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Me being out.
Oct. 11th, 2012 07:32 pmToday, October 11, is National Coming Out Day.
I want to preface what I write here with a simple, vital statement: coming or being out is a decision each individual must be given the freedom to make for themselves, and the choice or need to not be out on the part of a given individual must be respected. Additionally, when you do know about someone’s history, please be circumspect about discussing it, as they may have environments in which they are not comfortable having such discussions, and they may have areas of their life in which they are not out.
A fact of my life that I haven’t kept remotely hidden is that I am lesbian. I am out about that in all parts of my life.
Only somewhat less known is that I am a transgender person, specifically a trans woman, which has been a lengthy, sometimes painful, and overall rewarding path in my life. On a note of usage: “trans” is an adjective, requiring a noun to modify. There are parts of my life where I am not out about this. I am intentionally not out at work due to the price I can reasonably expect that being out would bring - I know someone who was because they transitioned while employed there and were subject to some poor treatment, such as being required to use facilities inconsistent with their gender.
I have endured a great deal to get where I am, including things some of you probably can’t imagine: I was threatened with being involuntarily committed, had medical and mental health professionals attempting to enforce gender stereotypes on me, i.e. that women musn’t ride motorcycles or must wear skirts and heels, and lost family. However, I have gained so very much more, including a fantastic amount of professional success.
I am also poly, but am in a monogamous relationship so that aspect is largely academic.
I want to preface what I write here with a simple, vital statement: coming or being out is a decision each individual must be given the freedom to make for themselves, and the choice or need to not be out on the part of a given individual must be respected. Additionally, when you do know about someone’s history, please be circumspect about discussing it, as they may have environments in which they are not comfortable having such discussions, and they may have areas of their life in which they are not out.
A fact of my life that I haven’t kept remotely hidden is that I am lesbian. I am out about that in all parts of my life.
Only somewhat less known is that I am a transgender person, specifically a trans woman, which has been a lengthy, sometimes painful, and overall rewarding path in my life. On a note of usage: “trans” is an adjective, requiring a noun to modify. There are parts of my life where I am not out about this. I am intentionally not out at work due to the price I can reasonably expect that being out would bring - I know someone who was because they transitioned while employed there and were subject to some poor treatment, such as being required to use facilities inconsistent with their gender.
I have endured a great deal to get where I am, including things some of you probably can’t imagine: I was threatened with being involuntarily committed, had medical and mental health professionals attempting to enforce gender stereotypes on me, i.e. that women musn’t ride motorcycles or must wear skirts and heels, and lost family. However, I have gained so very much more, including a fantastic amount of professional success.
I am also poly, but am in a monogamous relationship so that aspect is largely academic.
