Some random thoughts on what I consider a very good post:
I also get angry when I think about the things society will accept and the things they won't. There are, e.g., plenty of people who will get far more upset about TGism than they will about war. For that matter, there are people who don't get the least bit upset about war.
As for this argument that we need to come out "to help the cause", it's a bitter and useless one, I think. Those who have so great a need to come out that they think it outweighs the risks will do so. Others will say the risk far outweighs the need--or maybe they don't even feel the need. It's up to each person to decide for him/herself.
As for me, I'm coming out. My need has become so great that I've finally said, "Damn the consequences!"
One more point: I don't think it's ignorance that hurts us, but rather bad-minded people. Preparatory to getting out in public, I've outed myself to seven people in the last few days (with plans to come out to three more on Monday). These seven people were uniformly accepting and supportive--yet not a one of them knew a thing about TGism. A couple of them said, "Transgenderism--what is that exactly?" So I ended up having a pretty good chat with 3 or 4 of them. They were sympathetic to us and willing to learn.
My point is that decent people will be generous, even to those they don't understand in the least. Bad people will be nasty, even if, and maybe especially if, they have something of an understanding of others. There's no point in trying to educate the bad-minded. You have to decide whether you're willing to stand up to them.
Best wishes, Annabelle
