Society's views on (LGBTQ)

[Brenden McCormick]

We live in a world where our culture is in constant change. Is our world more accepting?

[VickySGV]

Some of us here have been watching it for 50 years, and what you youngsters have is miles ahead of what I had 20 years ago on my first night out in my reality!!  We do have a lot of LOUD unaccepting types, but in 2004, only 8% of people could say they knew a Trans person, the number is now 16% and climbing.  People who know us, and I mean, take time and experience with us become very accepting very quickly.  We still have 84% of the population to go, but that is happening for the better. Get hold of the Transgender History by Dr. Susan Stryker, and you will find a ton of progress since the 1960's and some real heroes of Transdom there.

[Brenden McCormick]

Thank you so much Vicky! I agree, I was researching a paper for school on the LGBT movement and how terrible people were being treated for being who they are. Now we have laws that protect us from people whose intentions are not so pure. 

[Carolyn Marie]

I've been a part of this community for about 9 years, and in just that short span of time, I've witnessed incredible changes.  When I started out, there were NO states that had statewide job protections for trans folk, and almost no well known and admired trans celebrities, and few "heroes" to speak of.  Look at us now.

 

As Vicky said, we have a long, long way to go, and it does seem like we take a step back for every two steps forward, but things are changing, especially with young people.  I'm cautiously optimistic.

 

Carolyn Marie

[Brenden McCormick]

Thank you so very much Carolyn. I will do my part in making the stride pull forward! 

[Charlize]

It is hard to think that at one point if a woman wore pants she was a total freak.  It was scandalous!

At that time there were laws everywhere that meant a man in a dress was looking at major jail time if caught.  

The laws against trans* women were one of the main reasons for the riots at Stonewall that have made huge changes in our society.  I remember when wearing a dress was against the law.  My closet was as far as i got as myself.  Today i live in my home town as myself, open and out in a community where i grew up and worked all my life.

Change.....you bet!

 

Hugs,

 

Charlize

[SugarMagnolia]

That reminds me of a story I read about Katherine Hepburn, famous actress and early female trousers enthusiast:

"Legend has it that when the costume department at RKO stole her slacks (how uncouth!), Kate walked around the studio in her underwear, refusing to put her clothes on until she got her pants back. Kate’s pants became iconic, and in 1939, Vogue first featured women in pants. The rest, as they say, is history."

[SandraG]

I grew up in a two woman household in the 90's, and remember how badly my mom was treated. If she was out with her wife, it seemed like every time she went out she got verbally abused, nasty looks, people getting up and leaving if she came in... it was bad, and this was in a more LGBT-friendly city than many at the time (Albuquerque). Nowadays, same-sex couples don't even get an eyebrow raise back home, even among the rougher parts of society. (At least I've got some prep for RLE...)

The flip side, I think, is the Internet. It allows for all the most juvenile abuse the trolls can think up, just look at Gamergate and the threats many women have gone through because of the anonymity. Emotional abuse and online bullying are routine and expected if you put yourself out there. Doxxing and SWATting offer unique terrors that, unfortunately, seem to rarely have consequences for the perpetrator. Addressing this would do a lot to help many people, not just the LGBTQ community, but how to do it is a big question, and may require something like the Great Firewall - which most people really don't want to see happen.

[Timber Wolf]

The best way to avoid the garbage on social media is to avoid social media I'm afraid. Due to the anonymity you've spoken of, there will always be haters who will bash those they hate on these sites. 

 

Lots of love,

Timer Wolf?