How to Keep a Woman Happy

I've never dated a man so this is quite biased. If I have any readers who want to make a list of 10 things they know keep a man happy, please email me, text me, whatever and I'll get that up. If I get more than 10, I'll pick my favorites and post them. We all know there HAS to be more than sex, boobs, and booze that keeps guys happy.

How to Keep a Woman Happy (and get quality sex)

1) Always remember dates. Whether it be a lunch date, her birthday, or the first time you talked about that chick flick she wanted to see but never got to because tickets were sold out and now the movie is out at RedBox. 

2) Flirt with her more than your shower curtain does. If you shower together or she complains about how the curtain touches her ass more than you do, step up your game and get fresh with her from time to time. But keep it interesting and tasteful. 

3) ANSWER YOUR PHONE! Whether text or phone call. ANSWER YOUR PHONE!

4) Send her cute memes. Nothing too mushy, unless you're both mushy people and you know she'll love it. Make her laugh; that's a big key to making her happy and getting lucky later on.

5) Be creative. Girls do actually like homemade gifts. It shows you put thought into something. You aren't a self-centered lazy bum who eats Cheetos off your stomach. 

6) Pamper her. Learn how to soak her feet and apply nail polish. Give her a REAL massage. If you do it right, you can turn a neck massage into a sensual romp in the sheets. 

7) ANSWER YOUR PHONE!

8) Don't correct her. Just. Don't. And don't you dare make a face or sigh or breathe weird or look somewhere else or fidget. Keep a straight face, hold eye contact and wait for her to say something else. 

9) When you screw up (and you will) flowers are not always the answer. Every woman is different. She may like tickets to a concert or making her favorite dinner or a hot shower ready for her when she gets home. Do what you know will get you off the hook, shows you are sorry and care. You may not know what the hell you did, but at least you care enough to make it right. Just don't do it again. 

10) ANSWER YOUR FUCKING PHONE!!! You don't listen to her ringtone, you don't send her to voicemail then text her "busy, what up?" You answer that shit before she even calls. You respond to that text message the second you receive it. If you want to see what the child of Satan and the exorcist looks like, make an impatient (and/or clingy/needy) woman wait for you to acknowledge her existence longer than 4 seconds. 

This list is not inclusive or exclusive and should be tailored to YOUR woman. Not all women are the same and YOU MUST REMEMBER THAT to avoid castration, sleeping on the couch or, in extreme cases, death. 

Assuming

I had a friend of mine tell me a sad story today. A gay woman she works with demeaned her because she told the lady she was bisexual. This woman is openly gay and they were discussing when their parents found out about their sexuality. Well, as a non-parent, I guess I don't see why it matters when a parent "finds out" their child is gay, lesbian, transgender, pan gender, whatever. Do straight people say "Hey Ma, guess what! I'm straight!" No…don't think so. And if you do, what in the hell?

Everybody, whether you like to be on top or on bottom. Whether you like to penetrate or to be penetrated. Whatever your preference is, you deserve to be respected. How dare you tell someone they're "greedy and nasty" because they love differently than you do. How dare you look down upon someone who fights the same battle you do in society. Being bisexual is as much a choice as being gay, tall, fat, blue-eyed.

At dinner tonight with a couple of gay friends, the conversation came up (not by my own instigation) and it was an eye-opener for me. I wasn't raised any better than any of my friends. I was just lucky to have the open-minded mom that I have and went to the most culturally diverse elementary school in town. So, judging someone by color, creed, sex, gender identity, whatever was just something that I didn't understand until I was a teenager if not older.

I heard one friend tell me how his opinion on bisexuality had changed as he got older. My other friend didn't understand how it worked until we explained it to him. Being able to see someone's mind change in front of me was spectacular. I'm endeared to this person a little more than I was because I was able to see the dots connect in his mind and a new door in his life had been opened.

Being bisexual doesn't mean you're a sex fanatic and you will boink whoever will get into your pants. It's absolutely not like that. Did you know that being bisexual isn't even being attracted to men and women? If that were the case, nearly every human being would be bisexual. I find some men attractive, either physically or intellectually. However, I'd never hop into bed with a guy willingly. Nope, never. Not happening in this damn lifetime. I know friends who are married and attracted to women, but they don't want to have sex with another woman.

Most bisexual individuals are more attracted to the personality or "various other attributes and take note of gender afterwards" instead of caring whether they're bedding with a specific gender. It has nothing to really do with gender or orientation as much as it does what matters. And isn't that what we all want? To be loved for everything that we are and hope to be? The worst thing you can do is to demean someone who is bisexual, especially if you are gay. That's like telling your sister or brother that they're lesser than you are. It's not okay. It shouldn't be tolerated.

Resources:

Common Myths of Bisexuality, Bi's and Allies -- a caucus of Pride @ UIC

     http://www.uic.edu/depts/quic/bisandallies/myths.html

Image:

     http://idunnonews.wordpress.com/2012/06/12/gay-straight-or-neither/

Hero/Heroine

One of my best friend's favorite song is "Hero" by Mariah Carey and it's actually a song that I appreciate. Recently, I had the chance to be a hero. In the aftermath, I realized that we are each a hero in our own way. Why? Because sometimes, we have to be our own hero. What does it mean to actually be a hero?

Hero [he-ro, heer-oh] / Heroine  [her-o-ine, her-oh-in]

A man/woman of distinguished courage or ability, admired for his/her brave deeds and noble qualities.

A person who, in the opinion of others, has heroic qualities or has performed a heroic act and is regarded as a model or ideal.

The principle male/female character in a story, play, film, etc.

It means being brave for a split second longer than your dismay. You have to be able to think quickly and make decisions that can have serious implications. You may possibly even feel a sense of responsibility tied to the word "hero". There isn't anything wrong with that, because most people don't want to be a role model or to be a hero. In fact, most people will say "I was doing the right thing" and that's all they were thinking. But what happens when your expected hero (or anyone) doesn't come to save you?

That's when you "look inside you and be strong" because you "finally see the truth that a hero lies in you". Too much? Let's be honest: People will disappoint you. They will let you down. This is human nature because we are not perfect. Society is not perfect and flaws sometimes come out at the most inopportune times. There's nothing wrong with relying on other people, even though it can be difficult for people at times. I do not rely on people for many things and hate admitting I need help. Even then, for every day issues, I have to rely on my own abilities to keep me from falling between the cracks.

I take care of myself. To the best of my ability, of course. Society is going to judge me based off my voice, my clothes, my heritage, my attitude, and whatever else they believe they have the right to judge me by. Go for it. If judging me makes you feel better, fine. I'll consider you ignorant until you and I have a serious conversation about what I'm doing so wrong that you feel offended by me. But really, I don't expect anyone to come to my defense and "save" me from ignorant people who don't give me a chance.

I'm not a hero to anyone else. I haven't saved anyone from a burning building, or from drowning. I haven't been able to donate millions of dollars to a cause I truly believe in. I'm a simpleton. A homebody who enjoys reading actual paperback/hardback books, cooking dinner for those I love, playing with my dogs, and sleeping 12 hours a day if I can pull it off. I noticed suspicious activity, I reported it. Most heroes do nothing more than notice something wrong and do what they can to make it better.

You can be, and generally are, your own hero. When you can't find someone to help you, you must believe in yourself that you are all you need. You sometimes have to dig very deep, deeper than you think you can go, to find your hero and bring that person out. It's easy to get lost in ourselves, or others, but we must never ever give up on our selves. Nobody can tell you how to save yourself, it's something that is internal, completely and utterly raw. Don't give up on yourself just because you feel alone. If you could save one person in the world, wouldn't you do it?

Resources:

"Hero" by Mariah Carey via LyricsFreak.com, 2013

     http://www.lyricsfreak.com/m/mariah+carey/hero_20088486.html

Image: 

http://cauldronsandcupcakes.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/sometimes-you-have-to-be-your-own-hero.jpg

Lust and Love

This really isn't what I had in mind for posting, but it's something I already had typed up. Look, folks, I'm not an expert on anything, by any means. I'm lucky I can be considered a 'novice' on Guitar Hero. Love especially is not my forte. I'm happy to talk to you and listen and give what limited, biased advice I can give. But if you don't want to hear it, don't ask.

**DISCLAIMER**

While you may be a logical human being, I am more of an emotional human being. My thoughts may seem silly or frivolous, but I've managed to have one or two people love me for my silly thoughts (and because I'm a beast in bed). #DontJudgeMe

We all want to be loved. Right? It's a universal desire, it's embedded in our DNA somewhere, it has to be. We all want to experience the butterflies, the sweaty palms, the jumbled words that fly out of our mouth because we're so nervous, the bumping of foreheads when going in for the first kiss, the sickening cuteness that follows once the relationship is defined. Okay, so maybe we don't really want that, but we want the endorphins to flow like a waterfall and we want someone to be genuinely concerned for us, we want someone who knows that one text or call from them can change our entire day.

If you tell me you don't want that, fine. You're capable of writing love off all you want, apparently, and maybe you just have been burned too many times. But I assure you, when you find The One, your opinion on everything you've ever known and ever felt and ever wanted will change. People think that when "I" becomes "We", someone is losing their identity. Not necessarily. You can be with someone and say "we" as long as you still have "I" in your vocabulary.

"We saw that movie, it was pretty good."

"We ate there, the service sucked, but the food was amazing."

"We went there last year on vacation, we can't wait to go back!"

Those are perfectly normal comments to make. It shows that you and your SO enjoy things together, as a couple. Even yet, you can have different views.

"We looked at that car. I don't think it's my style, but she likes it."

"We went to the show last week. He absolutely hated it. I thought it was amazing!"

"We want to adopt a pet, but I want a dog and she wants a bird."

There's nothing wrong with any of that! You're thinking for yourself and that matters a lot. What also matters is who you are when you're alone and who you are when you're in a group together. You should be the same person. If you're someone else, there might be a problem. But is it you, them or the friends you're with?

You need your friends, your SO needs their friends, and you can share friends. Just be careful of the friend who is "too friendly". I'm not possessive, even though I've been tagged as such. I truly don't care who you text, who you talk to, who you spend your time with…to an extent. If they're a shady character who sends you inappropriate texts or flirts with you in front of me or makes me go on the defensive because of their inappropriate comments, we have some things to discuss. Or the friend who doesn't like me so they get pouty and it's a fight for your attention. I love you, but I'm not going to fight for your attention. I'll concede and let them have your attention. I know who you're going home with at the end of the night.

I'm quite aware that nobody wants to get into my pants and I think I'm alright with my situation. Nobody needs to be in my pants, especially without a belt. That doesn't take away from the fact that I am a hopeless romantic who can tend to be on the jealous side. Is that the Taurus in me? Eh…who's to say. Maybe it's a personality flaw. But it makes me who I am, right? Or am I just a prick who really is possessive under all my sincere concern?

These are things to consider when entering a relationship. Can you (and do you) think for yourself when this person is around? Do you get jealous or possessive on a consistent basis? (If you do, why?) Can you communicate honestly and openly? Can you compromise? If you say "yes" to most of these, I think you'll be alright.

When you find The One, you know. It's in the way they kiss you, the way your whole body is immediately electrified when you see them and how you strip them naked within the first 3 seconds of getting them in the house. Lust and Love are different things. Lust, it fades. It may come back, but it's never the same. It's like that AT&T commercial that I can't stand. "You want more, and you just want more because there's less so you want more and more and your parents won't give you more so you want more." Bane of my existence. But that's lust - you just want more and more, without concern for the other person. Love is a whole creature its own.

Love takes a lot of work and a lot of sweat and a lot of time. If love is easy, if you are complacent, are you in love anymore? When you love someone, you're going to argue with them and you're going to have to compromise. You're going to have to make hard decisions as a couple and as individuals. Love, sometimes, requires a fight…just to make sure that you're still in it. But don't push your luck, or you're going to push the love away and it will be replaced with silence and resentment. And neither of those feel good. For either party.

When you are willing to pass up game night with the gang to cuddle on the couch with your girl or are willing to order wings and a pizza for the game and watch it with your guy (and actually cheer and participate), then you're in love. When you wake up every morning, feel the bed next to you hoping they're there, you're in probably love. When you go to bed without them, but you stay awake texting them until you break your nose from dropping your phone on your face too many times, you're probably in love.

Love is different for each person. It's finding someone who has a similar idea of love that keeps you together. When you can see into the future and you see the two of you sitting on the porch, drinking your iced tea and lemonade, rocking in your rocking chairs, holding hands…congratulations. You're in love. 

Resilient

So for today's blog, I tossed around a couple of ideas. Gender roles and Defining relationships. I'll be honest, talking about either of those is hard to do (for me) without getting too personal and I'm seriously not in the mood to disclose that much. Instead, let's just talk, shall we?

As you've read (I hope) in my last two posts, there's a lot of damage and carnage going on in the state of Oklahoma. I've heard, here and there, that Kansas, Missouri and Texas also had some severe weather. Apparently it wasn't as dire as ours is and hasn't made national headlines. 

If you haven't noticed, or if you don't know me, I can be quite sensitive. It's an attribute that I don't like to express, but one that is very hard for me to hide and I've spent the better part of six months trying to bring it down a few notches. Compared to this time last year, I'm about 75% as sensitive as I was before. And maybe I'm giving myself more credit than I deserve, but I'm taking it because I have made positive changes worth considering since the beginning of the year.

Sensitive or not, I am still emotional. I may have the brain of a dude, but I still have the hormones of a girl. I may not have been immediately affected by the twister, but I was changed - even minutely - by my trip to Moore to help. I'm a people-person. I love to see people face-to-face. I'll Skype or FaceTime with just about anyone (and someone Skype'd with me tonight and prompted my unpublished thoughts on "defining relationships") and I'll go out of my way to see someone who needs a hug or something. I just operate better on that level. I also internalize a lot. I probably should have stuck to financial and goods donation.

I think, to some degree, any decent human being wants to help in one way or another. People think that positive thoughts/energy and prayer isn't enough. If that's all you can offer, please, don't let up until you've given every ounce that you have to give. You'd be surprised what a smile can do for someone. A hug, even. Just because you can't physically help with debris removal doesn't mean you aren't helping. I took off a bite way too big for me to chew by trying to go out there and volunteer my man power. I don't regret it, I wouldn't change it. I wanted to, I needed to. Just because the news and people in the area told me it looked like a "war zone" doesn't mean I understood what they meant. I am a tangible thinker. I HAVE to see it, feel it, take it in for myself, to understand it. That's why math and I don't get along.

Please, if you are in another state or you are unable to lift wood and plaster and deal with the sight of baby clothes and toys and cars being strewn about like they don't even matter, keep everyone in your thoughts. Don't give up hope, because I can guarantee you that Oklahoma is not giving up hope. We are resilient. The one word people are associating with us Okies is resilient and they are absolutely right.

Unrecognizable

Devastation. Decimation. Obliteration. Carnage. Annihilation. Havoc. Chaos. Ruin. Wreckage.

These are just a few of the words that came to my mind as I drove down SE 149th street into the destruction of the May 20 tornado that hit Moore. The closer I got to the actual path of the tornado, the worse it got, obviously. It's very hard to put into words what happened. Not just to my surroundings, but what happened in me, in my head. When I found a place to park, I trekked through the rain that had just started and made my way back to the road. I saw a pair of muddy jeans by my foot that belonged to a child and that's when I realized the magnitude of what I was walking into.

It wasn't the shredded houses or the crumpled cars that got to me. It was the humanity that was strewn about. Those could have been my jeans. My pictures. My life in someone else's yard. Or in a tree, there was a lot of debris in some of the remaining trees. I had seen videos of the tornado coming within a thousand feet or so of people I know and I feared for them, but I knew they were okay. I'd seen pictures of downed power lines. Everything that I had seen on TV and from friends in Moore didn't quite register, I guess. It took actually seeing it for myself for it to be more than just pictures and videos.

It was now tangible. It was real. When the news said it was "like a war zone" they were absolutely right. It was like a bomb had gone off and it went on as far as the eye could see. Some houses had it worse than their neighbors, and there were some houses that looked like they had just been built. Surreal. It was utterly surreal and I know I walked around with a shocked look on my face.

I eventually found my way to the house I was looking for. It was interesting to see the path of destruction just go from one side of the street and then skip a bit and hit the next street harder than the street before. I just can't explain it. It was a lot to take in. There wasn't even much to do. Just search through the rubble and find things that you can salvage. Pictures, clothes, memories. You put it in bags and boxes, whatever you can.

Getting to wherever you needed to go was absolutely horrific. Having to park a mile and a half away from your destination. If you can't get to your house to get your stuff, what do you do? You don't want to leave your belongings there, especially in the rain. Do you attempt to outrun the police and sneak past them? You do what you have to do to get your stuff, that's just all there is to it. 

I don't have any pictures or videos that are going to go viral. I don't have a personal story about things that I've lost because I didn't lose anything. I did all I knew to do: I donated water to a couple different places, I tried to help and clean up a home that was ripped from end to end, I donated money via text at least three times. Why? Because I can't sit back and do nothing.

Do what you can, even if it is just positive energy/thoughts. It may seem like it's nothing, but let's be honest, it does amazing. When you share a smile with someone who has nothing left, they have something because of you. So please, whether you're able to donate money, time or supplies, remember that every little bit you give matters to someone in the middle of this chaos.

 Tornado approaching 19th from the west

 Debris along 149th 

 Approaching the neighborhood I parked in

 No words

 "TOP CHEF" caught my eye first

 SUV smashed against fallen trees

 House standing next to demolished houses

 Behind the Veterans Park

 Debris pile on corner of 4th

 Houses are ok, tree is not

 Other than that, there was no visible damage on this side of the street

 Flag across the street from the house we tried to salvage

Cars that probably don't belong there

I'm Proud

Tragedy and heartache are a part of life. That's just the way things go. It can be a harder fact to deal with when it hits close to home.
I didn't lose anything but time on May 20, 2013. I spent nearly 9 hours of the day glued to the television, searching the internet, trying to find ways I can help the Heartland. Newcastle, Moore and south OKC was hit by an EF4 tornado that was compared to the May 3, 1999 tornado that came bearing down on Moore and south OKC.
We are without power and water, we are stranded in our own homes due to debris and traffic, we are searching for loved ones, we are grieving for those whom we have never met but whom have been lost to Heaven.
This wicked twister hit two schools. One school was able to account for every student and teacher. The second school was not so lucky. All of the 4-6th graders were taken to a local church before the storm hit, but the (possible pre-k) students up to 2nd grade remained at the school. Here in Oklahoma, we get in the hallway, put our heads between our knees and cover our necks. We pray that it's nothing serious (and most of the time, it's just the sirens and maybe some wind), we think about our toys and our mommy's and daddy's. Living where I live, we sat in the hallway, pretended to have our heads between our knees for a couple of minutes before getting restless and making noise.
Tornadoes are a fact of life in Oklahoma. From the panhandle in the west to Missouri and Arkansas in the east. From the Red River to the plains of Kansas. We are no strangers to tornadoes and their devastation. Many people were here in 1999 and what did they do? They rebuilt on the very same land. They, along with the rest of us, never imagined that we would be here 14 years later. And what's going to happen in the months to come? You got it, we are going to rebuild once more.
That's what it means to be an Oklahoman. We are among the first to respond to any disaster, because we were raised on hard work and compassion. We give everything we have, no matter how little it may seem, because we were raised on giving to those in need and kindness. We take care of those who are suffering, because we were raised to be fighters and friends.
I may not live in an area of Oklahoma that gets hit by tornadoes often, but I am a born and raised Okie by almost every definition of the word. I even get the accent when I get really pissed off. Debris, darkness, rain and cold will not deter us from finding people who are waiting for our helping hand. It also won't keep us from finding the angels who have already left us so we can honor them properly.
There are a lot of things we need to change in the Midwest, in areas that are often in the path of Mother Nature's wrath. Schools need to have storm shelters - STANDARD. The "tuck-n-hide" method obviously doesn't work. Businesses need to be made out of more than aluminum and bricks. Tornado season, luckily, isn't one that everyone has to face nor does it last long. But the scars will remain for many, many years to come. Not just on our hearts, but on the land. We will not bow down to Mother Nature, we will not give up our homeland. It can be blown away, torn to shreds. Our lives may be changed forever, but we will not walk away from the place called Oklahoma.
I am an Oklahoman. And I'm damn proud of it.

Recognition in the Workplace Matters

We all need money. So we can pay bills, go see movies, eat, have a roof over our heads, means of transportation. Everyone needs money so they can do the things they need to do and want to do. Trying to make ends meet can be hard for the average American as is, but try being trans and being passed up for a promotion you're obviously qualified for or being frowned upon during an interview because the manager doesn't know how to address you. I've had both happen to me. One while I was still employed under my birth name, the other obviously after my name change.

There was a point in time where I considered joining the military because my grandpa and mom were in the military. I thought of joining the Army. It obviously didn't happen, for many reasons, but I've always supported our troops. I may not agree with the agenda that our military has, but the men and women fighting for our freedoms matter to me. I've heard a lot of crap spewing from people about a RETIREE who had her gender changed on her paperwork at the Pentagon.

She changed her name in the state of California after having her surgery and wanted her paperwork to match. This is "the first time" that a member of the military, retiree or active, has been acknowledged positively. If you're an active member and come out as transgender, you will be discharged. Sound familiar? Gay, lesbian and bi-sexual members have been openly allowed to serve since 2011 only. It's going to be a while before transgender men and women are allowed to openly serve.

Equality for transgender is very important. It's not going to go away. There are going to be trans people regardless of their acceptance. You think gay people have only been around since the 50s? Did you know that you can be fired in 29 states for being gay? It's also "legal to fire someone" for being transgender in 34 states. Not only is it incredibly difficult for me to get a job (when there are TONS of jobs in my area available), but I can get fired from a job simply because of who I am?

We work to provide for our families, for ourselves, to go on vacations, to buy groceries, to take care of our pets, to ensure our cars run properly. Things that are very important to our every day living. And a lot of us work in jobs that we may not love, but we enjoy simply because of our co-workers. We make money and put it back into the economy. Yet we get ridiculed for trying to make the world a better place, for making our bodies match our minds, for loving someone, for simply being honest about who we are?

When we lose our jobs for these reasons, we also stop putting as much into our economy, we lose faith in establishments for being so abrasive, and in my case, we lose a little bit of faith in society. It's time that faith be restored, and every little step in the right direction matters.

Resources: 

"Pentagon recognizes transgender service members for first time in 'symbolic' move for LGBT community", Mail Online, Helen Pow, 2013

     http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2325737/Autumn-Sandeen-Pentagon-recognizes-transgender-service-members-time-symbolic-LGBT-community.html

"29 States Can Fire You For Being Gay. Is Your State One Of Them?", Human Rights Campaign via upworthy.com, Rebecca Eisenberg and Martha Pettit, 2013

     http://www.upworthy.com/29-states-can-fire-you-for-being-gay-is-your-state-one-of-them

Let's Clear the Air

I came across a picture today on Facebook that is titled "The Myth of Trans* Regrets" and is based on a survey from 2011. I know it's a little outdated, but I wanted to provide some personal data. I think there really are a lot of myths out there about what it even means to be trans. There just isn't a lot of information being given out freely. Most people who know about trans people either know someone or they themselves are trans. There's information available, but if you want to find out, you generally have to go and self-educate yourself. Not that it's bad, but it's unfortunate that there isn't enough dialog to give the information in conversation. Here is my list (and responses) of my favorite myths.

1) Being transgender is a choice.

          This is anything BUT true. Did you choose to be straight or gay or bisexual? Did you choose to be tall or short? No, it's just who you are; you had no choice in those things.

2) Trans people can't have families.

          They may not be able to have biological children post-surgery, but their signifcent other can and they can adopt if they didn't have their own children pre-surgery.

3) Trans people are really just gay.

          Not all trans people are gay. But there's nothing saying that after they transition they aren't. Being trans doesn't mean you're gay or straight, it means you identify with the opposite sex and possibly want to have surgery to make everything match.

4) Trans women are all sex workers.

          That's absolutely not true. They may be sex workers to pay for their surgery. I've seen a documentary about that, but that doesn't mean they enjoy it. You do what you gotta do to get by. As with any motivated person, people want a career and to make a name for themselves and to provide for their family.

5) All trans people are addicted to sex.

          Really? People enjoy sex, that's all there is to it. Not everyone is addicted to sex who enjoys having sex. Do you consider yourself a sex addict?

6) All trans people want surgery.

          A lot of people choose not to have both top and bottom surgery. Having your breasts removed or having implants helps one to pass more easily as their identified gender. Bottom surgery isn't necessary, that's more of a personal preference for most trans folks.

7) You aren't a trans person until you start HRT.

          Hormon replacement therapy is an important part of transitioning, but I haven't started my HRT yet. Does that mean I'm just deceiving myself and the people I meet? No, I just haven't been able to make HRT fit into my financial scheme.

8) People choose to transition because they were unsuccessful as their birth gender.

          I don't know if I am an unsuccessful woman, I just know that I don't identify as a woman.

9) It's just a phase.

          Sucking your thumb is just a phase. Living on Ramen noodles is a phase. Trying to reconcile your inside with your outside is anything but a phase. 

10) Trans people aren't religious.

          There's a church where I live that is all-inclusive. Their mission statement includes everyone under the sun. I may not go to church on a weekly basis, but I've got a relationship with my beliefs and that's enough for me.

11) Conversion therapy is the only cure.

          There is no cure. Surgery and HRT isn't a "cure" because it's not a disease. I'm not going to feel like my body matches my mind if I drink enough water and juice and take my vitamins. It's going to require a lifetime of HRT and surgeries. Even then, society will see me as a transsexual. Which is sad, but that's another blog.

12) Being trans is just like being schizophrenic - they are both just hallucinations and delusions, so transition should be prohibited.

          I've never heard this before in my life. I don't believe I have separate personalities, but I have sometimes felt like I live two lives. Since changing my name, I don't feel that way anymore.

13) Trans people are deceiving others about their "true" gender.

          It's not my goal to deceive anyone. My true gender is that of male. That's who I am, who I'll always be. My body just doesn't match that. Yet.

14) Your sex can be clearly defined by your chromosomes and/or hormones.

          Biologically, I am a woman. My chromosomes confirm that. Doesn't mean that I'm a woman.

15) Transgender people are confused.

          I was personally most confused about what it was that I was feeling, more than being confused about who I am. I had to figure it out, research it, put a name to it before I could say I wasn't confused. 

16) Transitioning ruins lives.

          It only ruins your life if you choose to let it ruin your life. Yes, there are people who can't accept that their mom/dad/brother/sister/son/daughter are trans and want to transition. They're the reason things fall apart. If they could be accepting, there could be many more doors of happiness opened for them, and especially for their loved one. 

17) Transitioning will make a person bitter and depressed.

          I'm not bitter or angry or depressed. Yes, it's a challenging road and I've struggled a lot (and my struggle isn't over yet) but I am a much happier, more confident person because of my honesty and openness about who I really am.

18) Trans people are pressured into having surgery.

          Not in the slightest. In fact, I've had friends ask me if I was sure I wanted to have the surgery, if I was sure I wanted to even go on hormones because the side effects are serious. Concern and open dialog is very important in ensuring everyone understands what is entailed in being trans and wanting to transition. I wouldn't say I've been talked out of having surgery, but the concern is genuine and should be appreciated as long as it's not demeaning. 

Resources:

"Top Fifty Myths About Being Transgender", democraticunderground.com, Will Parkinson, 2013

     http://www.democraticunderground.com/113726662

"Transgender Visibility Guide: Some Myths and Facts", Human Rights Campaign, 2012

     http://preview.hrc.org/issues/13098.htm

"The Myth of Trans* Regrets", Gender Advocacy Training & Education via Support Equality Rights on facebook.com, 2011

     https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=620076608020334&set=a.598205483540780.1073741828.598181300209865&type=1&theater

     

Who is Responsible for Consent?

I'm sure that by now, we are all aware of the parents who are suing the South Carolina Department of Social Services, Greenville Hospital System and Medical University of South Carolina for completing sexual reassignment surgery (SRS) on their adopted son when he was a mere 16 months old. It's important to realize that most children show gender preference that early. Some studies say that children start dabbling in gender roles around the age of 3. They can "tell the difference between" boys and girls, but it's not a permanent idea just yet.

In cases where a child is born with ambiguous genitalia, there should be consent from the parents for surgery to take place. Since there was no parent to have a voice for the baby born with male genitalia, the state stepped up and made an "irreversible decision" that ultimately should have been made by the child or the adoptive parents. The boy, M.C., has transitioned to the best of his ability and has been accepted by his peers. That's the silver lining to this situation. Unfortunately, he's going to have "questions about his body" and the conversation to follow is going to be quite difficult. He has identified as a male since he was around the age of 7 and will now never have the ability to have children of his own.

There is a time and a place for SRS and this decision should be made by the person having the surgery. They're the one to live with the decision for the rest of their life and nobody can or should force them into what they feel this child should be. This kind of surgery used to be much more common 40 to 50 years ago, where children weren't given the chance to find their true gender. In today's society, things like this shouldn't be happening. Waiting "until the child's own gender identity" becomes apparent, or when they initiate the conversation, is when medical steps should be taken. Children can tell at an early age where they fit in and can take hormone suppressants if necessary. They have reversible advantages and can be stopped at any time if the child determines that they want to remain their birth gender.

When a child, or any person, is able to articulate what gender they identify with, it can be scary if it's to the opposite than their birth gender. What makes it even more scary is one of these doctors agrees that this surgery can "be catastrophic" without the proper consent. There are many reasons why this surgery was unnecessary and it's time for awareness to be considered. Intersex is something that we don't hear of often. Statistics are available and most state that there are 2 or 3 in every 2,000 children born as having both male and female genitalia. These children have a unique set of challenges ahead of them. They're not transgender or transsexual, but they can be. Within the umbrella of what can be considered sexual deviance, they are truly the black sheep of the family.

(The USA Today link should include a video. If it doesn't work, comment or email me and I'll ensure you get the proper link.)

Resources:

"Early Childhood Gender Identity and Sexuality", Child Development and Parenting: Early Childhood, Angela Oswalt

     http://www.bhcmhmr.org/poc/view_doc.php?type=doc&id=12771&cn=462

"Parents sue South Carolina, hospital over child's sex assignment surgery", Associated Press via fox news.com, 2013

     http://www.foxnews.com/health/2013/05/15/parents-sue-south-carolina-hospital-over-child-sex-assignment-surgery/

"Child, born as a hermaphrodite, was given surgery to become female as a toddler," The Greenville (S.C) News via USA TODAY,  Tim Smith, David Dykes, Michelle Frizalone, 2013

     http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/15/child-sex-assignment-surgery/2161941/

Binding: Is It Worth It?

Let's talk about an important part about the FtM process: Binding. I didn't start consistently binding until after I was 22. I used Ace bandages and it could be painful at times as it was hard to breathe and sometimes the bandages dug into my sides. Occasionally, I'd use duct tape. That, quite honestly, is extremely painful. I didn't learn until recently, from a friend of mine, that binding can also cause fluid to build in your lungs from the pressure.

Here are some tips to bind properly and ensure your health isn't threatened by trying to be who you feel you are inside. (Taken directly from my source when I was starting my binding process)

Layer: Layering is a good way to take "a day off" from wearing your binder. Wear a shirt smaller than you normally would. It'll gently compress/flatten them so they aren't as noticeable. Follow that with a couple of loose t-shirts. You want to make sure each layer is less tight than the one before. A lot of guys will wear a button down or a loose fitting polo to top it all off.

Sports Bra: Investing in a "tight-fitting" sports bra is a good use of money, even if it is uncomfortable purchasing. With multiple sports bras, you can customize your look a little more. But that is all up to you and what your comfort level is. It's also useful in layering as your base.

Neoprene waist/abdominal trimmers or back support devices: Think of a wet suit. It's cheap and easy to find, but it doesn't breathe well. Back supports wrap around the torso and offer a slimming attribute. These are generally secured with Velcro and are generally tight, so you have to be careful as to how long/often you wear the device.

Athletic compression shirts: Very tight fitting shirts that are typically designed for athletes, so they are breathable and don't collect sweat.

Chest binders/medical compression shirts: These can be a little harder to get your hands on, but they can be used as binders as well as compression post-surgery if needed. (See link below for more information)

The point of binding is to look and pass more as a man than you would without. It's okay to want that, it's okay to make that happen, just don't get too zealous. You need to wear your binder for no more than 8-12 hours a day and allow your chest at least one day a week where you don't wear your binder. Over time, your body will adjust and your breasts will start growing in the direction that you bind. For example: If you push your breasts up and bind them that way, over time, they will maintain that growth pattern. I wear a binder that's much like a tank top, so it simply just flattens my chest. I can speak from personal experience that this is true. Bind in a way that works for you, in a way that makes you feel confident and sexy and proud to be who you are. When you feel good, people around you will feel good with you. That makes it worth it.

Resources:

"Binding: Creating a Male-Looking Chest", Hudson's FTM Resource Guide

     http://www.ftmguide.org/binding.html

Interrogation? 20 Questions? Ask Away!

When coming out, there are certainly questions that people ask. It's unavoidable. Very few people will simply nod their head and go on. They'll either ask you or ask a mutual friend. I'm going to go ahead and compile a list of questions I've been asked and questions that maybe people are too afraid to ask.

• Does your girlfriend/boyfriend consider herself/himself gay or straight?
• In my last relationship, she considered herself straight because she saw me as a man. 
• Can you/do you pee standing up/sitting down?
• Anyone can pee standing up/sitting down. Depends on how dedicated you are. I have  previously stood up to go pee, and there are places that sell prosthetics where you can learn how to do it if you want.
• Why do you want a penis/vagina?
• Having a penis part of my identity, part of my sexuality. It isn't 100% necessary, but I feel very naked and vulnerable without one. I've only talked to one transwoman who was willing to go into that sensitive topic with me and she agreed, it's part of her sexuality. She needed/wanted the surgery because it made her feel more feminine.
• How do your parents feel about you dating a woman/man?
• My mother personally has never expressed any disappointment or issues. I've only brought one woman home to meet my mom in that capacity. I'm sure it was an adjustment, but she never said that it made her uncomfortable. I think that this really depends on how supportive and open your parents are
• What do you do during "that time of the month"?
• That's actually a fantastic question because I really don't know how anyone else deals/dealt with it. Personally, I don't have to deal with it all that often and when I do, I literally want to die because it's just one more thing reminding me that my body doesn't match my brain.
• What is the difference between transgender and transsexual?
• Transgender: Identifying with a gender opposite than ones biological gender.
• Transsexual: A person born with the physical characteristics of one gender who emotionally and psychologically feel that they belong to the opposite sex
• When defined this way, I actually have to reconsider whether or not I'm transsexual. There have always been negative connotations to being transsexual and so I felt I identified as a transgender man. Well...I was born a female, but emotionally and psychologically I absolutely do not feel like a female. Maybe it's time to challenge those stigmas and remove them from how it's all viewed by society.
• What is the hardest part about being transgender/transsexual?
• Coming to terms with your body not matching your mind. It's very hard to not feel like a mistake or an abomination of some sort at some point in time. You learn to deal and cope and accept yourself the best that you can. That's why people start to dress in the clothes of the gender they identify with most, that's why they possibly try being gay first, that's why they attempt and commit suicide. It's so hard to accept yourself when society doesn't accept you. That's why we all have to be allies and not judge someone for something they have absolutely no control over. I didn't ask to be born a female. It's not something I want...nor would I ever wish anyone to experience the emotional turmoil I have.
• Is your facial hair natural? How do you make it grow? (for transwomen: how do you get your face so smooth?)
• Yes, it's natural. It just grows. I have no control over it. It grows like the hair on my head, legs, arms, wherever. It doesn't grow on the sides of my face and it doesn't even cover my full chin, but I make it work the best I can because I feel more masculine, more attractive, when I have facial hair. That, and I look like I'm 12 when I'm clean shaven.
• For transwomen, a lot of them undergo electrolysis to remove their facial hair. It's very painful and can be quite expensive, but it's what you do to make yourself complete.
• Does showing previous, more feminine (more masculine) pictures bother you?
• Honestly, the only time I get uncomfortable is when you can OBVIOUSLY tell I'm a girl. Such as prom, when I'm in a beautiful purple and shimmery orange dress. Yeah, I actually hide those pictures from public viewing. People can't believe I'd ever wear a dress. Well, yeah, I kinda had to. And yes, I went to prom with a guy. Twice. I don't know about other people. Maybe they're more accepting of their past. It's not that I'm ashamed, but it isn't who I identify with and it makes me feel a little awkward.
• How do you have sex?
• How do YOU have sex? I'll tell you a quick story. I was a virgin until I was 25. I have sex the same way everyone else has sex.
• How do you know you want to be a man/woman?
• How do you know you are a man/woman? Is it because you have a penis or a vagina? Is it because you wear a certain brand of clothing? Shop in a certain section of the store? It's that I identify with what society considers male. Even as a kid, I was interested in typically male occupations: Preacher, meteorologist (think Gary England, Mike Morgan...10 o'clock news in central OK, all main meteorologists were men). I guess that's it. My other occupations were vet and journalist/author. You just know, it's who you are, it's how you want the world to view you and address you.
• Do you consider yourself gay or straight?
• Seeing as how I identify as a man and date only women, I see myself as a straight man. That doesn't mean that a trans woman (man who identifies as a woman) won't have her surgery and date women. That would make her a gay woman. Not all trans people will date the opposite of their identifying gender. Your gender identity does not define your sexual orientation. 

I'll give you this: It is a very interesting thing to discuss. If you haven't self-educated yourself, you may not have a lot of exposure to the trans community. And, honestly, that's okay. I didn't grow up extremely exposed to the gay community. I learned about that on my own. The fact that you're willing to educate yourself is amazing and I commend you for your search to expand your knowledge base. For that, I would be very willing to answer any questions anyone may have. I promise utmost honesty. If I don't know something, I will research it for you and provide you with what I find, links and information. If I can help someone learn something new, I will go to the ends of the Earth to make it happen. You can comment here, post on my Facebook wall/message or email me.

One thing I do ask you keep in mind when you meet a trans person: we have feelings, too. Some questions are invasive and many topics can be sensitive. Please be aware of that. If we don't feel comfortable answering a question, please let it go. 


Resources:
"Answers To Your Questions About Transgender People, Gender Identity and Gender Expression", American Psychological Association, 2011
     http://www.apa.org/topics/sexuality/transgender.pdf

"Trans 101", The Pride Trainings, Brett Genny Beemyn
 http://www.rainbowheights.org/downloads/Rainbow%20Heights%20Club%20Trans%20101%20Handout%20for%20Distribution.pdf

"Ask Matt: What Are The Most Common Trans-Related Questions You Get?", Matt Kailey Transgender & Transsexual Issues, Information, and Opinion, Matt Kailey 2013
      http://tranifesto.com/2013/03/11/ask-matt-what-are-the-most-common-trans-related-questions-you-get/

Respect, Please

Seeing as it's Mother's Day, I didn't do any research or prepare any real blog for today. Instead, I think what I'll do is just write. I can be good at that from time to time. 

Here we are, in 2013, and there are still extreme prejudices against people who "deviate" from what society deems as "normal". But what is normal? Why do people still think that being gay is a "lifestyle" or that being "transgender" is a choice? There's a video that has gone viral on Facebook that has straight people trying to answer the question gay people have been asked since the moment they come out. "When did you choose to be gay?" I have yet to be asked "When did you choose to be transgender?"
I didn't CHOOSE to be anything. I was simply born as Megan but I never identified with that. Not all people, gay or trans, realize it at a young age. Not all come out when they do realize it. I didn't know what the word "transgender" meant until I was in high school. I just knew, growing up, that I wasn't what everyone expected of me. I will admit this, my mom gave me an amazing name. How many people can say that their initials are also their nickname and the first three letters of their first name. Meg is a common nickname for Megan. Megan Elizabeth Garner would be my previous name. Pretty cool, if you ask me.

Acceptance isn't something that is expected. Not for most people I know, anyway. You may not understand that I am not defined by what the medical community labels me as. I wasn't born with male anatomy, but I am a man. I don't expect you to accept me due to your lack of understanding. The only thing I do expect is respect. For my life, in my experience, I have not really experienced any disrespect.
I'll probably say this often in the more personal posts I make, but I have been very blessed to have a lot of support. One of the first people who started calling me Colby on a daily basis and using the male pronouns is still in my life. I love her to pieces, even if we don't talk on a daily basis. In every day conversation with other people, she was careful to not give away my "secret."
I have never been ashamed of who I am, but I haven't always been as open as I am now. If you couldn't tell (pre-name change) that I identified as male, I just figured you were blind. I came off as very tomboy-ish, which was fine to an extent. I've had a handful of people who knew upon meeting me that I didn't feel quite comfortable in my skin. When I trusted you, I told you. There were even a select few within that group who immediately started calling me Colby and using the masculine pronouns I had so longed to hear my whole life. 

I'm no braver than any average person. If I had been born into a male body, I would still be me, I would still be who I am. In my opinion. I've had other people tell me that I'm brave and a hero for embracing who I am and for being open and wanting to make a difference in the world. I humbly accept their compliment, even though I don't fully agree. I now understand why people just smile and quietly say "thank you" when I tell them they are beautiful. They may not agree, but they accept the compliment.
I am me. I happen to live in a world where I have to "come out" as a transgender person because it's not "normal" to be born into the wrong body. I've watched a lot of documentaries lately where parents are allowing their children to come out and are being supportive when their young son says he wants to be called Hanna instead of Harry. It's not always easy, I get that. I'm experiencing it with my own mother and friends. But the best thing you can do for anyone who is gay or transgender, or in any way "deviant" from society, is respect them. You may not understand who they are or the journey that lies ahead for them, but respect them. Make it easier by calling them their chosen name, use the correct pronouns and allow them to express their own individuality and character without trying to mold them into what society believes they should be accustomed to.

Resources:
"Watch These Straight People Answer A Question Gay People Have Been Asked For Years", Upworthy.com, Rebecca Eisenberg
     http://www.upworthy.com/watch-these-straight-people-answer-a-question-gay-people-have-been-asked-for-years-6?g=2

Consider it a First - A Transwoman Marries in Israel

I read an article a couple of nights ago about a transwoman who got married in Israel in January. She's a "blonde bombshell", and she is very proud of her end results. You don't hear much about trans people getting married. I assume this is because most people assimilate without much hoopla. They were married in a traditional Jewish ceremony. Her father didn't attend and his family doesn't "understand" his decision. 

What decision is that? To get married? That's the only decision he made here. He has three children from a previous relationship, so bringing her into their life (and vice versa) is a huge decision. But how is that any different than getting a divorce and re-marrying? I don't understand how marrying a trans person is any different than marrying a non-trans person. You meet, you flirt, you fall in love, you decide to get married the exact same way.

If this decision is so varied from what society deems as normal, what kind of future is in store for me when I get married? Is my mom going to support me? Yes, as long as she feels I'm with the right person. Will my fiancé's parents condemn our union? Who's to say. I hope that I find a woman who has a tolerant family. Who will judge me on my character and the way I treat their daughter/sister/whatever instead of the body I was born into.

I love the fact that she wanted to broadcast their wedding to the whole country. I doubt it would be a big deal here in America. I realize it was a big deal when a man got pregnant (remember the trans man who still had his female reproductive system? I'll link it up.) I love that she's also "a million percent certain" that she and her new husband will have kids! This lady has fulfilled almost everything she wanted. She got married, saying "it's not like it's only permissible for gays and lesbians to marry" because in America, even they can't marry!

What if it were the other way around? What if gays and lesbians were the only ones who could get married? Do you think that there would be such an issue with straight people getting married? I highly doubt it. But I can guarantee you, much like 53% of American people, gay and lesbian couples would support the marriage of straight couples. I asked a few of my straight, non-trans friends their opinion. Survey says: 5 of 5 people support gay marriage because it isn't a religious decision, it's a personal (civil) decision. Most people "support happiness" over denying anyone the right to follow their dreams. My favorite quote: "It's fucking ridiculous that gays can't get married and they deserve it more than most (straight) couples."

I had someone ask me if I'm gay. I was taken aback by this question because I've never seen myself as a girl, so I've never seen myself as a lesbian. I explained that my mindset and my identity aligns with being a male and I've never been truly attracted to guys so I'm not gay. Yeah, I find physical attributes of some men attractive, but I'd never hop into the sack with them and enjoy myself. I won't lie to being attracted to women. I want what most straight men want: a wife, kids, a mortgage, car payment, a dog or two, a man cave, and a job that pays the bills so I can provide for my family. You know what? That's what most people in the world want, regardless of their orientation.

Gay couples want what straight people want. Debt, love, happiness, friends, a place to call home, a job where they're respected and valued. Call me trans if you want, it doesn't bother me because you're acknowledging that I'm a man and that is very important. But I'm just a man, giving my heart and soul for Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.

REFERENCES:

A Transgender Wedding, For The First Time in Israel. The Times of Israel, Michael Shmulovich, 2013

     http://www.timesofisrael.com/a-transgender-wedding-for-the-first-time-in-israel/

'Pregnant Man' Gives Birth to Girl. ABC News, Russell Gordon, 2008

     http://abcnews.go.com/Health/story?id=5302756&page=1#.UYwkvFsjpGR

Here We Go: Separation of Church and State

I had the immense pleasure today to have dinner with a group of friends at our usual Thai restaurant. I won't say that I don't have Christian friends; I just simply don't talk to them on a frequent basis. Most friends I know aren't outwardly religious and none of my friends shove it down any body's throat. Maybe that's why I've been able to be friends with them for so long. As a result of my new found openness, I did ask what might be considered "the Christian of the group" what her view is on gay marriage. It took a moment, but after some clarifying questions and statements, we reached the conclusion that she believes the Bible can be "interpreted differently" and it's a "personal choice" on whom people want to marry.

We don't exclude anyone; our gay friend who grew up in Texas completely agreed with her. This lead to an extremely informative conversation with everyone at the table. Ironically, I heard at a youth group in high school that "you are who you hang out with" and I absolutely cherish the people I hang out with. We all shared little parts of our lives. The two gay men at the table (who are not dating each other) both commented on their dislike of all female anatomy. I was the only person at that table of eight who loves women. Clearly, I was the winner at dinner tonight. My other friends, all females, were honest about their love of male anatomy, save one of them. Our Christian.


As I've read more and more frequently, schools on the east coast are pushing for transgender protection. I'm on the fence about the locker and bathroom sharing because that would be an excellent place for a bully to corner a trans child and torture them. That is a great concern of mine and I'm not sure what would ease my concern. When I was in middle school, we had a girl play on the football team. She was good, too. She earned her keep on the team and, to the best of my knowledge, made history as the first female on the Cougars football team. This will be a provision in the new doctrine schools are to adapt.

But there are many Catholics who believe this doctrine is making "each person a god" by being honest about which gender they identify with.

I can't say I'm outraged, but I am disturbed by their claim. I am in no way a god. Now, I can lie to myself all I want and say I'm the most amazing man in bed, that my stamina rivals that of Hercules, but that in no way makes me "a god." This apparently "insidious" plan is apparently the complete demise of Christianity. Are you kidding me? Protecting our transgender children is going to be the ruin of Christianity? How is protecting ALL children in a middle school creating "hostility to basic truths" set forth by the church? Where is separation of Church and State?

Do you really expect me to believe that the Catholic church is being singled out here? That by creating an environment in New York schools where using the incorrect "pronouns and name ... [asking] inappropriate, unnecessary questions about [a child's] gender identity, anatomy, and / or any medical treatment that is related to their gender identity" falls under bullying is a bad idea? If I had half the protection in this idea when I was in middle school, my life would have bee SO much different. I may have come out much earlier, thus starting my transitioning before puberty set in as opposed to my early 20s. Listen here, ANYONE who is against this. NOBODY here is putting you in a corner. Nobody is challenging your religious views. If you don't approve, take your child to another school or to private school. If you want to rob them of getting to know a potentially amazing child who may change their life, that's on your head. Just remember, being transgendered is not a cross you have to bear. Don't make your child carry the cross of your judgment.


If being transgendered is so "immoral", explain to me how you justify your judgment. Doesn't the Bible SPECIFICALLY say in Luke 6:37 "Stop judging, and you'll never be judged. Stop condemning, and you'll never be condemned. Forgive, and you'll be forgiven." [International Standard Version ©2012] Based off your beliefs, you are allowed to judge a child? Is this also why there are so many claims of child abuse in the Catholic church? That's not something I'm going to touch. No pun intended.

Your argument is invalid, Catholicism. Being born a male who feels like he is a female does not mean they are denying any truth. In fact, most people will hide their feelings for years, if not decades. I watched a show where a man admitted 14 years into his marriage that he was more than a cross dresser, he was meant to be a woman. He was not saying that God made a mistake, because God is perfect, am I right? God makes no mistakes. That's something I firmly believe, as a self-proclaimed Spiritualist (not a fan of established religion and their hypocrisy), to be very true across the board. I am not a mistake. My mom is not a mistake. Pope Benedict said "man too is stripped of his dignity as a creature of God" if they deny God made them as He meant when they deny who they are. Let's think about this. I was born a female, but I am a man 100% in my mind. By denying my female body, I am denying God? No, I am not denying God, Pope, sir. I am embracing a very arduous road because I know the outcome will be far more in align with the plan God has for my life than if I do it myself, succumb to depression and possibly suicide.


This is a matter of civil rights being given to EVERY SINGLE AMERICAN. This is our FUTURE. Do you really want a child who was forced to deny themselves for the sake of one religious groups inability to cope to be responsible for your intolerance? The anger that these children may feel, the depression, the loneliness...did God intend for human beings to be so destitute? No, I sincerely believe He did not. Because your God, is my God.



References:
"Will 'Transgender' Rights Drive Catholics Out of Public Schools?". Catholic Stand, Mary Rice Hasson, 2013

      http://catholicstand.com/will-transgender-rights-drive-catholics-out-of-public-schools/


Bible Suite, Biblos, Luke 6:37

     http://bible.cc/luke/6-37.htm