In class this week, we got the opportunity to talk with a transgendered man who was open with us about his experiences and welcomed any questions we had. For those of you who do not know what transgender means, it is a term used to describe people whose gender identity differs from their assigned sex at birth ("GLAAD's transgender resources," ).
Visit this blog to find out more about transgender from someone who lives it!
Before class, I was nervous about this Skype encounter I was about to have. Now that I think back, my fears were very immature. I wasn't sure what he was going to look like, what if I laughed when I saw him? I was also scared this conversation would make me completely uncomfortable. I had questions I thought about asking him, but honestly I had no intention of really speaking up in class. Right before class began, I decided I was going to listen to everything he had to say, keep an open mind and then maybe I will ask my question.
The time came, he called us on Skype..I was about to see him for the first time..."Don't laugh Valerie! Whatever he looks like, don't laugh!" His video feed popped up on the smart board and to my surprise he looked normal. I can't believe I'm about to tell you this, but I kept squinting to see if I could picture him as a woman..but I couldn't. Once I got over his physical appearance, I was able to hear his life story. I kept thinking of all the questions I would love to ask him, but then he said something that caught my attention and has really stuck with me ever since.
He was telling us how his dad, a religious man, and his Nana, the church secretary dealt with the news of their daughter/granddaughter's decision to make the transition into becoming a man. His dad struggled with what his religion taught and the way he felt about his child. He finally came to the conclusion that he loves his children for what makes them who they are and not what they chose to look like. His Nana, on the other hand, never skipped a beat. He said she has always been his biggest supporter. She told him that she loves his soul and that's what the Lord loves too. He said she always made sure to tell people the change she saw in his attitude. How he used to be a grumpy little kid and now he is such a happy person. How could someone not support a decision that made someone so happy.
I was delighted to see two religious people supporting him and showing him so much love. Throughout this class, as we discuss the different types of gender, sex, and sexual orientation, I have realized that Christians are often the people who make outcasts of those who are different. Being a Christian myself, it breaks my heart. I wish people would just love others, no matter what they look like, even if they are not "normal", or even if you do not approve of their actions. Just love everyone! It took a story like this to show me that there are some Christians who feel the same way. His Nana told him, "I love your soul!" We should love everyone's soul.
References:
Glaad's transgender resources. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.glaad.org/transgender?
Taylor, C. (2011, February 13). [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://transchristian.blogspot.com/2012/02/different-possible-reasons-for-being.html
