Reply #3: Thanks to all posters to this thread. [View All]

[gvstn]

As a gay man it has taken me till my (early!) 40's to truly appreciate the realities of transgender issues. I always was a bit put off my men who wanted to dress like women let alone those that wanted to change genders. I always put it in that category of they are just confused and can't admit they are gay. I was of course wrong and looking at things through my own prism and that of my generation.

I think the movie Transamerica was the first film that really gave me an appreciation of what it meant to be transgendered. I rented the film hoping Kevin Zegers would get naked but found Felicity Huffman as the character Bree so compelling. I hope this movie isn't an insult to transgendered people because it really did change my mind. For many years I just had an aversion to even drag queen type shows let alone guys that were compelled to make more permanent changes. Those feelings don't exist any more for me and I think it would be a great day when everyone feels the same. I don't understand exactly what about that movie enlightened me but it did.

I am so happy to see transgendered and loved ones of transgendered people being brave and standing up for themselves.

After hearing Rep. Steve King's comments about gays needing to hide their identities to remain employed; I can imagine how terrible transgendered people must feel.