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Politics and us – have we a voice ?
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Quote:Finding a voice seems to be a real problem here, as far as I can tell so far only about 2% of the membership here has expressed any views on this subject. ……… Unless we get any adverse reactions to what we are doing we will just have to assume that we are doing the right thing.Just being a devil’s advocate….not because I want to damp the the enthusiasm being displayed, but because I want people to go forward on a solid footing.
Is there not a distinct possibility that the lack of input from 98% of the members could be construed as an adverse reaction?
If 2% of the members were to complain about what “the voice” was doing – would that be a minority complaint because 98% said nothing – or would it indicate that “the voice” was not doing the right thing?
What do we really expect people to post – something like
“go right ahead – say anything you like on my behalf – I don’t care what it is you tell the world about me – I’m just grateful someone is prepared to speak for me.”Many people I suspect will be asking themselves “what is all this going to achieve for me?”
Perhaps those who see “the voice” as an important first step, could post a compelling argument for the 98% as to why they should support those who want to communicate.
This is more positive than berating the 98% for not posting.
And I think such an exercise might indirectly help clarify the focus of any communication -
Statisticians & politicians know that ‘numbers’ can be construed to backup whatever theory one wishes.
I too have been & am (now less vocally) frustrated by the lack of traction. This has caused me to stop & consider a few points too.
1. we are 700 members of a forum with the ONLY commom link being the (forget the semantics) attraction to clothing of the binary opposite gender.
2. not all members actively use the forums.
3. not all members would necessarily wish for change.
4. not all members would have even considered things like how will they deal with their gender display or cross dressing should they end up in a nursing home etc.
5. not all members will feel confident in replying to the ‘heavy stuff’.
6. not all members would necessarily believe things will or can be changed.
7. not all members will have read the survey results & a percentage may not be able to interpret them nor understand the implications.
The list goes on…In other words the group that some of us are trying to speak on behalf of are not really a group with the same needs.
I tend to think that Pamela’s views will be seen as correct as time goes on. She wrote;
Quote:I think the 2% that are interested might have to be the ones to do the communicating, and just report here as to what we are doing. Unless we get any adverse reactions to what we are doing we will just have to assume that we are doing the right thing.I don’t mean this in a defeatist way but rather a recognition of how groups work generally.
With Pamela’s thoughts in mind, maybe the 2% could make the first steps by drafting some ideas of what we think the message should be. After all, it’s a bit difficult to communicate our message to society when we haven’t yet written the speech (so to speak). Watch this space?
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Unfortunately people never realize what is important for their well being until they need it. By that point it is often to late to do anything about it. If people don’t consider their possible future they won’t consider that which doesn’t involve them. While I believe there is importance in the community and that that we have a voice I realize the majority are spending more time hiding, from their family friends and work mates but also hiding from their own issues of gender identity.
That said a voice if we were to develop must some how involve as many people as possible, so how people need to stimulate themselves into action. I don’t think it is fair to assume anything from a lack of input other than it is a lack of self interest in the long term. All I can say is the importance of community is not yet apparent to most and what should be realized is that a community serves everyone not just those that front up, but it only serves us well if we participate.
Oh and I am not sure but are the update feeds working properly I only see them occasionally not ever day if others are the same then I guess they won’t necessarily know what we are talking about.
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Speaking in the third person can create a sense of ‘us’ness but speaking in the first person makes it clear what you actually think. Instead of talking about talking, maybe it’s time to actually say something. These comments are aimed at those of us already corresponding. Time to lead by example.
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Without a community there is nothing to lead . There is no community without communications or a voice . Without participation from the wider community of gender diverse people there is no way to confidently represent the needs of the community at large. So to say we who do converse should act is to suggest we are the voice of the community.
I am of the opinion that we should only act as representatives of our community if that honor is bestowed on us. Were I to make any representations to any person or any body I could only do so as an individual with an individual understanding of the issues we face.
That remains an individual voice not a community voice ,that is the sort of voice that becomes lost in the background noise, that was in effect my point from the start.
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Quote:I am of the opinion that we should only act as representatives of our community if that honor is bestowed on us. Were I to make any representations to any person or any body I could only do so as an individual with an individual understanding of the issues we face.
Although I made the point to which you are replying I do in fact totally agree with you.
Quote:That remains an individual voice not a community voice ,that is the sort of voice that becomes lost in the background noise, that was in effect my point from the start.Again, I do actually agree in regard to a political voice.
Having participated in this & the various other associated, concurrent threads, I would have to say that I have ended up where I started & personally have no reason for political representation on my behalf.
Life is not always fair & there are plenty of other people out there that suffer injustices also. My experience has been that people (other than those detained in some manner or those who are totally powerless) improve their position by actually doing something for themselves first. So as you say, without a community voice there is no action to be taken on behalf of a community. -
Sorry Chloe I’m not inferring a politically motivated strategy merely a unification of the multiple voices to one that can coherently communicate for the greater good of our community. If that appears politically inclined it is not meant to be. I can of course see that the structure to achieve such a voice takes on a politics of its own. One thing we must avoid is divisive rhetoric that leads to infighting and no furthering of our positive message. No suggestions that we have ventured there to this point but give time conversation can tend to slid that way .
I hope I’m not sounding like some pompous self righteous twat.
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It’s beginning to sound like there is no community, so subsequently there is no need for a community voice. Is that what I am reading here??
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As explained in an earlier post in this thread, I contacted ABC2 regarding the programming of Tg themed documentaries & drama.
Below is the reply I have just received.
Hi Chloe
Thank you so much for writing.
So often we only get feedback when we offend someone or get something wrong – which of course we sometimes do so it is great to hear from you.
ABC2 takes its public service remit seriously and thus endeavours in all of our programs to be intelligent, exploratory and somehow an enriching experience for the viewers. (perhaps some of our comedies pass this test with a little more difficulty!) What this means for factual programming is that we look to take our audience on entertaining, educative journeys that, when possible, in some small way break down prejudice and ignorance. This is the informing principal whether the subject matter is concerning people in particular ethnic or religious groups, sexual orientation or indeed transgender.
I would love to claim some grand strategy about why these programs now but the truth is that it is really opportunism – as a small underfunded public broadcaster we acquire much of our content from overseas and thus cherry pick what others have commissioned that aligns with what we are trying to do. As luck would have it both BBC3 and Channel 4 from the UK commission a range of programs that sit very comfortably within our remit – this last year this has included the programs you refer to.
I don’t know of any greater societal acceptance of transgender persons but I can tell you that the programs have all been received well and to my knowledge we have not received any negative feedback –perhaps there would have been in the past so maybe this is a positive sign.
I hope this helps and I am glad that you have appreciated the programs.
I wish you all the best.
Regards
Stuart Menzies
Controller, ABC2P: 02 8333 3051
F: 02 8333 4585
mailto:menzies.stuart@abc.net.auI of course will reply with the appropriate thanks on behalf of the TG community.
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Oh community, community where art thou community ? Is my hope to become hopeless?
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Or voice when it develops will be a foundation on which future members can rely to save them from the experience most of us have had to endure. We need to hear each other and we need to bond as a community.
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We are able it seems to with some clarity convey our thoughts to each other on these forum. We seem to be quite comfortable in expressing a feeling of community. So now how does this condense from the multitude of peripheral forum discussions into a United voice of our community.
We have the ability what we need is the organization of our voices into a mechanism that can converse with the greater society in which we live. Will we organise or will we persist with our internal conversation. We are all more able I think than we are sometimes willing to admit so let’s organise and be heard and understood. It works for all other groups , think politics, religion , union, federations, co-ops etcetera and it will work for us.
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This morning I sat at my computer and wrote to my Federal MP, the text of the letter is included below. Before you read it I must apologise for using the word genetic when describing our condition, but I felt it necessary to separate us from any psychological misunderstanding. I did not want him to think that being Transgendered was just something in my head. If I receive a reply I will post it here.
Quote:Hello MichaelI am a Transgendered person living in Wagga Wagga and I am a member of a national group called TGR. We are currently seeking to change some laws regarding Transgendered people.
Unlike the Gay fraternity our problems are not created by our sexual preferences but rather the nature of our genetics at birth. We had no choice in being the way we are we were just born this way. Unfortunately our genetic difference causes many of us to hide from society, behind a veil of lies and deceit. This has many implications within marriages and family, and can lead to depression and unfortunately suicide.
Outwardly we are normal average citizens going about our daily business the same as everyone else, in fact we are normal people with a slightly different outlook on our lives. Some Transgendered people go on to become Transsexuals and have gender altering surgery, however many of us are content to remain as we are.
One of the main stumbling blocks in our existence is that if we are to live our life as a Transgendered person, we first have to be a Recognised Transgendered Person. This is where the problem arises within the law, as to be a RTP we have to get a divorce from someone who we have been happily married to for whatever amount of years. Unless we do this we can’t be recognised and thus have no rights as a Transgendered person.
The point is we are happy living between two worlds, we would just like to be free of harassment and vilification and some of the inhibiting laws of this country. We want the public educated about our existence so that they don’t have to think that we are some weird sexual deviant, or psychological patient.
There is no psychological or medical cure for us, the only cure we want is acceptance within the law and society as a whole. If you would like to contact me and talk further about this subject please email me.
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A pertinent email will be interested to see what returns. Now for what I am about to say I will likely see my throat ripped out. Commitment is a thing lacking in our community, it is born from a life of deceit and from a general inability to act on what we know. It is driven into us from an early age and societies unrelenting nature means that we dare not be different for fear of being ostracized. So for us that have a difference of note to others we internalize. Who we are becomes secondary to who the world knows, we fail in our commitment to ourselves. I do not suggest for a second that I have a panacea for the problems that we all face because I can’t even start to know what they all are, but we need as individuals to change. To move from insular thoughts that protect us in the real world and open our minds to the reality we have been forced into.
We are here in tgr in an environment of like minded people, who together form a community of sorts and it is a safe place to open up. When we move from the default position, where a lot of us live, what we share can be of importance to us and that community of people we have here.
All of us have value to add to our community , weather we are hidden or open in the real world, I think members have for what ever reasons, come here because they realized they are outside of what most see as normal. That is an acceptance of their difference and a start to a solution for their problems. Self expression how ever remote is a real thing that can make us feel worthwhile and it can liberate us. We should embrace our community and encourage and welcome the views of all .
I am thinking our voice will come but not until the community matures, not until it is taken seriously by the majority and not until the community gets some input from more than a small quarter. It is not to say that discussion is not important for it really is but alone it will fail. Commitment from the community is essential for the organising of a coherent voice . Alone we speak only to ourselves and for ourselves.
I feel like I am ranting so now I shall desist thanks for putting up with my voice.
This may sound despondent but I shall not be giving up on our community or our voice. -
Congratulations Pamela on a good effort in creating discussion at a Federal level.
In order for this reply to hopefully remain here, I will address two points within this thread.
My first point is in regard to the nominal 2% of membership that appear to have an interest in this topic. This 2%, represents quite a normal figure of interest from such a niche portion of society with very diverse interests. So in a way, you would have to be pleased with such a good response.
My second point regards the actual content of your correspondance to your local Federal member.
Your last paragraph concerns me greatly.
a) If I’m to be drawn into the “royal ‘We,'” I wish to have no association with the Transgender/Transexual community in any way, shape or form
b) The comment with respects to, no known cure, stands in contradiction to a topic started here some time ago, requesting Medicare recognition of GID in its many forms. Again at a Federal level. (Somewhat counter productive to presenting a “United Front” on the issue)
c) and further to point (b), you are in grave danger of alienating a respectable portion of the community, that are spending an inordinate amount of time, money, resources and effort in seeking well proven forms of remediation for GID. Some of which place the individual well within the spectrum of the law with respects to marriage.
d) To suggest “we are happy living between two worlds” further compromises and undermines the respectable effort referred to in point (b) and I would strongly disagree that the state of supposed ‘happiness,’ could exist, in an environment of personal, and sometimes profound compromise.
With all due respect, it was a nice effort. However my own personal opinion I feel it weakened the case for law reform.
Respectfully
Catherine
