Transgenders……

I tend to get a little too caught up in my homework at times, This is from a discussion I had to partake of, thought I'd share some to enlighten & show how I like to stir conversations(aka. drive ppl cray-cray):

In chapter 10, Transgender Identity is discussed, this is found throughout pages 388-393. I found it interesting how difficult it is to estimate accurately the percentage of transgender people because so many keep their true gender identity hidden, which totally makes sense. I have a friend that started out as one of my clients, I sensed he struggled with something yet, couldn't quite figure out what it was exactly. He had a hard time being himself around other people. Over the years I got to know him more and I assumed he was a cross dresser. As time progressed I realized he was a transvestite, until he told me he was saving up to have a sex reassignment surgery. This month he is changing his gender and will no longer be a male, yet a female. So, yes I personally know a transgender. This section stood out to me because I personally saw my friend suppress his true gender identity and attempt to conform to society's expected gender-appropriate behavior as the best he could(like pages 389 pointed out). I, like most people in this town, assumed he was confused and thought it could be gender dysphoria(confused, anxious, or depressed about gender identity). This is a real struggle for some people, unfortunately people can be so cruel towards a transexual, my philosophy has always been: "who am I to judge?" It saddens me how hard it has been for my friend, as a small child his parents always found him dressing in his sisters clothes. Unfortunately, South Carolina(aka the Bible belt), is no place to live for a transsexual. The majority of people that label themselves Christians here don't live and love like Jesus did, they judge, stare, make fun of, and say "I'll pray for them," or "God can fix that." Treating EVERYONE(no matter what they've done or are going through) with respect is a start to sharing the gospel. Screaming and telling people they are wrong for feeling their emotions is hypocritical. Jesus walked with the lost and didn't point fingers, he reached out to the whores and tax collectors, there are far too many of us that think we are better than others because we go to church or don't struggle with a specific sin. OOPS! Did I say too much? Both of these chapters hit a soft & painful spot for me, maybe we were brought up to believe that something like abortion is wrong or heterosexuality is the only way to live, it doesn't justify acting out in hate or ignorance towards those that do it. For those that I pissed off, go read your Bible…..its full of stories from crooks, murderers, sluts, and people that screwed up, that's why Jesus was sent- to save us. I, for one am certainly glad he did. I'm not saying whether any of the above is right or wrong, I'm just saying if your human, your flawed.