Transgender Issues

Thursday’s presentation on transgender issues was very eye opening, I think for myself and a lot of people, because transgendered issues aren’t addressed in the media very often. The cross-cultural studies that were discussed were interesting, partly because I did not realize there were so many situations like the one in India of the hijras and like the two-spirit people of the Navajo. Transgendered people don’t really occupy a role in U.S. society, and so I believe a lot of myths and misconceptions have been perpetuated about them.

Andie’s story in particular was wonderful. She discussed her life and transgendered identity in a way that made the issue more understandable for me, and it was nice to hear someone speak about her personal experience with gender identity. The amount of discrimination, prejudice and violence that transgendered people experience is simply astonishing. This graphic highlights some of the terror. Hopefully, we begin to make strides in combating ignorance about LGBT people and stopping hate crimes soon.