Rhonda Jean
04-29-2016, 06:25 PM
I've never been part of a group that was in the crosshairs of political debate. I go out a lot. Whether I feel more or less secure is situational, but I will say I typically feel different than I did before all the fireworks. The positive responses (Target, for instance) is in response to the negative, the negative in response to the positive, and I can't remember which came first. I have not been a Target shopper. I will go out of my way to become one. It is my duty to do so.
We tend to focus on the negative. Let's not forget, for Target and other big (and small) companies to make a publicly vocal stance in favor of TG employees and customers is HUGE! I suspect there are many companies that have similar policies, they're just not as vocal about it. A couple of years ago this was unthinkable. It took guts, and the courage of conviction. They did it knowing full well that it could have a big negative impact on their bottom line, and they did it anyway. The only meaningful way we can say "thank you" is with our money.
Also, with all the articles posted here I've scrolled down to the comments. The comments are overwhelmingly in our favor. This is a BIG surprise to me. Where did all this support come from? Well, maybe those who have commented have encountered on of us along the way. Maybe we conducted ourselves in such a way that left a positive impression. Maybe those small gestures are paying off!
I've been going out since the '70's. Until very recently, the public I encountered had not only probably never seen a TG person. They probably hadn't had a reason to formulate a strong opinion about us. Whatever they thought about us from then on probably has a lot to do with what they thought about me (and you, in a similar situation). Usually, there was little or no detectable reaction. Fifteen minutes later, or the next day, maybe there was a reaction after they'd had time to digest it and formulate an opinion. I wasn't around to see it. Now the vibe I get is that everybody I encounter has already formulated an opinion. Everybody has seen or is a least aware of Caitlyn Jenner. Everybody has heard about the bathroom issue. When they read me, they already think they know something about me. That's new and different, for those of us who've been going out for a long time.
These are exciting times! I'm not naive. I see all the same stuff the rest of you do. Being someone who is free to choose where and when I dress (or don't), I'm not as affected as many of you are. I get that. I also understand that the haters are more "riled up" than ever. That will effect every aspect of my dressing. I can't honestly say I'm feeling more empowered in public. Privately, though, I'm feeling some of that.
I think strongly that after the storm dies down there will be a net gain. Few of the benefits of this will be felt or enjoyed by me. Already I see more trans visibility. I think the kids being born today will live in an entirely different (and better) society when it comes to acceptance of gender non-conformity.
We tend to focus on the negative. Let's not forget, for Target and other big (and small) companies to make a publicly vocal stance in favor of TG employees and customers is HUGE! I suspect there are many companies that have similar policies, they're just not as vocal about it. A couple of years ago this was unthinkable. It took guts, and the courage of conviction. They did it knowing full well that it could have a big negative impact on their bottom line, and they did it anyway. The only meaningful way we can say "thank you" is with our money.
Also, with all the articles posted here I've scrolled down to the comments. The comments are overwhelmingly in our favor. This is a BIG surprise to me. Where did all this support come from? Well, maybe those who have commented have encountered on of us along the way. Maybe we conducted ourselves in such a way that left a positive impression. Maybe those small gestures are paying off!
I've been going out since the '70's. Until very recently, the public I encountered had not only probably never seen a TG person. They probably hadn't had a reason to formulate a strong opinion about us. Whatever they thought about us from then on probably has a lot to do with what they thought about me (and you, in a similar situation). Usually, there was little or no detectable reaction. Fifteen minutes later, or the next day, maybe there was a reaction after they'd had time to digest it and formulate an opinion. I wasn't around to see it. Now the vibe I get is that everybody I encounter has already formulated an opinion. Everybody has seen or is a least aware of Caitlyn Jenner. Everybody has heard about the bathroom issue. When they read me, they already think they know something about me. That's new and different, for those of us who've been going out for a long time.
These are exciting times! I'm not naive. I see all the same stuff the rest of you do. Being someone who is free to choose where and when I dress (or don't), I'm not as affected as many of you are. I get that. I also understand that the haters are more "riled up" than ever. That will effect every aspect of my dressing. I can't honestly say I'm feeling more empowered in public. Privately, though, I'm feeling some of that.
I think strongly that after the storm dies down there will be a net gain. Few of the benefits of this will be felt or enjoyed by me. Already I see more trans visibility. I think the kids being born today will live in an entirely different (and better) society when it comes to acceptance of gender non-conformity.