SthrnCom4t
Posts: 343
Joined: 9/9/2007 Status: offline
|
Otters and I had this discussion yesterday after I read his initial post. There is a filter/sensitivity around being trans which colors perception. I watch him get caught up in the comments of this board, and then I remind him about the reality of our interactions with people. There are so many variables to this issue, and of course, some people are more invested emotionally than others. I have found that unfamiliarity with an experience let's us presume 'how it would be' if.....X. All sides should be respected for their preferences, even if we don't agree with how they came to that conclusion. We are all on our own evolutionary time line, and we can't control other people's thoughts and reactions. From my personal observations the reactions from strangers viewing Otters has been the following: 1) Confusion - As humans we 'identify' someone with a gender label as part of the 'recognition' process. Sometimes this causes a short-circuit type reaction, which I don't interpret as 'rejection', just confusion. In such cases, the ensuing next step can be a smile, looking away, or turning their grocery cart 180 degrees and walking away. 2) Friendly - especially if Otters is his usual charming self. The androgynous look coupled with a friendly energy engages people and they react to his laughing eyes and open smile. 3) Guarded or Aloof - Again, this is not rejection, but it is cautious. Last week we were on a work duty shift for the retreat we went to. When Otter stepped away, the girl we were working with asked how she should address him (as him or her). She asked because she didn't want to offend, and she stated her previous interaction with a trans person was that the gurl got very upset by being referred to as 'him'. As someone who lives with a trans person, this is not a black/white issue. We are the sum of our experiences, and for the majority of our society it is still a binary logarithm of male vs female. I know Otters as a 'him' because that was how we first interacted. Even when presenting as female, I still refer using the male pronoun. Our society is evolving, and probably some day, we'll have a more accurate set of pronoun options. Our English language has a large gap here, and the substitution usage of the word 'it' is perceived by most as incredibly insulting. I propose that this is not intended to be insulting, but rather for those binary thinkers, it could be a logical conclusion. Just recently I started introducing Otters with his first (boy name) and second name (girl name), not as an *or* but in the complete. (I have a bio female friend who's name is Michael Ann. There are plenty of names that can be used for either gender, let's just be straight up with this.) For now, he is both, and I want to acknowledge and honor these attributes. Five years from now, things may be different, and we'll re-evaluate. I think that's the other area of confusion....for many, it's a dynamic spectrum. How do those of us not on that trip, know where the trans person is at any given moment in time? There is a fluidity to consider (not the same as but with the same confusing potential) as that of sexual preferences. Much depends on the individuals interacting at the time. As there is more life experience, more confidence, more call to be authentic, the perceived safety of the environment, etc, the self-evolution of trans folk might be moving slowly or quite rapidly. While we are all evolving (hopefully *wink*) in some, it is more obvious than others. It seems to me that respect is required on all sides. That just like previous minority groups in history there will take much work to bring awareness into the mainstream. Unfortunately that trip can include violence, because it is sadly, human nature to lash out in fear. Transfolk - whether you appreciate it or not, you are ambassadors. People will look at you and form opinions based on how you engage and react. Be smart....when I walk out to my car after dark, I'm aware of my surroundings. A balanced survival instinct does not have to be paranoia. Make a conscious choice not to be a victim or live in fear, but to drive you're own destiny.
_____________________________
Sthrn Honorably served by OttersSwim 'The sign of a developed mind is one in which two opposing ideas can coexist' - Oscar Wilde.
|