This latter debate was the reason for my attempt at devilish advocacy earlier:

I'm struggling with the whole structure and agenda and objective of mainstream acceptance right now...
Paula Q gave some good answers to that as to what constitutes practical objectives - AND noted that acceptance would require something of a collective approach... A collective 'stand', if you will...

Lori - your points about equality echo this but what does that mean in real, practical terms? Does it mean legislation? For the US does that mean at the federal level (if that was possible)? For Europe it would be at EU level but still may not be binding on member states. If it means (more) legislation, then what and how? I can see how it might work for TS but for TG? Well, we're back to our categories aren't we... And coming out en masse may be a more powerful message than as individuals but the majority still need to agree and be consistent about what that message is! I'm sure some of the events and conventions that take place in the US are moving that agenda forward, which I think is a Good Thing - I hope more folk feel able to get involved in those events... I am beginning to feel the need to look for similar things here in the UK...

Jen - I think all of those, like you, who go out and just do normal stuff are helping but in a hugely fragmented way. I don't believe the world changes through singular interactions - I may be cynical (Me? ) but I think the reactions are probably more in line with Isha's piece of fieldwork from 6 months ago... People are largely tolerant (a lot of the time because the interaction will be on a commercial server-customer basis, so they have an incentive...) but once they have moved on to the next muggle customer, their memory will just be one of tolerance, which does not equal acceptance. Unfortunately there will also be those who will continue to snicker and ridicule just not in earshot - the rigidly intolerant and unaccepting. Don't let's kid ourselves to the degree of sacrifice that had to be made collectively and by individuals to establish the collective rights and legal status of the LGB community (my respect for them grows the more I learn) - but we need to be clear about what the objective and the agenda is before folk will understand what they are rallying around...

By and large, the TS folk here are forced to be trailblazers... I think they deserve our unreserved support but I think that means more than just going to malls or eating in nice restaurants... It'd be easy for me to say "I'll help! But... I can't coz I'm not in the US..." I want to know how I can, but I'll have to do more to understand activism here in the UK... (OK - resolution for 2015 then... )

Katey x