We've come a long Way!

The only reason you would stand up and speak out for your community is to make life better for the younger generation coming after you. I was a trailblazer and my hope is that my experiences benefit people like me to have a better go of it than I did.

I've written about it before and whatever you do, develop a thick skin. I also ask my creator to "fight my battles." Blessing flow over me for doing so, and the Universe opens new doors for me when I let go and let God. That doesn't mean I don't stand up for myself, I just do it with tact.

In 1969 I was four years old. I knew then that I was different. I identified as a female. This is 1969. Let that sink in. It was out of the question for my parents that I should ever explore my feminine side. Back then the solution was to "slap the shite" out of trans children, and it was acceptable in society.

There was no hate crime bill and what we call the Harry Benjamin Standards of care was not well known in my families' circles. Harry Benjamin (born in 1885), was a German-born American endocrinologist and sexologist, who devised a set of Standards of Care (SOC) for the treatment of gender identity dysphoria, largely based on Benjamin's cases, and studies. It later changed its name to The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), but still reveres its links to Harry Benjamin.

"Transpanic" a defense for cis males for killing trans woman was widely accepted and used in courts, and it was a successful defense at the time. Trans bashing was more prevalent as well. Hollywood also got into the act creating trans characters who were murders and serial killers. The criminalization was three times as bad as it today. Scarier times y'all.

Today things are much better than they were in 1969 and in the early 1970's; however, I don't want things to return to the days of having to hide my gender identity, nor do I want others to experience that either. Things got even better November 9, 2016, when I had gender reassignment surgery November 9, 2016. I live happily as a congruent female.

We need to elect a leader who will fight for our community. One that will not need on the job training. One who knows other leaders from other countries, who can help end discrimination for LGBTQI community members throughout the world. A leader who believes in science and the research that goes into the study of trans issues. One who recognizes that Gender Dysphoria is a medical condition not a mental illness. One who will build on the Affordable Car Act and make treatment options and surgery available for trans patients who want it. One's who have medical clearance based on WPATH regulations and who are  diagnosed by licensed professionals.

It's child abuse to disallow a transgender child to transition (with or without medical treatment) and a child seeking medical treatment (Hormone Replacement Therapy) should be doing so under a doctors' care. The doctor should be following the Harry Benjamin Standards of care along with the support and guidance of parent(s). All members of the trans community should be diagnosed first. Just because a trans child or adult opt out of treatment or surgery, it does not make them any less trans.

In my mind there's only one candidate. He's an older experienced gentleman, who I had a wonderful conversation with on the campaign trail in Durham NC. He's genuine and compassionate and he's the only candidate that will fight for all Americans. He doesn't care what you look like, who you love, or where you come from. He's also the only candidate who will not ignore the T or the Q in LGBTQ.

Síle