[Elizabeth]

Is it me or am I a cynic?
I wouldn’t trust any government organisation let alone personal information regarding my gender status. That being said I would like to be counted amongst the gender diverse, but no. I guess I shall mark myself as male, which I’m not. Why? with Adrian’s experience and the Bureau of Statistics why the hell would you trust them? One of their own answering the phone and hasn’t a clue then what chance have we as a community?

[Elizabeth]

Once I was very tempted as it seemed like a dream come true; then in the instructions, Not recommended for diabetics, that was me buggered.

[Elizabeth]

By gum it don’t half get confusing, eh lad! Seriously, transgender is now the preferred terminology and appears to be quite acceptable by all and sundry, except for bigots, nasty buggers and the like. I most certainly term myself as transgender, it’s quite comforting to be transgender; the term denotes we are part of a group, or grouped as a segment of society. Being so involved within the medical profession as a long term patient I’m frequently required to educate and inform nurses, podiatrists on language and terms denoting our community. I only hope some educated silly bugger doesn’t decide to change the language yet again just to confuse everyone. The guidelines for journalists is quite interesting, correct and a sure fire way of inviting bigoted journalists to deliberately misuse the terms, as with the British Daily Mail.

[Elizabeth]

I’m a little sick of the Yanks trying to impose their values on the rest of the world, and that includes the use of the ‘Ladies’ by those characters dressed as women so they can leer and perv on the genuine women and girls having a pee. My question is, do Transmen go to the ‘Gents’ to oggle and perv on men and boys? Is there a double standard somewhere?

[Elizabeth]

I consider this to be a major step in the right direction for transgender people. I sometimes feel the we are on the peripheral as far as spirituality is concerned. I’m not religious at all, caring yes, spiritual, very much so. If only we could start a chapter in Australia it would be fantastic.

[Elizabeth]

Interesting observation Veronica. I have been interested in astronomy and cosmology since childhood, I used to read Sir Fred Hoyle, whom I must assume is gone to the big observatory in the sky. My interest still flourishes, I have a Celestron 8 inch Cassegrain scope, not used as much these days; it’s too bloody cold in Canberra. I have a solar filter, allowing solar observations, for sunspots and transits. Also interested in what makes people tick, including myself.

[Elizabeth]

Any store catering for women’s wear, and or underwear. I’ve never had a problem
in any store. Don’t be shy, tell the sales staff you’re shopping for yourself, I think you’ll be surprised at the reception you will receive. You’re money is as good as any and store are in the business of sales, and sales mean money and income.

[Elizabeth]

I to was bullied something awful as a child and I take no crap from anyone. In any case, surely no one would thump an elderly man wearing glasses with a turbo powered walking stick, Nah!

The best practice is to ignore the would be ignorant, trans phobic bastard.

[Elizabeth]

I think you may as well cross most of the Americas off your travel plans, like my son says (frequent traveller to USA)’They’re all religous nuts’.

[Elizabeth]

Adrian wrote:

Oh – and by the way – am I the only one who looks at Caitlyn and recognises her maleness. Or am I just transphobic!

Hi Adrian,

Short answer, NO.

[Elizabeth]

It appears to me that whatever we do (as transgender people)there well always people who think the opposite causing heartache, anger and such. The dispute around the legality of the use of toilets by the appropriate gender as in the bible belt states of the USA. I guess what I’m trying to say is that whatever we do,say or present ourselves as there will always opposing views, bigotry and damn hatred against us. If I dressed in a frock or present as a woman I use the female toilets (in my case the disabled. Why can’t we be left alone and be accepted as part of humanity? It’s because of ignorance, hatred and just plain bigotry. I am building a passion for advocacy in our community, one step behind the prevention of suicide.
In one sense I agree with the opponents to transgender rights. We are, like it or not, males. Surgery doesn’t suddenly make a female out of a male. We like as a community to think it does, but I for one whilst passionately supporting any transgender person agree with the opposites. It’s a thorny subject and I’m probably wrong. But we don’t change after surgery, we have the identical brains with our life experiences intact; we are still the same people. And does it really matter? I think much of the question of happiness and contentment, we still love the same people as before surgery, we have the same life and in many cases the same jobs, the same tastes in food and alcohol.
I wonder what others think? Please don’t flog me with a Cat O’Nine Tails as I’m fragile, just consider my point of view.

[Elizabeth]

I read this article some years ago and totally agreed with description and findings. Following on from middle age to the more senior years, the article to me was a method of tracking as what I could expect to present itself in the future years. I have reach those future years (and beyond) and the writings still hold true. I do become cranky with idiots, there appears to be so many of them, I do become resentful of those who have transitioned and are enjoying the fruits of the surgery. I do become resentful of myself constantly having to live up to my male persona.
On the other hand I am glad that I have found the strength to carry on as though nothing is amiss in an attempt to comply with my families of choice. Both families know of my challenges around gender dysphoria and my lifelong battle to retain some sense of normality and sound mental health. I have lost battles but in the end I think I shall win the war.

[Elizabeth]

I feel sad, very sad. Why, why would anyone in their right mind openly reject the Safe Schools programme. Yes I know, there are those who insist that the program will do all sorts of harm by exposing children to the likes of us to the Transgender community; it’s terrible. I would literally fight to keep such a good and wholesome program afloat. I do not want anyone to experience the shuttered life I have endured because there was no support. There is support out there, that support needs enhancing not crushing to satisfy the false beliefs of a few.
I’m venting my anger at politicians who cannot see further than the end of their noses. It’s time for our Prime Minister to show some backbone and do his job, not being pressured by a few in the loony right and some from the loony left. Politics have nothing to do with supporting vulnerable kids.

[Elizabeth]

I’ll look out for ‘The New Girlfriend’ I’m a bit of a fan regarding French movies, most of them are very well made with great acting and realistic roles. Best of all I brush up my French without following the English translation.

[Elizabeth]

Hi Martina,

Here in the ACT gender on driving licences was abolished some time ago, thanks in part to AGA and their advocacy.