Hi there,

My name is Jessica and I am a visual artist making a body of work about the way Western Culture responds to the transgender community. I would like to say that I am not transgender myself, however a close friend of mine is transitioning and her experience has been one of emotional highs and lows. The work itself is not about being transgender as I cannot position myself as having experienced this, however I have watched my friend struggle with acceptance from loved ones, abuse in the street, depression and fear. I am interested in holding up a mirror and critiquing the way Western Culture positions us to respond to transgender. In saying that, I am interested in all experiences, both posititive and negative. I feel that we as a culture are so rigid in our binaries that you are either a 'girl' or a 'boy' and that there is no where in between. It feels to me that our attitudes are where they were 30 years ago in response to gay rights (i'm from Australia and homosexuality was illegal until 1984). I am aiming that this work acts as a marker of where we are now culturally and would value any response that the community on GS has.

I am very interested to know,

what have the responses been of the people around you since you came out as trans?

What is the hardest thing about being trans? This can be anything from the physical, emotional and practical.

If you had to assign an emotion to your general state before you identified as trans what would it be? Has it differered since you came out?

Often people from the transgender community are portrayed by mainstream as the exotic 'other' or as someone who is abnormal. Has this been your experience?

In one sentence, what would you like to say to the wider community about being transgender?

You can answer any or all of these questions. I thank you all in advance for considering them. I feel it is extremely important that as an artist who isn't transgender, that my work is not a perpetuater of stereotypes. It has been a humbling experience being allowed in on the courageous transition my friend has undertaken.

Have a wonderful day

Hi Jessica,

 Just sharing a thought prompted by your statement "interested in holding up a mirror to critique Western Culture.."As someone who transitioned in their late 40s, there were moments I remember looking at that physical visual  mirror and seeing a person who was unhappy,I did not want to look at myself or have any photos because they were a constant reminder of how I looked to others which was very different to my idea of myself and how I wanted to be  treated and interact with this society.

           The emotions I had pre transition can be described as a all reactions to a denial of self development.Its true there are many people in society who simply just do not understand or are  dismissive phrasing the view that you are just a person "unhappy with their lot".You feel you are being judged and its very depressing when it seems they have the right to speak but you dont.Its a feeling of being socially isolated and outcast, being turned in on yourself and hidden.Then there is the emotion of hope and seeing those glimmers of acceptance and communication,joy , thinking that you can find a way forward

The emotion of Transition is a release and liberation, a taking control of your development and life.You kind of disable the judgemental,misinformed types getting to you, by choosing not to occupy their space.and living in a world of past expectations.You have the emotion of being able to live in society on your terms.Much of this you kind of have to give yourself[does that make sense?]

There is nothing wrong with being transgendered.we are part of the same society just simply need the time and space to assert our own identity inorder to resolve our internal conflict

Hi Donna,

I would like to thank you sincerely for taking the time to respond with your thoughts and very poetic words. I think your last sentence, "There is nothing wrong with being transgendered.we are part of the same society just simply need the time and space to assert our own identity inorder to resolve our internal conflict" really highlights just how problematic our attitudes towards gender really are. Would I be right in saying it is about the need for inclusiveness and true acceptance without having the 'be' like everyone else? Beacuse transgender people are different, in the sense they don't conform to strict 'traditonal' gender binaries, but that is nothing abnormal. Difference is such a wonderful thing - it is western cultures need to identify and contain which is abnormal.

Thank you for giving me some insight on your personal experience - I'm sure in years from now, next generations will be (hopefully) wondering how we could have been so narrow minded. As someone who transistioned in their late 40's, I imagine there has been a large amount of your life that you have felt that you have been 2 people. Can I ask what your earliest memory of feeling like you were in the wrong body was?