[theoddz]

I'm going to throw my couple of coins in to say something about what I PERSONALLY have heard/experienced on the acceptance issue of gay vs. trans point.

I have been told by more than one coworker/acquaintance that they could more readily accept the trans person than they could the homosexual person. One person who actually said this to me (yep, to my face, bless 'em!!) was of the "very religious" sort.....read "Bible Thumper". Both of these 2 people who told me this on 2 separate occasions, knew me prior to my gender transition, and I've noticed a definite difference in the way they treat me now, since my outward appearance and presence is now irrefutably male.

I did ask one of these people why that was and she (my religious coworker, whom I am also good friends with) told me that her interpretation/beliefs of Biblical scripture specifically condemn homosexuality, but she could, however, "wrap her mind around" transexualism because she didn't view that "disorder" as a "choice". She looks at it as a "birth defect" and "correctable" by medical means. Homosexuality, on the other hand, IN HER MIND, was something "a person could choose to change". I think that what she was probably insinuating, was that transexualism was not a "choice", but homosexuality was. I truly adore my coworker, but I soooooo disagreed with her on sooooo many levels. Her attitudes go waaaay back to her upbringing and her religious background (7th Day Adventist), and that issue is very complicated and contradictory, because she has had a horribly difficult life. She has always accepted me, even before my transition, and she is one of the kindest people I've ever met in my life. I think she is gradually changing some of her views, simply from the fact that she has known me and she and I have worked together and been friends before, during and after my transition. I guess we're all continuously learning and that's what gives me hope.

The other person/acquaintance who said, in so many words, the same thing to me about more easily accepting transexualism better than homosexuality is an ass, period. I don't waste my time trying to explain anything to them about this or any other thing, as a matter of fact.

Just my .02 on that.

~Theo~