First I want to start this post by saying this may be offensive to some people (trans* or otherwise) and I’m sorry if it does offend you. However this is my personal opinion and in no way reflects the general population. In addition if you have any questions or comments please feel free to comment. 🙂
Whew! now that we got that out of the way…
I have people on almost a daily basis tell me how “brave” I am for what i “must be going through” with my transition and how “strong” I am to have “made that choice”
On one hand I appreciate that many people can tell that it is not a happy go lucky cake walk. But on the other, I don’t really like to be applauded or admired for something I am simply doing to survive, and to make my life better.
I take a shot in my leg once a week so that my body can finally match what I have always seen in my head, and match what I’ve always felt in my soul. What about that is brave? It is survival. I do this, because if I don’t; I become depressed, I suffer from social anxiety, extreme dysphoria and self harm tendencies.
Again I will say, it is not easy. Its not always fun. People can be cruel when they don’t understand. People can be stupid when they don’t understand. But I don’t feel like what I am doing should be viewed as anything other than what it is, a medical process to help my life and my own self image become more cohesive.
I have such a hard time responding to people when they tell me how “brave” or “strong” or “how much of an inspiration” I am. I usually respond with “well, its really not that big of a deal. Its just what I have to do to be healthy and happy” because really how else can I explain this?
I know that transition is different for everyone who walks down this path, and by and large for everyone I believe, it always become something more than just a means to an end. It is a part of us, we will always be in some sort of transition. Because of this I think it is something we (being myself and a few others I know) being to count the transition process, as part of regular life. It is just something that will always be happening. So why make a big deal out of it?
I feel like I’m just rambling now, so readers; response time: what do you say when people “applaud” you for your transition? or tell you how “brave” you are? and ally peoples: if you’ve ever told a trans* person that you think they are “brave” or you admired them, why was that?
From S to J 