Is It Easier to gain Transgender Acceptance from Men or Women?

Without question for me, cis-women have been the easiest to gain acceptance from. Followed by cis-men and lesbian women. Ironically though, a cis woman lesbian has been my partner for five years now.

For some reason, I think cis women have less to lose knowing a transgender woman, unless one of us used to be her boy friend or spouse. At that point we are playing in their sandbox and open to their life's lessons. We can exchange makeup and fashion tips quite easily. Having been down the same path and I think many cis-women are pleasantly surprised. Plus, it has always been great fun for me!

Men on the other hand are so sexually insecure, it is difficult to find one or any who will truly accept a trans woman. Although I know it happens because as a group transgender women provide an unique, even exotic look into sexuality for some cis-men. Those are the "admirers" who wouldn't want to bring you home for Thanksgiving dinner.

I my past, I have been alternately blistered or more often ignored by cis women lesbians. One of my worst gender slurs ever came at the hands of a butch lesbian at a big party. It was one of the few times I have let anyone get to me.

So, there you go. My personal look at public acceptance of transgender women. Especially important these days as we try to separate ourselves from the LGBT umbrella, be public and tell our story.

I'm Just Sad

There is no other way to put it this beautiful morning in Ohio, I'm just sad.

I have a few alt right contacts on FB and one is a dear friend whom I respect her right to feel the way she does because I think it comes from a good place. A couple of the others, I feel their views come from a racist background..."Make America White Again."

I suppose my thoughts come from growing up in the 60's and 70's when the Vietnam War and Nixon were tearing the country apart. Somehow I thought my generation would do a better job going forward.

But, here we are again. And, I am not ashamed to admit it, I too vote for my special interest...LGBT causes. I just hate to see our hard earned gains swept away so fast in the first 100 or so days of the new administration.

For once, I am not going to rant on 45 (Trump) but go straight to his appointee's Steve Bannion and Attorney General racist Jeff Sessions. Sessions' record speaks for itself coming out of Alabama. He is just waiting for any LGBT issue coming his way to block us, I get the feeling.

The main problem is, being transgender, we are the most visible part of the gay,lesbian and bi community. As I heard once, it's easy to hide gay, not trans. Plus, I am really paranoid about violence this year at one or more of the LGBT Pride celebrations.

So where does our country go from here? I don't know but I am not sure what I am going to tell my grandkids.

Hopefully, I am just over reacting and shouldn't be so sad.

It's LGBT Pride Month!

With all the happenings around the world, it is easy to forget it is LGBT Pride month. Around Ohio at least, that means celebrations in cities of any size around Ohio.

It used to be Pride Parades seemingly were meant for gaudy drag queens melting in the sun. Now it seems the transgender "T" is becoming more visible. All of a sudden, trans people aren't afraid to come out of the closet and be seen.

Around Ohio at least, Columbus continues to lead the way with the most entertaining Pride week. For me, my new hometown of Cincinnati will be where I attend the Pride festivities. I plan on dressing comfortably because as of now the event is still several weeks away and hopefully the weather will be dry.

Ironically enough, I have the opportunity to connect with several interested parties at Pride.  Because of previous commitments, I will be helping our Ohio Witches Ball committee. We will be passing out brochures promoting the Halloween event.

I look at it this way, what is better than having a real transgender woman helping to promote their event :)