Thinking Trans

This week is a special week as it is important to remember those Trans people that have sadly taken their lives due to the difficulties they have faced.  In my own experience I find that people have one of three responses to being told I am Trans. 

1. Cut all contact from you and no longer consider you a friend

2. Are a little surprised but continue to talk to you

3. Ask why you were scared to tell them

In all honesty the third one is the hardest one to deal with as people are surprised that it has taken so long to tell them.  As much as the support is appreciated it is hard to tell someone and is scary as you never know which of the reactions you are going to get and if the person is important to you in your life the one thing you do not want to do is lose them.  

For the people that we are remembering, life became so hard for them that they had to take what they felt was the only solution, we as a society should be supporting them more and figuring out together how to help them.  Another thought is that the majority of people assume that it is male to female transitioning, which is only one scenario – in the Trans community there are female to male, and non-binary transitioning people too. 

Many people in the Trans community know someone who has taken their life due to the issues that being Trans can have.  Alongside the stress that going through this major life change,  there is also the stigma of being ‘different or unusual’. With support in place a person can get through this however many people feel they cannot ask for help, or don’t know where to access advice and support. 

Bullying at school or work or just walking along the street can be the final straw for someone and we have to remember to be aware of our friends and help them when we can.   Someone to talk to might be all a person in need requires so please remember and offer that ear.  

November is an important time for remembrance be it for fallen soldiers on Remembrance Day or for our Trans friends in the community on Trans Awareness Week.  We should keep those who have suffered, and who continue to suffer in our thoughts and prayers and do as much as we can as individuals and organisations to help.