Educating the public on who we are.

[michelleupnorth]

It's about time. Lately I've been seeing more and more news stories on who we are as cross dressers and TS people and I have to say that they are meant to be informative and not some Jerry Springer show. I just caught this one about 5 min ago and thought I would post it. We need more stuff like this to educate and not have to fear who we are.

Oh Oh I think the revolution has maybe already started.

http://www.cbc.ca/sunday/2007/04/042207_4.html#comments

[Kierci]

We need to put that on billboards accross the globe. Good Find Girl!!!!!!

[Dasein9]

Keep your fingers crossed for me, willya? I submitted an abstract for a conference on gender at York University. I might actually get to meet Prof. Gilbert if my paper's accepted.

(It's my first real conference submission, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up. It's difficult, though. :))

[Teresa Amina]

I read something about Professor Gilbert last year on the 'net, very interesting. One of the (many) drawbacks of living where I am is that I no longer am able to watch CBC television as I did when living within range of channel 9 in Windsor, ON. Hopefully when I relocate I'll be able to watch again.

[az_azeel]

Sorry but I cant access the link because I use my mobile phone to access the net. However its good that you found the info, I have noticed that there seems to be more and more items on cd, tg, ts in the media be that on tv or even films. I think its gradually becomming more acceptable, there seems to be a lot more unisex clothing available these days, but like any revolution it all takes time. Who knows in ten years time it might be the norm for a man to walk down the street in a skirt, no make up etc and no-one will bat an eyelid.




Take Care :hugs:


az_azeel

[sara_also]

A wonderful post and interview..Let's keep things like this at the top of the list for a very long time..The more people that see things like this, gives us a real sense of being

[susandrea]

That was wonderful. What a super professor! Seems the kids not only tolerate him (and her) but appreciate him as well.

Thanks!:thumbsup:

[Nicole]

Thanks for the link Michelle. I enjoyed the segment. Most of the replies were free from hateful comments, but I did find j's comments offensive:


"I think I am going to stop watching CBC Sundays because I would rather not know how screwed up society has become. Not because I can't cope... but because it has become obvious that a great number of the gender confused are employed in our education system and have influence over children and that CBC appears to be a very neutral platform. Freedom of speach think they call it. Just don't dare ask that your child be transferred to another location because his /her teacher is gender confused." -j

My reply:

j, I understand that watching shows like CBC Sundays might make you uncomfortable by presenting issues that you do not understand nor are ready to face, but that is no excuse to associate "screwed up society" with reference to the issue at hand. Crossdressing and transsexualism is not a "screw up". We are very much a part of society. We are educators, lawyers, grocery clerks, architects, and students. We are your equal. Gender "confusion" is irrelevant. We are not confused. It is the rest of the world that seems to be confused about how to deal with us. You know what we want? Acceptance. Plain and simple. So stop hiding your fear behind "the children" and try to see the truth with an open heart. I was a child once, and had I NOT been so "shielded" by fearful parents I would have been able to accept myself much earlier in life and been a better person for it.

I hope they post my reply! :D

[michelleupnorth]

Thanks for the link Michelle. I enjoyed the segment. Most of the replies were free from hateful comments, but I did find j's comments offensive:



My reply:

j, I understand that watching shows like CBC Sundays might make you uncomfortable by presenting issues that you do not understand nor are ready to face, but that is no excuse to associate "screwed up society" with reference to the issue at hand. Crossdressing and transsexualism is not a "screw up". We are very much a part of society. We are educators, lawyers, grocery clerks, architects, and students. We are your equal. Gender "confusion" is irrelevant. We are not confused. It is the rest of the world that seems to be confused about how to deal with us. You know what we want? Acceptance. Plain and simple. So stop hiding your fear behind "the children" and try to see the truth with an open heart. I was a child once, and had I NOT been so "shielded" by fearful parents I would have been able to accept myself much earlier in life and been a better person for it.

I hope they post my reply! :D

Well said. I do think that it is our job whether in the closet or out to start educating people about who we are. The media can be a very useful tool.

[Nicole]

Well said. I do think that it is our job whether in the closet or out to start educating people about who we are. The media can be a very useful tool.

Exactly. I felt it was important to present the argument from another perspective since the thread is just getting started. I hope it didn't sound too preachy. Talking that way never wins anyone over.

[DawnL]

Michelle,
Thank you for posting this. I thought the interview was incredible and explained out point of view very well. He's a professor I guess he would. I could only hope that some program in the U.S. picks that up. Thanks again.

[Darlene Dippy]

Michelle

Great link, very interesting. There is I think more support than I would have expected but maybe supporters are more moved to reposnd - I don't know?

Karen as to "too prechy" definately not. Clear and Logical. I actually read it before I saw your above post. Thought that has as to be "our" Karen! Its spot on.

Should I apologise for using the word logical, bit maleish thinking!!!!!!!!!

Darlene

[tall_brianna]

Wow, that was an awesome interview. It was great to see the appreciation of others at the courage of conviction it takes to do this. Also interesting reading of the comments.

[Dasein9]

j, I understand that watching shows like CBC Sundays might make you uncomfortable by presenting issues that you do not understand nor are ready to face, but that is no excuse to associate "screwed up society" with reference to the issue at hand. Crossdressing and transsexualism is not a "screw up". We are very much a part of society. We are educators, lawyers, grocery clerks, architects, and students. We are your equal. Gender "confusion" is irrelevant. We are not confused. It is the rest of the world that seems to be confused about how to deal with us. You know what we want? Acceptance. Plain and simple. So stop hiding your fear behind "the children" and try to see the truth with an open heart. I was a child once, and had I NOT been so "shielded" by fearful parents I would have been able to accept myself much earlier in life and been a better person for it.



Thank you for that. :D

[Dixie]

Cool!!!!

[Ruth]

Great interview. Thanks for posting the link. The two presenters at the end were obviously uncomfortable with the subject but I think they were trying their best. Little by little, the world will get the message. Hope I'm still around when it gets through...

[Melanie R]

Yes, this was a great interview. We have to educate the public with the facts because many that are part of the religious right (WRONG) are putting out total lies as indicated in a statement by Colson below. You may remember that Colson was sent to prison for his part in Watergate but was "born again". Now he knows what is right for everyone. Education is working as indicated in a story I read today in the Baptist Press which said that the legislation to include gays and transgendered persons in federal legislation now before Congress may pass in spite of the lobby by the religous right to stop this legislation so they can continue their intolerance and bigotry.

Melanie

Homosexuality

by Colson

Note: Today’s commentary may not be suitable for young children. Please use parental discretion.

They are called “Personal Statements on Being Different.” One of them, from “Esperanza,” reads: “I’ve known for a long time that I am a lesbian.” As a little girl hearing fairy tales about a princess, Esperanza says she knew that, when she grew up, “I would marry the beautiful princess, not the prince.”

Another story involves “Portia,” a boy who grew up feeling like a girl. He changed his name and told his high school principal that he was a transgender. The understanding principal gave him an ID card with his new name on it. Now, “Portia” writes, “I speak about transgender concerns at school” and help other transgender youths get through “the challenges they face.”

These stories are part of the new Montgomery County, Maryland, health classes on homosexuality. They are an illustration of how gay activists are attempting to use public schools to spread pro-gay propaganda—and silence opposition.

These so-called “personal statements”—all supportive of homosexuality and other disorders—are just the beginning. Students are also told that homosexuality is “innate” and permanent—despite much evidence to the contrary. They are taught that the homosexual lifestyle is not only to be tolerated, but also celebrated. Students are told about “transgendered persons” and so-called sex-reassignment surgery. But they are not informed that reputable medical organizations regard transgendered persons as mentally ill and the operation useless.

Some of the lessons are downright dangerous. For example, kids are encouraged to identify their sexual orientation early. But doing so is linked to increased rates of suicide among adolescents, according to some psychologists.

Worst of all, there is no mention whatsoever of the many health hazards associated with the gay lifestyle. A Montgomery County parent group, called Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum, includes an infectious disease specialist, Dr. Ruth Jacobs. Dr. Jacobs put forward a petition signed by 270 doctors asking Montgomery County to warn kids of the health dangers related to homosexuality. Montgomery County ignored it.

This is what we end up with when we have a “health” curriculum developed, not by medical experts, but with the help of determined homosexual activists.

Sadly, these programs offer nothing to teens desperate for help in overcoming homosexual feelings. They don’t learn how successful reparative therapy is, and where they can find it. They are simply told to “celebrate” their homosexuality. Teens with same-sex desires are condemned to a life of confusion, misery, disease, and early death.

A majority of Americans believe that homosexual behavior is immoral, which is why activist gays are targeting our kids with their propaganda, hoping to change them.

We need to make sure that we have accurate, factual information to counteract what is being taught in the schools—and in films, and on television, and on college campuses. And we ought to share this with our kids and grandkids and offer classes at our churches. If you visit our “BreakPoint” website, you will find excellent resources, including books by Harvard psychologist Dr. Joseph Nicolosi.

We need to make sure our children hear some real-life “personal statements” about homosexuality: by those who overcame same-sex attraction, left the gay lifestyle, and entered a joyful—and healthy—new life.

Today's BreakPoint Offer



Learn more about how you can purchase ReWired, the worldview curriculum for teens by BreakPoint and TeenMania.

For Further Reading and Information


Daniel de Vise, “More than 9 in 10 Attend Sex-Ed Pilot Program,” Washington Post, 8 April 2007, C06.

Steve Hendrix, “Teacher Takes a Long View of Sex-Ed,” MSNBC, 10 April 2007.

“Should Sexual Orientation Be Taught in the Classroom?” ABC News, 22 March 2007.

Visit the website for Citizens for a Responsible Curriculum.

Visit the website for the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality.

Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, A Parent’s Guide to Preventing Homosexuality (InterVarsity, 2002).

Dr. Joseph Nicolosi, Healing Homosexuality: Case Stories of Reparative Therapy (Jason Aronson, 1997).

Dr. Warren Throckmorton and Dr. Mark A. Yarhouse, “Sexual Identity Therapy: Practice Framework for Managing Sexual Identity Conflicts,” 2006.

BreakPoint’s “Speak the Truth in Love” resource kit contains many helpful resources about homosexuality.

BreakPoint Commentary No. 040401, “Checking Boxes: Transgender Chic.”

John Colapinto, As Nature Made Him: The Boy Who Was Raised As a Girl (HarperCollins, 2000).

Gina Dalfonzo, “Amanda and Jonathan Witt’s Kids Are My New Heroes,” The Point, 11 April 2007. (On how to talk to your kids about homosexuality and how to treat others.)

[Valerie Nicole]

Melanie, the article you posted is so wrong and rediculous that I don't even know whether I should be offended or not. I mean...wow. Where do these people come from?

[Dasein9]

Thanks for the crossed fingers, ladies.

My submission was accepted. :D

[marie354]

Thanks for the crossed fingers, ladies.

My submission was accepted. :D

C O O L !

[Carin's Wife GG]

when those of us who are supporters of the oppressed speak out. This is not to say that those in the minority should not also speak for themselves but really to say that us *outsiders* can also make a HUGE difference in how the world percieves whatever group happens to be on the latest *hitlist*. And I believe the TG community, along with the GBLTG, are two of the more harrassed groups right now. I will say that racism is also alive and well in our so called civilized society but that is a discussion for another day perhaps.




Louise.

[gennee]

I read Professor Gilbert's story some months back and enjoyed it. He's my kind of person. I believe the best way to educated people is to be out there. The reason that I go out in public is because it's part of me and, I pray, someone can be appreciate others who are different.

Gennee

:happy: