Transgendered support

[Teri Jean]

First off to the Mods; mif this is not where this should be posted please help me out.:hugs:

Knormally we talk about the things we are experiencing or asking for help with this or that. This is why this forum is here and thank you all for your imput and observations. But this thread is how we help those who are not members or other transgendered indiviuals.

Now I have sat in many different arenas over the past 40 yrs of being an adult and helped with labor, religious, and veterans issues. But the thought of transgender was not on my tongue until a couple years ago. Then I found my path towards transitioning and finally being myself. A year into my transition and RLE I am approached by the director of the campus LBGT Center about a class she is teaching this semester. She says to me "Teri I have been asked to teach this class and I need help with the transgender portion of the class curriculum." I knew the question that was coming next and if it had been a year ago I would have said no but that was then. Before Jessica could ask I said "Yes, I would be honored." She just stood there with this cute smile and eyes watering.

The point of this thread is not so much questions or answers but the idea of helping. We all have opportunities where we can be called on to help others understand the whats, whys, and hows of being transgendered. Whether it is one on one or in a more formal setting we can make the difference in how we are percieved and treated. Most people have no clue and so if we can educate or at least inform be brave and step out of the comfort zone and be the spokes/person for others.

Until later :hugs::love::drink: Teri

[Teresa Ann]

You Go Girl, make us proud and let us know how it is going I like to hear some feed back from the students in the class. Both positive or negitive but any way it is showing the genaral population that we are normal. Good luck Teri.

[carolinoakland]

Ever since I started doing presentations on Gender for the community college's human sexuality class I've become a more confident woman. We do it so the one's come behind don't have to be afraid to be themselves. Carol

[Teri Jean]

Teresa and Carol, I will be posting the results and feed back but the thing we all should try to do is be our spokesperson for all. Thanks for the encouragement and support over the past couple years. Hugs Teri

[Stlalice]

I do much the same thing through my church - Metropolitan Community Church of Greater St. Louis - sometimes for a class we call Recovering From Homophobic Religions (aka RHR) and sometimes for other groups outside of MCCGSL. If one person comes away from one of those presentations understanding what being transgender/transsexual is like, then I feel that I've done some good. Teri - hang in there and let us know how it goes - the more people like you with the courage to face a room full of strangers and tell your story the better for all of us. :hugs::hugs::love:

[Rianna Humble]

I have been honoured to be given the opportunity to assist the chair of the Parliamentary Transgender Group in the UK parliament to understand more about TG folk. Thankfully, I have been able to enlist the help of one or two others from this board.

It also seems that the release of my story by the local press has encouraged others who do not frequent cd.com - for which I am profoundly grateful.

Anyone who has followed my journey on these forums will know that I ma no trailblazer, but if my story can help others, I am happy that it has been told.

[CharleneT]

I think those class members are lucky to have you to talk to them ;)

:bighug2:

[carolinoakland]

T eri, I often tell people and trans people. We do more as a single person working side by side with someone than any hundred speeches. Because then being Transgender isn't just a word, or a misconception. Being Transgender is the person they know. You.
I had a co worker come out to me as a CD nine months after I went full time. He said that it was seeing me, talking to me, and hearing how well it went, that convinced him to come out of the closet and go out in public. I wonder who He's going to inspire? Carol

[Pattie O]

I think it is wonderful that as you have gained more confidence with your RLE that the world starts to accept you more and this in turn improves your confidence to go forward.I only hope that I can have the same courage one day to go out into the world as my self.:daydreaming::battingeyelashes:

[Teri Jean]

Carol, you are right in that the actions speak volumes. I know there will be those who don't understand and have a preset idea of what comes next. I know I work with about thirty. The thing I found is the work is the same whether in an office setting or construction, just do your job and the rest will go "okay she is still pulling her weight". I think some feel we do this for attention.

The other thing is if we get the chance to step up to the plate and take a swing at helping others understand or step out of their closet, why not. We are or own embassador and should not let the Jerry Springers talk for us. Teri

[7sisters]

Real leaders are those who change the way other people think. Thank you for doing this.

[Teri Jean]

Thanks 7sisters. There may be a day when you will have your moment and then you can do the same as those before us all. Hugs Teri