Every opportunity … any situation

If I say Carmen Carrera, , Janet Mock, or Buck Angel, most folks around here will ask, “Who is that?”  Transgender persons are just not very well known here in central Kentucky.

Being the spouse of a transwoman, I want to do whatever I can at every possible opportunity and in any situation to bring up the subject of trans* persons.  I see it as Education Step 1: be willing to talk about the unique position I’m in.

On February 28, 2014, I had knee replacement surgery at a local hospital.  Whenever a new nurse or tech would come into the room I’d say ‘hello’ and make general small talk.  Then, I’d ask the question, “Are you familiar with transgender persons?”

Usually the answer would be, “Not really.”  So then I’d say, “Well, my spouse is transgender and will be here soon.”  Questions would always follow … which is wonderful, because then the education is taken to the next level where the ‘student’ learns based on their own interest … and questions is an indication of interest.

One of the first questions would usually be, “So was your spouse born a man or a woman.”  I love that question because I can say, “Actually she was born a woman with a man’s body and she prefers feminine pronouns like she or her.”  This was wonderful because when Alana did arrive the person I’d already had a conversation with would know how to address Alana properly because they had already been ‘educated’ as to the proper pronouns to use with a transwoman.

Of course, I kept a copy of each of our books (mine and Alana’s) on my little bedside hospital tray.  Several folks would pick them up and look at them and a few even said, “Now that I’ve met a transgender person I might need to buy these books to learn more.”

Yep, I take every opportunity and in any situation to EDUCATE … even if it is just one person at a time.

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