Thanks for letting me know I don't pass

[susandrea]

It's based on the presumption that we crossdressers are born the way we are.

Throughout human history, people have been discriminated against for what they were born as. If the presumption is true, then crossdressers are really no different in some respects than many other groups of humans who have been discriminated against for what they were born as.

Even if you remove the presumption, there's still a nearly infinite supply of discrimination against crossdressers based on something that doesn't hurt anyone else any more than a woman wearing pants hurts someone else.

Thank-you.

I posted that pic as a reminder that the way many people are greeted in this world can be seen as -- and felt as -- an insult (obviously).

'Sir'... 'Boy'...'Sweetie'...

Sometimes it happens out of ignorance, sometimes on purpose as a put-down. Historically it was more of a power-play, while today it tends to be out of ignorance (although where you live does affect that.) Just today I felt irked my boss's boss called me 'honey', but I suppose I should be grateful to know she likes me...

The transgender movement is currently fighting very hard to get laws passed that mirror civil rights laws in many ways. Protection from hate crimes, loss of employment, equal treatment at work and in court, ect. I follow those legal battles every day, as well as the news from all over the world of what's going on in the transgender, gay, and civil rights movements.

As for comparing transgender to race or sexual orientation -- you could argue that for years. The gay movement is battling out the 'born as' vs. 'it's a choice' argument in a big way and I don't see that being resolved anytime soon. Many in the religious right jump to add the transgender crowd in the 'choice' group, too.

Will the day ever come when bigotry, misogyny, racism, and homophobia ever disappear? Or is mankind doomed to forever find something about his neighbor that is objectionable in some way? I think that day will come, but only after a daunting amount of work -- and even our grandchildren won't live to see it.

And all you CDs who do venture forth out into the public and just try to get through a day with little fuss and hopefully an honest smile here and there, you will be looked on in the future as the pioneers of the transgender movement, during the first several decades when it was considered a gutsy thing to do.

Be remembered for your grace, intelligence, and fortitude!