Comments on: Trans and Proud

By: commonteri

commonteri — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 19:15:20 +0000

Considering how stealth we are as a group you wouldn’t normally equate pride with being trans. Most of us hope that no one will recognize we are trans. We want to be seen as women. However I couldn’t exist without feeling a bit proud that I am unique and knowing that it’s the rare things in life that are often the most valuable. I wouldn’t say I’m proud of being trans because I see it as a medical condition, but I’m not ashamed of it either.

It’s hard to be proud of a condition that puts us at odds with our bodies, but I think we can be proud of our ability to deal with it. It’s often a real struggle to feel good about ourselves when society thinks we are all freaks. So I am proud of my trans sisters who live a life open and without shame. Thank you for just existing.

Sometimes often we don’t feel worthy of respect. I have my share of bad days where I wish to God I was like every normal gendered person, but I’m not and never will be. So I deal with it the best way I can by knowing I am more than worthy of respect and should even be desired for my uniqueness.

I call myself CommonTeri but like the MC at the local Pride said, “she’s is anything but common”. That’s something we can take pride in. We are not freaks we are rare gems.

By: Abby

Abby — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:47:24 +0000

Lori,

I thought you might find some meaning in this. I’m truly grateful that you did.

We all deserve a reason to live and a source of hope to help us through the tough times. To find both in a secure sense of who I am has truly been a blessing. It has made it possible for me to stop fighting — friends, family, life, myself or whatever — and start simply living, secure in the knowledge of who I am.

All my blessings to you and yours,
Abby

By: loriannetucson

loriannetucson — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:30:54 +0000

What an incredibly relevant post this is to me personally. I feel like I’m rising out of the ashes from a fire that lasted days, but the one thing that makes me rise is a belief in myself to truly stand proud of who I am. I think I sincerely know the meaning of that now.

By: Abby

Abby — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 03:55:51 +0000

Diana,

Thanks for the report. If anyone wants an insider’s view of the Northampton Trans Pride March, check out Diana’s blog: http://dianacorner.blogspot.com/ .

Abby

By: Diana

Diana — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 01:53:55 +0000

The heat was almost unbearable but the march took place before the heat of the day. The march was amazing, I was near the end of the line and as we marched up Main St. all you could see was trans-people and our allies for over three blocks long.
Very emotional and very empowering.

By: Renee

Renee — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 23:28:42 +0000

Nicely said, Abby.

There’s a lot here that touches me. As someone who never really stood a chance of “passing”, I had to figure out my source of pride before I could ever make the decision to transition. And like your friend says in her would-be speech, it came down to deciding that I was going to live my own life, and not let others do it for me.

Hard to do? Hell yes. Worth it? I believe so.