This Website and my Mom
This website came about when
I told my mom that I was transgendered. Although she handled the news fairly well, it became
obvious very quickly that she did not have a very good understanding about people like myself. One of the first things she asked of me was to
recommend some books that she could read to better understand what being transgendered actual is. I had admit that, in spite of attending many lectures and seminars
that deal with gender issues, I had not read many books on the subject, so I did not have a ready answer for her.
I did promise to find some texts for her to read. It was while I was searching for these resources when I clearly saw a need. Although there were many books written and informative resources available on the Internet, many were focused to much on either those individuals who are moving towards sexual reassignment surgery or those individuals who are fetishistic. Most of the books that I found or had recommended to me dealt primarily
about transsexuals or issues related to the psychological disorder called "gender dysphoria." I didn't feel right about handing a books to my mom about
transsexuals because I don't think I identify as one. Similarly, I don't believe that I "suffer" from any mental disorder, so texts on gender dysphoria
seemed equally misplaced. I found a small number of books that did a reasonable good job at describing the "happy cross dresser," but none of them felt
like the best way to describe my situation to my mom.
I wanted my mom to know that my gender "issues" are better described as "enhancements." She needed to hear that there are a great many of us who
identify as transgender and are happy, productive, and respectable members of the community. She needed to understand the basics of gender theory, such
as the difference between sex, gender, and sexual preference and not necessarily about the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care. She needed to understand that,
regardless of
why I am transgendered, I
am transgendered. No one should feel bad about that - not her, not me, and not you.
One of the goals of this website is to explain things to my mom - and yours, for that matter.
