There are some interesting ideas raised here and Nigella the original post was brilliant and cut to the core of some fundamental issues for me.
If I was gay/lesbian (ok there are debates about CD and gay, but I don't think I am.. gay) I would want public acceptance. If I was truly transgendered and wanted to go TS... I would want public acceptance.
I think the problem we have in the CD community is that many of us (and I suspect the majority) do not want to be "out" - it is a "garage" activity to deal with our own "self-perceived" issues. We are happy being within closed doors.
But, there are others who want the right (quite rightly and properly) to be accepted in "the broader society". In that situation, we want to be able to go down to the supermarket, post letters.. in our own neighbourhood... and go to work (the biggy !) dressed, and it is all accepted... dreamworld scenario.
If we are given this right by society, there will still be problems as many CD's will still not want to express their preferences openly.
However... unless we collectively seek to win a change in public perception, we (as a community) could seriously undermine the needs of some of our community (those who want to be openly "out" and acceptably visible) their "human rights" to self-express.
How do we raise public acceptance when I reckon 80% of us aren't bothered about it and could I suggest percieve it as a threat?
Sorry if this is deep... Nigella has hit a big point!
Kaz xx
