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All people deserve to have equal human rights alleviating much unnecessary
human
suffering
and death. The Transgender community applauds those who support us in our
quest for human rights and freedoms.
 It
is painfully clear, the security of having adequate health programs to
include surgeries directed toward attainment of health and wellness
without discrimination or prejudice must be the norm for all our
Americans. The Government disregarding human rights of all the GLBTI
community (which does include profoundly Gender Dysphoric people) in any
form lacks morally conscious responsible decision making; not voting in to
law by now that which protects us from hate crime, discrimination and
prejudice. Is the HRC and legislature dragging their feet on Trans
inclusion? Will our new president and legislative body continue to
disregard the transgender community?
SUPPORT
A TRANS INCLUSIVE ENDA
Insurance companies block insuring patients recommended to have the most
effective GRS treatment is monstrous ! Related to this topic, (I
believe I must support the following regarding intersex)
the mere belief one can tell the sex of a new born child with any form of
ambiguous genitalia and proceeding with surgery requires serious rethinking
before going forward. It is their human right to decide who they are and
their personal need. It has been proven time and again, no one can tell the
true gender of any new born child because gender is in the mind not the
genitals. Even DNA does not determine gender. The brain and hormones
does that presenting in many variations. Wait and they will tell you.....don't
take my word for it. Google it.
SOMETHING WHICH SPEAKS VOLUMES ABOUT THE PAIN OF DIVERSITY:
Theater and movie
production has shown us all about diversity and the ugly dark side of how
people respond to those in our society who are different. My personal
choice would have to be the superbly written, directed and acted 1995 movie
entitled, "Powder"; Directed by Victor Salva and starring, Sean
Patrick Flanery (as Powder), Mary Steenburgen, Lance Henriksen, Jeff
Goldblum, and Brandon Smith. I connected with
the "Powder" character from my own times gone by. Hell...I lived it in my own way. Perhaps the most poignant part of the script is when
Jeff Goldboom's character says, "That
to imagine some day our humanity might surpass our technology". I say
to you, yes indeed. Just imagine.
INSURANCE CO.'S IN BED WITH THE GOVERNMENT
Sounds like nasty business. Just speaking some from experience and
some hypothetically as always :
I fully understand there are those of a different mind-set. Unfortunately
the legislature is going to dole out the rules. And yes, most insurance
companies are going to cry foul when it comes to reconstructive GRS because
they say it is experimental, investigational, or elective surgery even
though professionals say and recommend otherwise. While there are
people with HBS who do not want surgery or for physical reasons can not,
those of us who do want the surgery should be supported by all insurances.
After all....surgery is the only complete treatment cure available. I walked
the fires of hell to complete my transition. My wish is for surgical
candidates to receive the assistance they deserve in this, the free world.
We are not just going to go away.
Fact is, the entire Gender variant society is not going away. GENDER
VARIANT: includes heterosexual males or females who present with the
opposite gender manner and or qualities/ lesbian/ gay/bisexual/ transgender
/intersexed and any variation within this continuum.
The Harry Benjamin Standards Of Care very matter-of-factly explains why
gender reassignment surgery should be an Insurance covered benefit by all
insurance agency's. HINT HERE..............."appropriate
treatment".......................
In persons diagnosed as transsexual or as having a profound Gender Identity
Disorder, sex reassignment surgery, along with hormone therapy and what is
termed the real-life experience (re-socialization period) for a prescribed
time period is treatment proven to be effective. Such a therapeutic regime,
when prescribed or recommended by qualified psychiatric and medical
professionals is not only indicated but necessary. Not because I say so. But
because it has been proven to be so. Sex reassignment is not "hypothetical,"
"investigative," "elective," or "cosmetic." That has been an excuse for over
50 years. Surgery is the only option with regard to effectual suitable
treatment for transsexual or profound Gender Identity Disorder. More
interestingly noted, insurance companies will pay for specific therapy and
medications preparatory for surgery; for therapy and medication prescribed
post-SRS. They drop the ball when it comes to paying the SRS
cost. I highly recommend you Google "insurance
covering SRS". You will find important information related to health
services and insurance; alternative methods for SRS payment. Also, there
have been a few people who have battled it out in the court system to get
their insurance to pay for their SRS and WON ! In some states insurance does
cover GRS but only after testing and intensive evaluation.
TS/TG SIMPLISTIC
DEMEANING/DISCRIMINATE CHARACTERIZATIONS AND ILL CONCEPTIONS :
Slang Terms used to belie or intended to harm another's credibility and
character: "deceiving," "fooling," "pretending," "posing," or
"masquerading". Gender identity is an integral part of a person's identity.
It is totally incorrect to characterize transgender people as "deceptive,"
as "fooling" other people, or as "pretending" to be, "posing",
"masquerading", fakes", "freaks" or "phony" as a female or a male. Such
illiterate descriptions are extremely demeaning, persecutory and a personal
affront as well. To make such proclamations about people you do not
understand is showing their ignorance and social stupidity. It could have
been you and who knows.
AGGRESSIVE INSULTING MISLEADING UGLY
TAGS / LABELS :
"she-male," "he-she," "it," "trannie,"
"tranny," (Tranny being the buzz word noted someTV shows this year)
which have been derived and seen boldly noted on pornographic web sites are
perhaps the ugliest of terminology misrepresenting Gender Dysphoria today.
None are applicable when discussing or addressing transsexuals or HBS).
Personally I do not believe the term transsexual is applicable either.
It is about gender and thus the term transsexual is misleading and often
disturbing to people who do not have all the facts. For this reason I do
hope HBS (Harry Benjamin Syndrome) will become the appropriate term. We
could consider then society will feel more comfortable in developing an
under- understanding rather than dismissing us as freaks and other assorted
labels. I find the term Sex Reassignment Surgery or SRS is
inappropriate as well. Perhaps GRS should be emblematic of Gender
Reassignment Surgery or even Genital Reassignment Surgery would be best when
addressing the surgical reconstructive process. In this way, things are less
about sex and more about the true problem, Gender Dysphoria / HBS. Note:
The use of
"she-male," "he-she," "it," "trannie,"
"tranny" are equal to the use of the "N" word. They do not
have a place on television. Stop infesting our home TV entertainment and
society with this type of demoralizing garble.
ABUSE WITHIN THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM
:
While some of us have suffered abuse at the hands of an assortment of health
care professionals as I have, more professionals over time have become open
with absence of prejudices. Change is difficult and slow. Treatment is in
fact getting better. It is people working outside the Gender Dysphoria
treatment realm who need to practice what they have been taught.... which is
to set aside their own beliefs and prejudice and treat the patient with the
same respect as given all others. My own experience with medical prejudice
and discrimination was described earlier. I do not believe being
transgendered or transsexual is a mental disorder, or mental illness; the
term, transsexual was removed from the DSM III (Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders and soon to be version V ) some time
in the 1990's. We also know historically the gender variant have been
treated "no" less than equal and that fact it is well documented. Here we
are today along with gay, lesbian, bisexual and intersexed communities
demanding our human rights.
OH, I DUNNO...JUST A THOUGHT :
This information has nothing to do with my views regarding the war in Iraq
in any way. It has everything to with freedom here in America. If all things
are equal, isn't it thought provoking to consider a country like the USA
(built on diversity) does not treat all its citizens as equals. How is it
possible to be in Iraq to teach this newly formed society how to be
free. After all, I live in the USA and I am not free or receive equal
treatment. The point here is: Until we accept "our own" the USA governing
disciplines will never have complete success promoting freedom through
diplomatic attempts in other countries. The priority here is to first ensure
freedom for ALL U.S. citizens as an "unquestionable right and promised part
of the American way".
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Music written and Produced by
Janis Ian.
Pictorial Interpretation created and produced by me, CLJDesigns.
Should this
video fail to
play on prompt, it simply means the video web-host
may be
experiencing technical problems. It is not the fault of Geocities or
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KIDS AREA :
As I mentioned before, parents are becoming pro-active regarding observing
symptoms of HBS and finding the professional help needed. WE now have
kids starting school attired as the gender they identify with. This is
occurring now at much younger age levels despite the ambivalence some times
shown them.
I was watching a
morning televised talk show where one of the hosts was speaking to a transgender topic and one
of the other hosts said, "No boy a
hers would be goin round the house in no
dress under any circumstance...oh no...
ano-noa.". Someday she might eat her
words. I hope not for her child's sake. This example of ignorance reminds
me of a song from the ever popular musical "South Pacific" by Rogers and
Hammerstein entitled:
"You've Got To Be Carefully
Taught"
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You've got to
be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.
You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught! |
Profound Gender
Dysphoria touches people of all cultures, race and religions......no matter who you are or where you are around the globe.
It manifests in different ways and a parent should do no harm by squelching a
child's true expression of self. While it is a good thing to discuss this
disorder, it is socially irresponsible to broadcast remarks that are
painfully ignorant and disrespectful to folks living with HBS.
It is time for folks to
understand we are not the threat we are cast to be. HBS kids are
fortunate when diagnosed early. Without and sometimes even with
intervention, both suicide attempts and completed suicides are among
individuals suffering with gender dysphoria. Studies show suicide is less
likely to occur in adulthood after they have fully transitioned. In the mean
time family support is critical for kids. To admonish, punish or ridicule a
youngsters genuine physical, verbal and emotional expression of self can be
devastating for them. Not a day goes by I do not think about my parents; how
they saw me as shameful and an embarrassment. While we learn to live with
this pain, it never goes away completely. Parents need to provide an outlet
for the behavior, a safe haven and seek help from pediatric professionals
knowledgeable in gender dysphoria. The same holds true for our teens. Like
it or not, kids are who they are. Suicide never need be the end result. Help
is here for our young people.
A child is waiting.
HATE CRIMES :
The National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs documents a 2 percent rise
across the country in violence against lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender
and HIV-positive people. Twenty-Nine states and the District of Columbia
have hate crime laws that protect people based on sexual orientation. Of
these, only seven and DC include protections based on gender identity or
expression. Statistics are always changing but hate crimes against gay,
lesbian, bisexual, intersexed and transgender people continue and once in
court, defendants if proven guilty, are not convicted of a hate crime.
Rather, judges are calling these violent acts anything but hate crimes even
when the facts are blatantly obvious as with both the Gwen Araujo and
Matthew Shepard hates crimes. Talk about the legal system sticking their
head in the sand. Please note, hate crimes are stifled by most media thus
public awareness isn't there and in its stead we have ignorance and
ignorance allows for hate crimes.
Police across the nation reported hate crimes to be:
7,722 criminal incidents in 2006 targeting victims were a result of bias
against a particular race, religion, sexual orientation/gender, ethnic or
national origin or physical or mental disability. This is up 7.8 percent
from incidents reported in 2005.
Though true 50 % of theses crimes are race related, the remaining are
not. FBI reports confirm what has been said for months about the severe
increase in hate crimes. (KEEP in mind not all hate crimes were reported or
filed
as hate crimes so the numbers are much greater than noted). The idea
of people hating and hurting/killing people over diversity let alone for any
reason is barbaric and without a doubt one of the United States greatest and
ugliest embarrassments and scourges.
This great nation professes freedom though continues to mess with the
peoples human rights. While there is legislation in the works, it is met
with much adversity and has become about anything but saving lives.
Discrimination, prejudice and a fine set of blinders prevail. But the truth
is, being a person living with gender dysphoria is not the total sum of who
we are. Remember this when next you interact with those who may demonstrate
some form of gender diversity or gender variance.
HORMONE REPLACEMENT THERAPY.....oooh
the things I've heard and seen :
I have not mentioned our female to male brothers and I guess it is
because, for one they keep a lower profile (which is to be admired) and
second, my story is about a male to female experience. However it should be
acknowledged, the guys (female to male) endure the same difficulties,
emotional pain, obstacles and losses. They are not to be seen as having an
easier path by any means. They too are held to following the Harry Benjamin
Standards of Care albeit their decisions differ in some respects but life
altering and just as permanent as the Male to Female counter-part.
I speak to hormone replacement therapy (HRT) because they have great impact
on the human body. In other wards, they are powerful and seen as a benefit
and or problematic in their own right. A lady friend of mine purchased
out of country bootleg hormones, had severe complications and will remain in
a wheelchair for her remaining days; the availability of GRS is gone.
However, healthier outcomes are derived by following the process of
therapist evaluation and recommendation for HRT; doctor patient discussion
of psychological / medical history for the prescribing of hormones. Because
everyone is different, the choice and amount of hormone should be monitored
by your physician via annual blood studies and more often to attain and
maintain the correct hormone levels for you. Besides the
obvious physical effects of hormones the emotional and self expression
follows and believe me what a relief it can be despite the society
prejudices and ignorance. It was an emotional ride for me as well. Others I
have spoken with expressed the same. This is where your support system is so
vital.
As a health care professional I do know this, never allow yourself to
be encouraged or tempted to take un-prescribed hormones be they oral / patch
/ injectable; self-medicate or adjust your prescribed medication
dosage unless via doctors order. The consequences can be and have been
historically shown to be devastating. If you think it isn't happening or
people do not endanger their very lives by doing these things, you are only
deluding yourself.
One more thing. During transition I was on prescribed antidepressant
medication since college and then my doctor prescribed progestin's (contra-indicated for those prone to depression). I did not know while some gals
take progesterone cyclic with estrogen, progestin's are not necessary or
at all required. My depression worsened and I made a very serious
attempt on my life. At the end of the day, I was informed while recovering,
my doctor at the time had prescribed the wrong antidepressant at "twice" the
maximum recommended dosage and I should not have been put on progestin's.
Got me a couple new doctors I did. One being a great psychotherapist and the
other a GYN / Endocrinologist. There was an angel on my shoulder that day.
Long-Term Treatment of Transsexuals with Cross-Sex Hormones/check it out
WHAT I DO NOT LIKE WITHIN THE GENDER-VARIANT COMMUNITY :
The GLBT and I community AKA Gender Variant community possesses many
similarities and goals toward human rights laws. To split our very special
population of people in to this or that group is defeating and that lack of
solidarity will be our undoing. We need to work as one always because
without this cohesive commitment we will go forth
Remembering Our
Dead (Web site of the same name created by
Gwendolyn Ann Smith)
brothers and sisters year after year after year. The quote by George
Santayana on Gwendolyn's website states, "Those who can not remember the
past are doomed to repeat it". With this noted, don't you think it is time
to heed the message and stop splitting our community. We will be better
served by taking that energy to attain the human rights we, the GLBT and I
community deserves. The ugly behavioral acts and demonstrations I've seen on
websites, in chat rooms and in public arenas by our people does nothing more
then fuel the defeat of our goals. Please think about it.
UNITY will be our saving grace.
THAT WHICH HAS POSITIVELY INFLUENCED MY LIFE MOST :
PEOPLE :
Suzanne W., Curry P., Wesley D., Ron S., Pauline D., Victor A. B., MD.,
Pamela S., Bruce D., Gretchen F., Phyllis C., Everett P., Richard L., Pat
M., Constance W., Sam Y., Dianne W., Naomi B., Patsy B., Louise S., Michael
V., Maxine B., Gloria L., Phyllis C., Dr. Larry D. MD., Myone S., Tom
M.,
Cherry W.,
Teresa G., Pam G., Wayne W., Everett P., Patricia D., Don
S., Nancy P.,
Wanda A., Lilly B.; and others whose names
fail me after so many years. A life lesson early on was to always stay open
to people and due to this attitude, my life's social experience was vast. I
did not judge nor did they. I met people from literally all walks of life.
Their life direction was not always my path but the sharing was worth more
than I can express. I have befriended people from celebrity status to not so
good status because I always think if I turn away from someone I might just
miss their goodness. Thank you one and all for gracing me with your
friendship. I hope I was able in some way to add goodness to your lives.
To those who painfully turned away or chose not to return and contribute
anything more to the relationship we developed, I am sure by now you
wish for
no further contact. I have tried to keep in touch but now weary of rejection
once again. I just have to move on with life and mourn the loss of so many
friendships. However, in the wake of such disappointment (boy is that
logical but I know so many of us keep trying and hoping for better outcomes)
I wish you good life with a genuine hope it is and has been fulfilling and
happy.
Often, the desire of
post-op transsexuals is to blend in to society; to avoid being maliciously
outed by such ignorant remarks as "She/He used to be a boy/girl' When a life
long homosexual friend cruelly said to me in front of my significant other,
"Body mutilation....that's like what you did", he knew better and was ugly.
I had to kick him to the curb, continue to transition and make my life anew.
I did
just that.
MUSIC :
A healer of souls and hearts, life would have been less sensible,
less meaningful, and less inspiring for me without music. The sound of notes
played and or sang kept me company since I can remember. Not yet a teenager,
I became musically captivated when I used to lay in bed at night and listen
to Nancy Wilson from her "Tender Loving Care" album. Over the years my
eclectic taste in music
has served me well. Country singer, Vince Gill recently said, " music truly
is the only place where democracy lives. Every note is equal".
I WAS TRULY BLESSED ONE DAY:
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