History has shown us that there was always one group of people who have been ostracized or should I say victimize because of the color of their skin, religious beliefs, sexual identity and culture rituals that are different from the others.
When women had enough the Suffragettes were created to fight for women’s right to vote. When the blacks were tired of being treated like second class citizens the civil rights movement started. When gay people refused to continue to stay hidden in their closets the Stonewall riots happened and the fight for gay civil rights began. History has shown us that there will always be the battle for a person to be treated fairly and just. Even though we have come a long way there is still a lot of work to be done.
You wouldn’t think a gay man would have such a hard time accepting another group dealing with their sexual identity, would you? Well, I did.
I like to share with you my journey with a particular group I have had my own personal prejudice about. That group is transgender people. I felt like the character Cecelia I create in my monologue “Subtle Undertones.” Her beliefs and mine at that time was if you were born a man you stay a man; If were a woman you stay a woman. God doesn’t make mistakes. Boy, I had a lot to learn. I still believe God doesn’t make mistakes. He does things in his own unique way.
After meeting two special transgender women I have done a one eighty in my review of my transgender brothers and sisters.
Sandra was a tall elegant graceful woman I met while working in an office. We seem to connect and she shared her life’s journey with me. Sandra was very comfortable with me asking her any question I wanted too. You can imagine all the questions I had asked her. Sandra also informed me if I asked her anything she didn’t want to answer, she simply would tell me it’s none of my business. I was okay with it. Come to think of it I don’t think there was any question she didn’t answer. I was very blessed to have met her. She had brought a face and life to being a transgender person. She helped to open my eyes and my heart which created an understanding and compassion to the transgender plight.
When I first met Ron I was planning a fundraiser for local AIDS/HIV organization some years back. We were looking for entertainment for it. She came to meet with us and rest is history. Ron is a female impersonator and she doesn’t identified as gay. And here I learned another misconception not all transgender people consider themselves gay. Ron and I have had plenty of honest conversations about life. Ron shared that identity is not defined from what is between your legs. It’s between the ears. It is how you feel inside and who are attracted to. Your outside doesn’t necessarily define your gender. We had developed a friendship and a great respect for each other. We don’t think of each other as a transgendered woman or a gay man. We are just two people who have connected through the entertainment business and became friends.
It is kind of ironic when I think about it; I identified as a gay man with a female psyche. I’m happy with that identification. It’s my own special uniqueness and makes me, Larry, and that’s who I am.
What I have learnt and hope to help you to understand is when you come across someone or a group that is different from you; you should stop; think twice before you act and take the time to ask questions. Maybe doing some research before you do something you may regret.
Questions help to break stereo types, judgments, and especially misconceptions. Imagine what this world would be like if all of us accepted everyone as they are. Again I want to thank both Sandra and Ron for their openness and letting me into their lives. They helped me to understand what life is like being a transgender person.
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