The Transphobia I am Facing - Post #23

      Since I disclosed my authentic self to the world, I have received more support than I could imagine. However, I have also faced some Transphobic people as well.  Even though the positive people in my life dwarf the negative ones in comparison, the few negative experiences can be very disappointing, even hurtful at times. Like all of my posts, I hope this one will help teach awareness on how difficult it can be in being transgender.

     Last month, I had to go to court so I could get my name and gender marker legally changed. During that time, I had to testify on how I have been bullied, harassed and discriminated because of being transgender. Even though testifying was very difficult, it was also liberating, especially considering that I won the motion. Unfortunately, the novelty of that victory is only felt for a short time. The reality is, there will always be some people who will never except me for being me.  So far, I have had family members claim that I am going against God and science; but little do they know I was born this way, and science supports it. I have had other fellow Christian believers to even go as far as trying to get me kicked off the pulpit as a minister. Lately, I have had a local community person claim that I was being selfish because my wife married a man, not a woman.  For whatever reason, this person refuses to accept that my wife is totally behind me, and she knew who she was marrying long before we got married.  Some people assume that my sexual orientation has changed because I am a transgender woman.  Please do not assume, ask. Why people chose to hate instead of love is beyond me. Perhaps, it is because some people are afraid of what they do not understand.  However, the same people who criticize me are usually the same people who do not like to be criticized themselves. Never accept criticism from someone you would never turn to for advice.  As a minister, it is disappointing that some churches teach to be hurtful towards people they do not understand.  Why they chose to skip the Gospels and then take Biblical passages out of historical context to justify their hate is beyond me. One believer even tried to justify their prejudice as it is human nature to discriminate against something. Perhaps that person misses the whole concept why a person goes to church and is taught to follow our Lord and Savior instead of man.  I remember growing up, I was taught the same thing, and I became cynical towards others. One thing I have learned is, by keeping ourselves close minded not only does it potentially prevent us from building relationships with other people, but it also can prevent us from growing as a person.  I had no chance of discovering my authentic self when I was younger, and I suffered for it for almost 50 years.  My Hope and Prayer is that less people will suffer in the future like so many of us have in the past.  As I continue to grow and discover a level of happiness I never allowed myself to experience, I have learned that I need to duck and roll around the negativity that may face me.  We all can only hope that we as a society will learn to grow softer hearts with empathy towards others.  I can only hope and pray that I will live my life as a good example for my fellow mankind while encouraging others to do the same.

Hugs

Jade