Cyrsti's Condo "Quote of the Day"

 

Semantics

 We received a comment from Connie on our Allies versus Accomplishes post:

"Although I understand the concept of being more than an ally, I just can't use the word "accomplice" to define it. The word has such a negative connotation, and literally means a person who helps another commit a crime. I am a transgender woman, and being one is absolutely no crime!

I think that there are those who are sympathetic transgender allies, and others who are empathetic transgender allies. One can be sympathetic to the cause, but it requires empathy to really support a transgender individual. In my own life, I have encountered people who range from intolerant, to tolerant, to accepting, to sympathetic, to empathetic. There are fewer at each end of that range, and although I have successfully moved some up a notch, I have found it to be more difficult to convince the intolerant to be tolerant, and the sympathetic to be empathetic.

My own wife was intolerant of my feminine-self for quite some time, but that was my fault for not talking about it. She even went so far as to leave the Bible on the counter for me to see and read Deuteronomy 22:5 (the verse is about cross dressing, calling it an abomination - although it is actually about dressing in the garments of the other gender for illicit purposes, and is not necessarily an abomination in itself). Interesting, here, that my wife's support for my cross dressing for illicit reasons would have made her an accomplice. Anyway, it took a few years for her to really become the empathetic ally she is today. Aside from other trans people I know, one of my daughters could be added to my list of empathetic allies (the other daughter is still struggling to get past acceptance to sympathetic).

I came out to an old friend a few years ago, and he seemed, at first, to be accepting of me as a trans woman. I remember so well that he used the words: "I don't care" when I first told him. Over the following months, with him only seeing me in feminine appearance, I had to make countless corrections of his dead naming. I finally went to a lot of effort to explain to him how that was hurtful to me. Afterward, it wasn't but a few minutes before he actually called me Connie - only to hem and haw and then "correct" himself by saying my dead name. When I told him he was right the first time, his answer was: "Whatever." I then told him that the truth of it was in his first declaration of "I don't care." Even if I were to generously say that he was accepting, he was certainly not sympathetic. I cut all ties with him after that, anyway, with the full knowledge that he was incapable of ever really caring at all.

We should all be so lucky as to have many empathetic allies. I think that having many sympathetic ones would be enough. As such, we would have people around us who would, most likely, advocate for us. In fact, an advocate is more than just an ally, and is a much better word than accomplice."

Kami Sid

From Wikipedia: " Kami Sid is the first Pakistani transgender person to rise to prominence as a fashion model. Sid is also an actor and LGBTQ rights activist. Sid also became a controversial figure after accusations of rape and sexual assault against her.:"

Baby Daddies and Blonds in Mustangs

 All you adventurous types who are on the outlook for a transgender girlfriend, it seems you don't need to look any farther than the 'Human Ken Doll' Jessica Alves. She is looking for a baby daddy across six countries. She seriously is searching for the man of her dreams to settle down with and start a family. She speaks six languages and the search will include the United States. So, if you happen to be a guy who is a transgender admirer, Jessica might be the girl for you!

  

Now for the "blondes in Mustangs" and a comment Connie sent in about a post which I was whining again about being stuck at home.

"What's that your mother used to say? Something about the toilet paper roll moving faster, the closer it gets to its end? Still, your Saturdays may seem to go by slower without Buckeye football.

I still do the grocery shopping, as that's the only thing I do to get out of the house anymore. Well, I do drive my wife to work and back two days a week, but that doesn't really count. I am not one of those who wears a mask while driving, so I can, at least, wear some lipstick! I also get to drive my wife's nice Mustang, which is usually unavailable for me to drive by myself. The other day, after dropping her off downtown, I stopped at a light. I heard a woman's voice shout out, "Hey gorgeous!" When I turned her direction to look through the downed window, she continued with, "You really wear that car well." I answered back in my usual smart-ass way, and asked, "It doesn't make my butt look big, does it?" Thinking about it, on the way home, I realized that it had been the only maskless encounter I'd had with anyone, other than my wife, for over three months. Nobody seems to even notice me when I'm driving my mini van to the grocery store - lipstick or not. :-)"

Needless to say, I am heart broken about the Buckeyes but it comes as no real surprise since so many ignorant people still want to refuse to wear a mask and stay socially distanced.

Evolve from an Ally to an Accomplice

 A transgender ally is a person who supports trans individuals and trans rights. Now a well known transgender activist wants to experience evolution from allies to accomplices. Her name is Geena Rocero (below) an award winning producer, model and trans rights activist. 

Let's take my partner Liz for example of a person who is a transgender accomplice. Initially (9 years ago) she played a major role of finally shoving me totally out of a part time cross dresser life into a full time transgender existence. An accomplice who has helped me in the world in so many ways. For example, an ally will support pro-trans causes and candidates but may fall short in helping us with rest room issues and/or pronoun usage. In more cases than I can count Liz leads strangers on with my gender by calling me "she or her" So, if you are currently an ally and are looking for an easy way to do more, find out for sure what pronouns your friend wants to use. It can go so far in helping her cope with an existence in her/his chosen gender. If you are dealing with a masculine identifying transgender person. 

Also if you are an accomplice, you have to be prepared for setbacks. Unfortunately, most of the time, all you can do is lend a supportive ear. In my case, I am always prepared to fight my own battles when and if they arise. Ironically, Liz and I do quite a bit of hand holding in public, so I can never really be sure if a persons problem could be coming from us being lesbians and not in anyway because I am transgender. 

In conclusion, if you are an ally or an accomplice bless your heart! You are some of the kindest and most understanding people in the world and we need you!