Sterngard Friegen wrote:
I don't think sexual reassignment creates a "rat." I find that a very unkind comment.
Sex, much like race, is more in the eyes of the beholder than in the structures of the human body.
Many of you would be surprised at how mother nature has slightly tweaked the structures and how very similar structures can express themselves so differently. Indeed, hormones play a much more important role in human sexuality than structures, which can be changed.I also think there is a lot of male pride-dominance here that I find surprising in what I like to think of as an enlightened community.
Despite the fact that I am 670 years old I think I am a lot younger than many of you whippersnappers who seem to be threatened by this lovely woman and pleased as punch that she has been disqualified.
IM
GO.
^^^^^
Gender and sexuality are complicated; gender and sexuality are not the same. Theories on what develops sexual identity and gender identity are astonishing; as Sternie said, mother nature is tweaking us still. There are some initial theories that discuss how homosexuality is an adaptive human trait; mother nature knows what she is doing as human evolution progresses. Adaptations that are "weaknesses" or that threaten the group disappear over the progression of human evolution. Transgenderism must have an evolutionary role; the history of transgenderism is long and culturally universal. (If anyone wants to discuss this in greater detail, start a thread and I have more info to share!)
I think this situation with Jenna points to just how boxed in our opinions are about sex and gender. I understand that for many, transgenderism is a very, very difficult thing to wrap their head around. For some, transgenderism is innately disgusting. I don't necessarily believe that having such initial reactions indicate lack of personal evolution. But what we do after we experience our initial physiological response to something that is "too" different from us does, IMO, define us on some level.
To those who think that they can always spot a transgender individual; you may be surprised at how well some transgenders can integrate into their transitioned body. Much of that depends on money. Transitioning is extremely expensive, and many transgendered individuals can't afford the "complete transformation". Janna obviously had the money to transition well. Obviously, she went undetected for a very long time in a community that focuses specifically on the defining aspects of feminine beauty. Would you have known if you weren't told by the media that Jenna is transgender?
Black men and women weren't allowed to use white bathrooms, white eating utensils, white businesses, etc, because they were viewed as disgusting animals who lacked personal hygiene. Then, the AIDS epidemic became the perfect excuse to bar homosexuals from public life, using the same rational as was previously used to bar blacks from public life. Transgenders are the new mass-discriminated group. (I am not saying that prejudice and violence against blacks and LBG is not a serious issue that still effects the daily lives of those in those social groups!)
The stats for violence against transgender individuals is staggering.
San Fran stats National statsQuote:
Transgender people, people of color, and transgender people of color, were more likely to experience assault, discrimination, and intimidation. The person-level data showed the stark reality for transgender people and people of color in the United States. People who identified as transgender or people of color were 2 times more likely to experience hate violence involving assault or discrimination as non-transgender white individuals. They were also 1.5 times more likely to experience intimidation than non-transgender white individuals. People who were both transgender and people of color were almost 2.5 times more likely to experience discrimination, and nearly 2 times as likely to experience intimidation as non-transgender white individuals. These figures indicate that people of color and transgender people face disproportionate rates of certain forms of hate violence as compared to LGBTQH individuals who are non-transgender and white.
This data also shows that being both transgender and a person of color increases the risk of violence and of murder. The following findings reveal further information about the increased risk of violence for transgender people, communities of color, and other impacted identities.
Transgender people of color survivors were the most likely to describe police attitudes as indifferent. 48.3% of transgender people of color reported that police attitudes were indifferent, compared to 32.1% of survivors who identified as either transgender or a person of color. Yet, only 7.7% of non-transgender white individuals reported indifferent police attitudes. These statistics highlight the negative impact of racism and transphobia on transgender people of color. These figures may also reflect racism and transphobia among police officers. These attitudes likely deter transgender people of color from reporting incidents to the police.
Transgender people of color are 3 times more likely to experience hate violence from police.NCAVP’s findings suggest that people who belong to both of these groups are 3 times more at risk for anti-LGBTQH violence from police officers.
In 2010, 8% of hate violence offenders were police officers. These incidents included harassment, profiling, unjustified arrest, physical attack, entrapment, sexual violence, and discrimination. This data is too new to indicate absolute trends and NCAVP will engage in further research on hate-motivate police violence in future reports. NCAVP has improved the way it collects data on anti-LGBTQH police violence and this will be further explored in the 2011 report.
snip..... (more excellent info about violence and transgenderism)
These findings indicate that transgender people face severe forms of violence but are the least likely to receive medical care or police support, further reducing their safety.
Transphobic discrimination is widespread and reflected in law, policy, the media, and popular culture. Transgender and gender conforming people make up 18% of hate violence survivors and victims reported in 2010, but only comprise an estimated 8% of the overall lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer population,
indicating that transgender people are disproportionately impacted by anti-LGBTQH hate violence. Transgendered individuals deserve our compassion and protection. One has to be pretty damn brave to begin transitioning, or to even share with someone that their sex and gender don't match.
Again, if anyone is interested in a more detailed discussion on transgenderism and gender non-conformity, feel free to start a thread and I shall join you there! We can also discuss intersex individuals; those who, in utero, didn't sexually differentiate in the typical manner. I'm happy to discuss some if the interactions I have had with transgendered students.
Login
Register
FAQ
If I win, I'll contribute to FB's operating expenses. 
Don't hold your breath.
