Stand up, Be proud! Fight for your rights, take a stand.
It's way past time the CD community stood up and took responsibility for it's own acceptance. Not just piddly little university outreach here and there I'm talking major shit here.
I'm talking not hiding in the closets any more, whether personal ones, or larger ones.
I'm talking about not hiding from the SO's. It's frickin 2006 people and we've known for decades that hding is bad, but some of us still keep on doing it.
I'm talking about having enough pride to buy your makeup in the drugstores/chemist/M&S/Wal-Mart/Target/department stores like anyone else rather than paying a premium for overpriced stuff from some CD boutique. Same goes for clothing.
I'm talking about not making excuses while shopping or when someone asks why you shave your legs. No "it's for the wifey" no fake little shopping lists, no "I'm a bike rider"
I'm talking about being out in broad daylight rather than walking to the mailbox at midnight or just driving en femme without actually getting out of the car.
I'm talking about standing up against bigotry and standing up for yourself. If a group you're in is anti-TG, then for goddess sake quit and tell them why. If someone says a nasty slur, call them on it. If something gets printed in your local paper, write a rebuttal.
No ones going to hand you acceptance on a silver platter, you have to fight for it, work for it.
"But where I live (Texas/Arkansas/Rural Scotland) is full of rednecks and hooligans, Veronica"
Pooh on that, do something to change it. Stand together with likeminded people against them. Form alliances, speak out, embarass them, do whatever it takes to let them know that you will not tolerate bigotry. And no they won't beat you with a stick, that's hyperbole.
If there's not a group near you, form one. I'm trying to do that myself, it's hard, yes, but we have to do it.
And finally if someone asks you if you're a CD/TG, answer them simply and truthfully.
Veronica
Rondelle (Ron) Rogers Jr.
Yep, that's my name, it's pronounced Ron-duhl not Ron-dell.
The problem of getting together
I understand what you are saying Veronica and agree with you. There is just one problem here--people. I was a member of Renaissance but left after a few years as they were moving too slow for me. Most of them are content with having "tea parties", talking about wigs and makeup going to Southern Comfort and the whole "nine yards". A big thing where I'm from is the Pride Parade in Allentown PA coming up this month. Getting them to agree on something in principle is one thing, getting them to follow through is something entirely different. My home was open all Winter for any girls who wanted to visit, I got a total of 3 maybe. You have to realize that most people are dedicated to their familiy and when things come up, fail to that. I can't blame them really, frustration of not being able to be your femme self notwithstanding. I, like yourself , attempted to start a local group but the interest and committment just wasn't there. I really can't fault people for that as most are closeted anyway, I have to respect that in others, as I myself was basically closeted for 54 years. In my dotage(!), I finally got some gonads to just be myself but have learned rather sadly perhaps, I have to "fly" or "fall" on my own. What you say is attractive but really seemingly unattainable to most and a "dream" at best. I, personally, don't care what people think of me as I have to be myself. I do care about my family, however, and have to care about their feelings somewhat whether I like it or not. That doesn't mean I'm going back to the closet, no way! What is does mean is that I take things a day at a time. I've earned whatever freedom of expression I have as Ericka by myself. I paid for it with my sweat and tears and cherish it. From my perspective however, it seems to be an up hill battle and if you don't take the "bull by the horns" youself, no one is going to do it for you. I've learned the value of putting forth an effort but the committment needs to be put forth by each one individually, otherwise your triumph has no meaning and you are riding on the coattails of someone else's accomplishments. I'm really hoping things will turn around for the TG community and time will tell. Until that time, we have to make or break it on our own more or less. I love all my brothers and sisters on the forum here regardless. It makes things a little easier to "swallow" when you can talk to friends about things. Take care, Ericka
It's not about CD rights...
I think that people are not getting the bigger picture here.
This is not about rights for crossdressers - nor is it about rights for the Transgendered.
This is about the right for anyone to be who they are without the fear of persecution and ridicule. This is about the right to not be told who we are by those other than ourselves.
If you don't want to be out, then don't. But do not oppose those who are and want to be recognised for who we are, and not who others thing we should be.
Love & Stuff,
Donna