2 Year Anniversary

Lately I have heard from many people something along the lines of “Well, I am sorry, but I am having a hard time because I knew you as male for SO long.” What I would like to say is that, no, I am the sorry one for having deceived you for so long. 



Kelly is celebrating a special date for her in this post.  She also discusses the use or incorrect pronouns and misgendering.  Included are some great pictures of her, from age three on up.

41 days until surgery!

What if there’s a new wave of COVID-19 cases now that we are re-opening businesses prematurely? What if I get sick right before surgery? What if I get down there and find out that the hair removal wasn’t sufficient because I missed 2 months due to COVID shutdowns? What if the doctor says that my weight is too much of a problem since I’ve put on 20 pounds in the last year? 


No matter what the surgery is, we all have those "what-if" thoughts.  Let's hope that none of these "what-if's" materialize and it's smooth sailing all the way to her quest to be whole.

Please take the time and watch

Her title does not do justice to what is being said and how she is replying. I love to support positive stories and comments about my community. So many in my community are trying to change how the world views us. Please take the time and watch this video and if you can please put a like up for her.




Aleana links to a really well done video, from Maya, with her response to the recent J. K. Rowling comments about transwomen.

What is the difference between sex and gender?

I love the following photo of her, because it makes it so clear that she is using feminine gender expressions to express her real gender, XY chromosomes be damned.


It's another good essay blog, from Jack Molay.  Well written and thought out.  Oh, and if you want to see the photo, mentioned above, you need to read the post.

UK Survey Seeking Response From Those Who Are Trans

Hi everyone,

My name is Ed from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development, the professional body for those in HR and involved in the management and development of people. I run research at the CIPD and am also the chair of the CIPD LGBT network.

I wanted to share with you a survey we are conducting which explores the working lives of trans people in the UK, which we're running in partnership with Aston University. We hope to use the findings to inform the advice given to employers and the government regarding trans and wider LGBT issues. Ultimately we want to improve the support HR professionals provide to trans people at work.

The survey is anonymous and can be found here: https://astonbusinessschool.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_6MbXZwqQVFiw5aB

We are trying hard to reach our target of 150 responses but really need help and support.

If you can help, it would be greatly appreciated if you could complete the survey if you are trans, and if you could share with your networks and friends too.

Thank you very much for taking the time to read this. I'd love to hear any thoughts you have and also if you'd like to learn more about the research, just drop me an email: e.houghton@cipd.co.uk

Thanks so much.

[note that this survey only applies to UK residents]

2020

Back in 2016 I felt that I'd reached the point with this blog where I had nothing more to say and that it was time to move on. 

Every once in a while, a long time blogger comes back after years of silence.  In this case, like many, Jenna had completed her transition in 2016 and just did not have much left to write about. Then, a few things changed in her life, including a heart wrenching loss.  It's been about a year since her last post.  You can go to 2020, to catch up.

JK Rowling speaks out on sex and gender

Now, the trans woman is protected by Equality law from the moment she decides to transition. She, male-bodied but probably wanting not to be, is in women’s spaces, and has been for years. The effect of what Rowling demands would be to exclude the most vulnerable trans women, those of us on the cusp of transition, not mythical perverted men who find other ways to abuse women.

Many of our bloggers have been writing about JK Rowling's on-going comments regarding transwomen and those who consider themselves transgender.  I've been looking for a post to feature that sums thing up an this one, from Clare, seems a good fit. 

I also want to note a totally different kind of post on the subject, from Lynn Jones, who links to an excellent article by Daniel Radcliffe.

Thank you, Clare and Lynn, for including a link to T-Central on your blogs.

Reflections

Over the last few months many parts of Hannah’s life were put on pause. MN T-Girls activities stopped (they resume this week!), my modeling shoots were delayed, and simply being able to go out en femme was just a memory. Aside from the social aspect, there were some physical changes as well. I watched my hair grow and grow and grow. My eyebrows looked ghastly. It was harder to see “her” when I looked into a mirror.




Reflections is a nicely thought out post, from Hannah.  I think many of you will relate to her thoughts.

Candid camera

I have no recollection at all of it being taken. None whatever. Maybe he sneaks about in bushes and snaps unsuspecting women.



It's amazing what you can find on the internet!


Thanks, Sue, for including a link to T-Central on your blog! 

A Choice?

The problem we have is as we come out is a severe problem with being selfish in our drive to discover our true selves. Often, we are so frenetic in our approach, we have a tendency to forget those around us.


This is a brutally honest post, from Cyrsti.  It's short, very well written, and contains a valuable message for all of us.

Womanhood

I had an epiphany a few years back when I saw a European public service announcement. It was broadcast there on TV; I saw it on YouTube. The video depicted a trans-woman cowering in a bathroom stall as a group of confident, attractive cis-women chat at the sink. The trans-woman is afraid to leave the stall for fear she won't pass judgment from the cis-women. The video ends with a written message: "There's no wrong way to be a woman."


This post starts out with the above paragraph and just keeps getting better, all the way to the end.  Do read Womanhood.

Don’t be that

As a straight white bloke from a middle class background, I think I’ve got a fair old chuck of privilege. The schools were pretty good where I was born, my folks cared for me, and despite some minor bullying/outing, I passed through life pretty easily all things considered.



Great post, from Lynn, that everyone should be able to relate to in one way or another.   I'm betting this post will get a lot of comments.

Thanks, Lynn, for including a link to T-Central on your blog.

Well. Here we are.

It's been a bit of a struggle, but I have a feeling of coming out of it. Writing is coming more easily, the muse that had completely departed me at times is back.



Jenny, a post-transitioner, good on-line friend, and someone I almost got to meet a couple of years ago, is writing again.  It hasn't been the best of times for her and I'm sure she would love a "welcome-back" comment to this latest post.