Transgender

My biggest fear on discovering that one of my best friends was transgender, was the fear of losing them, as if somehow it would cause then to change their personality as well as their physical appearance.

Of course this was stupid, but the recent revelations of Bruce Jenner has showed that this is a common fear for those closest to someone who reveals themselves to be transgender. 

That perspective quickly changes, because naturally the person is still to all intents and purposes, themselves. In the sense that really it is only their physical appearance that changes. 

Russell Brand in one of his Trews videos discussed Bruce Jenner and the issues of transgender identity. 

Now, Russell Brand is good at getting all the facts about a situation and putting them forward in a very open and easy to understand way.

And he the video below he points out that transgender is becoming the newest acceptable form of discrimination, since being gay has become more largely accepted, as well as pointing out how ridiculous this is. As if people have said, oh well you can't pick on people who are gay because  it's okay to be gay now and racial discrimination, well that's just a big no, no, but transgender, well that still fine to ridicule and attack.

So, I did a little research and the figures do seem to back him up because last year saw a 44% rise in hate crimes committed against transgender individuals. 

Why? What is it that makes people feel the need to discriminate against others?

Have we learned nothing? 

Why are more parents not teaching their kids to live and let live? 

So, someone is different from you or from what society deems to be the norm, so what? What gives anyone the right to say what is normal and what is not anyway? The truth is the world would be a very boring place if we were all the same. So, let's educate ourselves a little bit and learn about what transgender means. 

Well, simply put it's when the brain identifies itself as being, for example, female while the body presents as male or vice versa. 

Now have you ever tried fighting with your brain? Cause I know I have and as much as I try telling it I am thin, it just keeps on reassuring me that I am in fact not. Sighs. 

But in all seriousness, the fact that so many transgender people feel the need to try to fight those feelings due to what society feels is the norm, is heartbreaking. 

In my personal opinion, those who openly come out as transgender and begin the transformation process are incredibly brave individuals who deserve respect, not ridicule. 

They are, after all, searching and striving to achieve the same thing we all are, contentment in our own skin and happiness in our lives. For some of us, that may mean losing some excess weight, dying our hair, or increasing or decreasing the size of our breasts. For others, it means changing ourselves completely, at least when it comes to our exteriors. Either way, it shouldn't matter, as long as the person doing it ends up feeling more comfortable and happy in their own skin.

All discrimination needs to stop, but sadly that reality seems far off. Instead, it seems as if we replace one hatred for another, without any care or consideration for others, but is it really necessary? 

The reality is that when all is said and done we are all headed to the same destination, death. Couldn't we make that journey a little easier, by respecting each other, being kind to each other and who knows, even trying to help each other?

Everyday hate is spewed out by the media in some form or another. Is that really the world and reality we want to present to our children. 

The whole they attacked us so let's attack them. How many innocent people have to suffer because of hate, before that message gets through. 

As long as it hurts no one or nothing, I say be who you want to be.

Love and hugs 

Joss xx

P.S. To my friend currently on the transgender journey. Please know that I am so proud of you for following your heart and being so strong. You are a true inspiration and I wish you all the best for the future. Love you sugar. Xxx