When transgender people transition it can be difficult, not just for them but for the people they work with, their families and friends. I have been fortunate, or blessed, that I have not lost any of my friends or become estranged from any of my family, but I gather that in this, as in so many other things, I am unusual. Many of the Trans people I come across are not working, or are working on their own much of the time, they live on their own and often don't have many friends outside of the trans community.
Inevitably within this community there are all too many fallings out. With different people wanting different things, with hormones being all over the place, and many feeling embattled it is inevitable. It is worth remembering that just because we happen to all be trans, that does not mean we will have other things in common. I have yet to meet anyone in "the community" who shares my taste in music; most will not share my politics, or maybe my taste in literature or holidays. The point is that we are a community of one shared characteristic, and if we rely on that community for our emotional and social support we will be let down!
I'm not given here to much in the way of handing out advice, but I do get concerned when I come across people, well mostly women, who are totally reliant upon the Trans Community for all of their social network, friendship and support. As a group we are particularly susceptible to suicide and depression, so very much need social support. Again I am blessed that as a musician I have a very large social network; I have friends who are not aware of ever having come across another trans person, they are my friends because they are my friends, because of who I am and what I do, not because of what I am.
I'm not trying to boast about what a popular and attractive girl I am, I am just trying to encourage others to stop reading blogs and other online stuff and go out and do things! Join a club, do AmDram, some sports, a cookery course, or a reading group, just get out there in "normal" society, get some friends, some friends who aren't going through the same stuff that you are, but can go to the pub with you and talk about something else! Have Fun!
Inevitably within this community there are all too many fallings out. With different people wanting different things, with hormones being all over the place, and many feeling embattled it is inevitable. It is worth remembering that just because we happen to all be trans, that does not mean we will have other things in common. I have yet to meet anyone in "the community" who shares my taste in music; most will not share my politics, or maybe my taste in literature or holidays. The point is that we are a community of one shared characteristic, and if we rely on that community for our emotional and social support we will be let down!
I'm not given here to much in the way of handing out advice, but I do get concerned when I come across people, well mostly women, who are totally reliant upon the Trans Community for all of their social network, friendship and support. As a group we are particularly susceptible to suicide and depression, so very much need social support. Again I am blessed that as a musician I have a very large social network; I have friends who are not aware of ever having come across another trans person, they are my friends because they are my friends, because of who I am and what I do, not because of what I am.
I'm not trying to boast about what a popular and attractive girl I am, I am just trying to encourage others to stop reading blogs and other online stuff and go out and do things! Join a club, do AmDram, some sports, a cookery course, or a reading group, just get out there in "normal" society, get some friends, some friends who aren't going through the same stuff that you are, but can go to the pub with you and talk about something else! Have Fun!
No comments:
Post a Comment