Feeling Amazing!

[Valarie]

So I have not been on in awhile, (no I did not purge if anything my wardrobe got bigger) classes have been harder and my job on campus is much more demanding this semester. Awhile ago I had a post about my university blocking access to this site. I was upset and got down because I really liked to get on here during my down time, and I love the support I get from you wonderful ladies. Since I do not get home until late and I have homework I don't dress as much as I can. I do my make up and usually put on something comfortable like my yoga pants.

My therapist encouraged me to challenge the site being blocked since I go to it for support when I feel depressed. I thought about it and tried then I got worried that I would be outing myself. So I just put it off.

Two weeks ago I made a friend on campus that is gender fluid he always has awesome heels. We started talking and I mentioned this site. He told me he used to get on here too but noticed it was blocked. I decided from there I would write the letter. I wrote two one for the Chief Security Office that has the access to restrict content, and the second to the Office of Students Rights. I sent them off on Tuesday anonymously, and I think I made a strong argument.

At this moment I am posting this right before my last class of the day. :D

[Suzanne F]

Thanks for being brave and sticking up for yourself!
Suzanne

[Brea Lynn]

Good on you for doing that, and good on the school for the quick turn around.

[Katey888]

Nice one Valarie!

The power of politeness and a strong argument - Aristotle would be proud of you... :)

It will be good to see you back here more frequently... :hugs:

Katey x

[Adriana Moretti]

that is great you were able to make that happen. I remember you mentioning that it was blocked...it will be nice to have that pretty face around !!!

[Barbie Anne]

Congratulations on your victory. :)

[Caden Lane]

I think you missed the bigger element here. Good for you and standing up for you AND your friend...not to mention any other CD's or TG there that need support.

[LenGray]

That's great! :) I'm so glad for you and can't wait to see you around ^_^

[Valarie]

I wrote the letter in a narrative to where the reader would not be sure if I was a mtf cd, ftm cd, or transgender. I removed myself from the narrative and made it more about what is morally right and not about me. I think that helped plus I quoted the universities own honor code and that they were not living up to it, I went right to the jugular with that one. I am at a point where I am not ashamed of who I am anymore I spent so many years feeling helpless. We come here because we are afraid at times about what people will think and say, and that is great that is what this forum is for. However society can't change unless people make stand, so when I have my nails painted at school I don't give a damn because I look and feel fabulous!

[Greenie]

I am glad they removed it. However, it probably was not blocked intentionally. We have a program we are installing at work, and it blocks trigger words. Normally that lend to porn, since a virus on a network can effect the whole network. Unfortunately most things on google that say CrossDresser are sexually explicit in nature. Probably a quick turnaround because it wasn't intentionally blocked by a human, but accidentally blocked by their software. Glad you were able to talk to them and get that resolved.

I don't know if I would have been harsh towards the school. This website would be blocked by any program just due to its subject nature lending to often being pornographic and a human would need to bypass that. I guarantee they don't have someone sitting there unblocking websites they do't even know about!

[S. Lisa Smith]

Good for you!!! Congrats!!!

[Valarie]

I am glad they removed it. However, it probably was not blocked intentionally. We have a program we are installing at work, and it blocks trigger words. Normally that lend to porn, since a virus on a network can effect the whole network. Unfortunately most things on google that say CrossDresser are sexually explicit in nature. Probably a quick turnaround because it wasn't intentionally blocked by a human, but accidentally blocked by their software. Glad you were able to talk to them and get that resolved.

I don't know if I would have been harsh towards the school. This website would be blocked by any program just due to its subject nature lending to often being pornographic and a human would need to bypass that. I guarantee they don't have someone sitting there unblocking websites they do't even know about!

I know I am a history student, I did my research, it was not done by a single human, I brushed up on how the security systems work. I made it the base of my argument, that if a single human had blocked it then that makes in intentional. But since it was a computer program did it they they themselves probably had no idea that it had been done, so I worded my argument to point out that I was bringing it to their attention because the rules of this forum are similar to the Internet Security Policy towards pornography, and I used the universities honor system to drive the point in that the university is a symbol of society for the spread of ideas and culture. I don't think I was being harsh, harsh would have been going to the School paper, or the LGBTQ Alliance, as an employee and student I am bound by the honor code to address discrimination and bring it to the attention of higher officials. Crossdressing should not be labeled as a bad word, it exist in every culture of the world, and is perfectly normal.

[Beverley Sims]

Interesting ploy about the site blocking, maybe I will advise others to go that path.
Colleges can be strange institutions.

[natcrys]

Sounds like you handled it in a very open and diplomatic way! Very well done and I admire your courage! :)

I also work on a campus, but here the idea of academic freedom is so ingrained that the university doesn't block anything.

[kimdl93]

Glad you spoke out. The people who blocked this site certainly were unaware of its purpose or content. My hope is that because of your overture, they will delve more deeply and realize this is a real resource, not typical internet crap.

[BLUE ORCHID]

Hi Valarie, Aside from the forum being blocked I'm glad that you let your priority's of your classes and job take precedent over your dressing.
You will have your whole live to dress.

[Lucy Lou]

Good for you. I agree about this site and would point out that it has helped me come to terms with what I am and has made me enjoy dressing even more. The world is full of people would do not accept anyone who is different. Glad you have sorted it out. Big hugs Lucy Lou xx

[Greenie]

Crossdressing should not be labeled as a bad word, it exist in every culture of the world, and is perfectly normal.


No dear, that't not my point. What I am saying is that I am part of the IT team at my work. In the blocking programs the word crossdresser is blocked because of the immense amount of porn.

Not because its a "bad word".

Good for you for enlightening them and taking the extra step most people would not take. Bravo.

But I am just playing devils advocate.

Until there are more posts on the internet about cross-dressers doing regular day to day things, and less being sexual in nature, this website will continue to get weeded out through blocked filters.