accept it, then you contribute to the push back against that preposterous claim that "presenting" female actually makes one female and will continue to cause problems for young women like Jenna." First of all, I believe sex and gender are different. Let's make that distinction. I don't feel the transsexual elitists are any better than the narrow minded red neck sitting at the end of the bar in their thought patterns. Let's use the quote of the day I just posted and change it to "You aren't a woman. You are an operation." I don't care what equipment you carry. I'm a libertarian. Spend your life on this planet the best way you know how. That includes gender. Secondly, I know a few vocal transsexual elitists feel their "extremely difficult" process was somehow more difficult than any other of us mere transgendered folks or cross dressers. I agree their process was more painful and expensive but that is it. I see it as an effort to transfer the "male privilege" they experienced to a "transsexual privilege" they think they deserve. I do not think MUC should be forced to take Jenna but I do believe in her right to force the issue. It seems to me you are contradicting yourself at this point.  MUC is most certainly is pushing back at our entire culture no matter how we identify. How can you begin to say this is the fault of the transgendered culture? You didn't say a word about how wrong it was for Jenna to be rejected. Really? Finally, let me use your push back phrase. As I started to live my life in my chosen gender, the biggest push back I experienced was from the transsexual elitists I have encountered on line. Dare I say some have bordered on the jealous and bitter side? For the life of me, I don't know why Anne? I'm just another human trying to live life the best I can. Does it make it wrong that I am accepted in the places I go as a trans person? Some trans-nazi's seem to think it is. Let's use you as an example. If you are in a restaurant near me and you are an attractive transsexual operated woman, you have a couple choices. If indeed you notice me at all, you could stay stealth and say nothing or whisper to the people you are with (throwing me under the bus for your own perceived superiority) or try to say something to me. Let me follow this point up with another. Compare appearance with all the expensive operations in the world.  I  have certainly seen more than a couple transsexual women who just don't make the female grade. At that point do they keep their female privilege card to use the restroom because of all the money they spent? What about the female to male transgendered folks? Do they contribute to the push back too? I will say it again and again Anne.  I do my best to "push forward" in my life and in anyway possible help others who may be on the same path.  I do not believe you can spend your way into becoming a woman and I'm sure Jenna feels the same way although I can't speak for her. I believe it would be Jenna who would use the "preposterous" word to think transgendered women hurt her chances to be accepted in the pageant. Oh, by the way. I'm only presenting as me. Until science evolves to a point a trans woman can birth a child we are all the same.  As a friend once told me "Beware, all the operations and hormones in the world do not often make a man a woman."   Bottom line?   How much farther could we progress in the world if we did it together? It should be a free world and we all should be entitled to our opinion and I don't begrudge "Anne" or anyone their feelings. Even though I have no understanding of them!
    Mar 27, 2012 1278