Trans News/ Issues

weatherboi · 09-15-2011, 02:40 PM

http://feministing.com/2011/09/15/10...medium=twitter

I love it when we get to hear from young people about what’s going on in their own lives. Too often, the voices of those most impacted by youth issues are ignored in favor of adults. So I was glad to read the words of a 10-year-old trans girl in England who returned to school this year presenting her actual gender.

The girl’s mom told the Worcester News (in an article unfortunately trapped in the “trapped in the wrong body” frame, but which does keep the girl’s identity anonymous) that the school administration has been supportive of letting her daughter present as a girl, but some parents have walked by them muttering, “That’s that freak family. That’s that freak child.”

Her mom said there has been some bullying from the girl’s peers, but that the cruelty has mostly come from adults. Now let’s hear from the girl herself about how she’s been treated by her friends at school. From an interview on BBC 5 Live, via Pink News:

Of her friends, she said: “They haven’t really said anything. It’s been a little eye-up and then, ‘Whatever’.

“They haven’t really taken any notice. There have been a couple of little glitches but that’ll pass.”

However, she said she was forced to change for games in the disabled toilet after parents complained.

“It is split for girls and boys, but in PE and stuff I do have to be with the boys’ team,” she said.

“But my friends stick up for me and say, ‘He feels like a girl so he can be on the girls’ team’.”

I hope it’s clear that the acceptance she’s felt from her peers is much more important than the specific pronoun they use. Yes, language matters, but I know I greatly prefer the support I get from a friend who genuinely accepts me as myself, even if they’re not up on all the lingo, to someone who talks the talk but doesn’t ultimately treat my identity as valid.

Further, this girl’s experience is a pretty great refutation of “won’t somebody think of the children!”-type moral panic. Actually, seems like the kids will be fine, provided adults don’t poison them with their own hateful ideas.

h/t Dr. Jillian Weiss

J. Mason · 09-22-2011, 12:38 AM

What does everyone think about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell? Does this apply to the trans community?

Jess · 09-22-2011, 07:45 AM

Interesting question, J. Mason. I am not really sure how the military "deals" with or doesn't "deal" with trans persons. I guess I see it ( and this maybe my lack of knowledge) as a separate issue.
DADT, I think, speaks exclusively to the homosexual population within the ranks. I would think that trans issues may be different in a couple of ways, in that a) not all trans persons are homosexual and b) housing/ job assignments/etc are based on physical expression of gender/sex in the military. There really isn't a way to enter the military and "pass" as a sex/gender other than birth assigned, as everyone goes through a pretty thorough physical exam.

It is a very interesting question. I don't personally know any trans people serving ( past or present), but would be interested in hearing how they dealt with it ( serving actively) and how they were treated.

Thanks.

Corkey · 09-22-2011, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Mason

What does everyone think about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell? Does this apply to the trans community?

To answer your question. DADT was only dropped for LBG people. Trans people were never in the equation, ever. I do think this needs to be addressed as there are Trans people who have served, but did not transition during their service. For a person such as myself who did serve, I did so as a female bodied person, even though my mind said otherwise. So far the legal issues have been only for our LBG sisters and brothers, it has left the Trans community high and dry. So will out LBG sisters and brothers get behind including their Trans brothers and sisters? I guess we'll have to wait and see. Personally I don't see LBG folks racing to include Transpeople in most anything. This site being the exception to the rule.

DapperButch · 09-22-2011, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weatherboi

Actually, seems like the kids will be fine, provided adults don’t poison them with their own hateful ideas.

Exactly. Kids don't think there is something wrong with "difference" until we tell them there is.

J. Mason · 09-24-2011, 10:49 AM

Ugh that just sucks that us trans folks were not included in the DADT.

Corkey · 09-24-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J. Mason

Ugh that just sucks that us trans folks were not included in the DADT.

Nor ENDA, there still time to fight for this one.

J. Mason · 09-24-2011, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkey

Nor ENDA, there still time to fight for this one.

True but still I feel the trans folks should have been included in the DADT

Toughy · 09-24-2011, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkey

Nor ENDA, there still time to fight for this one.

The ENDA passed by the House (under Speaker Pelosi) in 2011 was trans-inclusive. It died in the Senate like hundreds of other bills passed by that House. Obama has said he will sign a trans-inclusive bill if it ever gets to his desk.

Nadeest · 09-25-2011, 09:21 AM

Jess, I didn't even realize that I was trans until long after I got out of the military. Therefore, I was treated as a male and was fine with that.
However, from what I understand (and I could certainly be completely wrong), the military would probably treat it as if it were a mental illness and immediately discharge the person if they disclose that they are transsexual. Most of the people that I know that are vets didn't disclose or do anything until after their enlistment had expired.

DapperButch · 09-25-2011, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nadeest

Jess, I didn't even realize that I was trans until long after I got out of the military. Therefore, I was treated as a male and was fine with that.
However, from what I understand (and I could certainly be completely wrong), the military would probably treat it as if it were a mental illness and immediately discharge the person if they disclose that they are transsexual. Most of the people that I know that are vets didn't disclose or do anything until after their enlistment had expired.

http://www.sldn.org/news/archives/nc...y-lead-to-dis/

Jess · 09-25-2011, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nadeest

Jess, I didn't even realize that I was trans until long after I got out of the military. Therefore, I was treated as a male and was fine with that.
However, from what I understand (and I could certainly be completely wrong), the military would probably treat it as if it were a mental illness and immediately discharge the person if they disclose that they are transsexual. Most of the people that I know that are vets didn't disclose or do anything until after their enlistment had expired.

That's kind of what I was thinking. That it would be viewed as an "illness" and a psych discharge would probably ensue.

Thanks for sharing your story.

09-15-2011, 02:40 PM	#1
weatherboi Infamous Member How Do You Identify?: Owned boy Preferred Pronoun?: Hey boy!!! Relationship Status: counting freckles slowly under Her direction!!! Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: i have 2 sets of geographic coordinates!!! Posts: 6,097 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 26,797 Thanked 12,549 Times in 2,993 Posts Rep Power: 21474858	10-year-old trans girl on being bullied by adults and accepted by her peers http://feministing.com/2011/09/15/10...medium=twitter I love it when we get to hear from young people about what’s going on in their own lives. Too often, the voices of those most impacted by youth issues are ignored in favor of adults. So I was glad to read the words of a 10-year-old trans girl in England who returned to school this year presenting her actual gender. The girl’s mom told the Worcester News (in an article unfortunately trapped in the “trapped in the wrong body” frame, but which does keep the girl’s identity anonymous) that the school administration has been supportive of letting her daughter present as a girl, but some parents have walked by them muttering, “That’s that freak family. That’s that freak child.” Her mom said there has been some bullying from the girl’s peers, but that the cruelty has mostly come from adults. Now let’s hear from the girl herself about how she’s been treated by her friends at school. From an interview on BBC 5 Live, via Pink News: Of her friends, she said: “They haven’t really said anything. It’s been a little eye-up and then, ‘Whatever’. “They haven’t really taken any notice. There have been a couple of little glitches but that’ll pass.” However, she said she was forced to change for games in the disabled toilet after parents complained. “It is split for girls and boys, but in PE and stuff I do have to be with the boys’ team,” she said. “But my friends stick up for me and say, ‘He feels like a girl so he can be on the girls’ team’.” I hope it’s clear that the acceptance she’s felt from her peers is much more important than the specific pronoun they use. Yes, language matters, but I know I greatly prefer the support I get from a friend who genuinely accepts me as myself, even if they’re not up on all the lingo, to someone who talks the talk but doesn’t ultimately treat my identity as valid. Further, this girl’s experience is a pretty great refutation of “won’t somebody think of the children!”-type moral panic. Actually, seems like the kids will be fine, provided adults don’t poison them with their own hateful ideas. h/t Dr. Jillian Weiss __________________

09-22-2011, 12:38 AM	#2
J. Mason Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Banned 11/9/2011 - Previously banned member back under new name Preferred Pronoun?: He and His Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas/Oklahoma Posts: 861 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 250 Thanked 741 Times in 361 Posts Rep Power: 0	What does everyone think about the repeal of don't ask, don't tell? Does this apply to the trans community?

09-22-2011, 07:45 AM	#3
Jess Timed Out - Permanent How Do You Identify?: decidedly indifferent Preferred Pronoun?: other Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Patrick Springs, VA Posts: 2,812 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 9,247 Thanked 5,700 Times in 1,682 Posts Rep Power: 0	Interesting question, J. Mason. I am not really sure how the military "deals" with or doesn't "deal" with trans persons. I guess I see it ( and this maybe my lack of knowledge) as a separate issue. DADT, I think, speaks exclusively to the homosexual population within the ranks. I would think that trans issues may be different in a couple of ways, in that a) not all trans persons are homosexual and b) housing/ job assignments/etc are based on physical expression of gender/sex in the military. There really isn't a way to enter the military and "pass" as a sex/gender other than birth assigned, as everyone goes through a pretty thorough physical exam. It is a very interesting question. I don't personally know any trans people serving ( past or present), but would be interested in hearing how they dealt with it ( serving actively) and how they were treated. Thanks.

09-24-2011, 10:49 AM	#6
J. Mason Timed Out How Do You Identify?: Banned 11/9/2011 - Previously banned member back under new name Preferred Pronoun?: He and His Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Texas/Oklahoma Posts: 861 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 250 Thanked 741 Times in 361 Posts Rep Power: 0	Ugh that just sucks that us trans folks were not included in the DADT.

09-25-2011, 09:21 AM	#10
Nadeest Member How Do You Identify?: as myself Preferred Pronoun?: She Relationship Status: Single Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Leesburg, FL Posts: 595 My Photo Gallery Thanks: 2,876 Thanked 2,118 Times in 501 Posts Rep Power: 17077997	Jess, I didn't even realize that I was trans until long after I got out of the military. Therefore, I was treated as a male and was fine with that. However, from what I understand (and I could certainly be completely wrong), the military would probably treat it as if it were a mental illness and immediately discharge the person if they disclose that they are transsexual. Most of the people that I know that are vets didn't disclose or do anything until after their enlistment had expired.