Flying Under the Radar.

We are a transgendered community noted for going "stealth".
The goal for so many of transgendered individuals is to attain a level of comfort in their chosen gender and simply disappear into society. The man or woman next door may be a transsexual and you would never know it...Wonderful, a terrific transgendered success story.
The whole "stealth" situation is a complete win for the transgendered person and I respect it. Why shouldn't they be allowed to live a complete "normal" life?
I used to believe there were too many "stealth" individuals in the transgendered community. Too few role models to help the younger individuals.
Fortunately the situation is beginning to change.  Transgendered individuals are stepping out of the shadows to explain who we really are as a culture.
In the preceding post I wrote about a new documentary on the "Style Channel" as one example. 

The public has seen the "Alexis Arquette's" (above)  of the world. Unfortunately, Alexis doesn't represent me or probably you well. Her media "wow" factor probably hasn't inspired many gender confused teens to run for school council.
On the other hand the transgendered woman in Spain who was just elected to a regional parliament does.
Compounding all these problems is the "L" (looks) factor. The trials and tribulations we all go through to present convincingly as our chosen gender. The fact of the matter is we all want to be viewed as "attractive". It's just human nature.
More importantly though, we need to be viewed as how we feel. Sure it takes courage and perseverance for a transgendered person to take the first awkward steps as a woman or a man.
The true heroine/hero in all of this is the person who steps out of "stealth" and says I started where you are. The finished product you see was not easy to achieve but you can get there.
I get the question frequently "do you think I can pass?"
Everyone can on a certain level if they are not passing.  When they become the person they are striving to be, they move away from the "Show Biz Arquette's" and into the real world. You stop passing  and start being.
Maybe some day in the future when that happens they will step out of stealth and pass forward their knowledge to someone who desperately needs it!

Programming Note

If you are like me, you have a television that offers a million programs. Most with nothing on.
I do enjoy the various "makeover" shows.  The shows often provide a tip or two on how to improve my overall appearance.
On occasion I'm stunned by the improvement some of the women attain. Then again, I'm equally stunned when the woman looks like she just walked off a drag show stage.
One show was notable when the "makeover" was so improved you could see her friends develop a huge dose of feminine jealousy. She knew she was hot. They knew she was hot and they weren't sure she was going to be a friend much longer. You could see the claws starting to come out. The show was a classic!
Coming up in July, The "Style Network" is featuring a documentary of interest to transgendered people everywhere. "Born Male, Living Female" will air on July 16th. Follow this link to the "Futon Critic" for more information.
Of particular interest is the stated objective of the series.  "Katie Buchanan" a senior VP at the network said:

 "Each installment will speak directly to Style's core audience of young women, presenting them with engaging, informative and sometimes controversial subject matters that we hope will challenge them to understand a different point of view."

Hopefully this documentary will encourage young women everywhere to have a better understanding of their transgendered sisters. 
I'm not naive enough to think transgendered programming is good for ratings. I am however encouraged when the program presents us in an educational realistic light!

Becoming a Non Issue?

I had a quick follow up idea of the gay population becoming a "non issue" in nearby Columbus.
Maybe I have become a non issue in the places I frequent so much. I'm just part of the woodwork like the rest of the regulars.
Just a throw back to the old "Cheers" TV Show.
Perhaps "Norm" ( a regular Cheers patron) will buy me a beer like the other regulars?
Certainly, becoming a non issue wasn't exactly the plan but living as a girl was..and this works! Pull up a stool and lets watch the game!