Why are people in Britain so hostile to Transsexuals like myself. and how can we change this?

Question

I have recently had problems with local children, none of who know me, which does not stop them being abusive
A friend of mine, who works for a major supermarket, suffers constant abuse and receives little effective suppurt from her colleages.
Another has been refused funding for facial hair removal, an essential if she is to transit effectively..
.

Answer 1

I've found that a lot depends on your attitude; if you appear defensive or confrontational, you'll get more abuse. If you're polite, calm and good-humoured, people will usually respond the same way (I'm NOT suggesting that you, or your friends, are defensive or confrontational; it's just my personal observation).

But in general; some children will ALWAYS poke fun at anyone who is different; they want to see you get upset. If you ignore their jibes and catcalls, and don't behave aggressively toward them they'll get bored and move on.

Adults are a different matter. If you are receiving abuse from anyone because you are transsexual, that person is breaking the law; if you are seriously offended, report it to the Police. Almost all police forces in Britain now take a serious view of transphobic attacks, even if they're only verbal attacks.
In the workplace, you also have the same rights as anyone else; if a colleague is harassing you, report it to your manager or HR department; if they don't take it seriously, go to your Union representative. The TUC, and all member unions, DO take it seriously.

As for the funding; unless you have a very progressive PCT, that's a lost cause. Most PCTs will fund hormone prescription and surgery only; some will fund speech therapy, but not many.
I don't personally know ANY transwoman who has succeeded in gaining funding for hair removal (although I have heard of one or two who successfully campaigned for it); it's unfair and discriminatory, but that's the way it is.

Answer 2

I was not aware that people in general were hostile but you will of course always get some nasty or ignorant people as we know from some of the answers on this forum. I am not sure about funding for you facial hair removal. The few post transsexuals I do know seem happy to pay for that and I believe you can pay for each treatment as it is done.

Answer 3

"How can we change this attitude?" Seems to be your main question.
By 'we' I assume you mean your transsexual society?
With the exception of a very few answers you have received a great deal of sympathy. So if that's what you were looking for, congratulations!
However I am not here to offer any sympathy but just to give my honest opinion, I am not a kid, far from it, just an ordinary sort of feller.
I can muster up sympathy about mans inhumanity to man when it comes to the question of abuse to immigrant's or even religious prejudice! And I am anti religion!!
OK, so let me get down to the 'nitty gritty' of my attitude towards your ilk.
This is it in a nut shell!
Part of your question refers to some one you know who was refused 'funding' to have facial hair removed!!! Do you really think I should pay for your friend to have his facial hair removed?? I almost got carried away there, but I had a couple more large vodkas and I'm OK now!!
When I first moved to the area I am now living I used to chat with a 'feller' 'he' and I had a few little laughs together, but I hardly knew him really , he introduced 'himself' as Bill! He disappeared for many weeks and then reappeared , long blond hair make up walking and prancing about like a female 'he' had grown boobs, but there was no mistaking it was Bill!
I thought it a bit strange to say the least, I said "Hi Bill"!!
He said "my name is now Fiona"!!
I wont go into the details of my reply but they were not of any sort of congratulations.
I feel the same way about Homosexual male or female, to see a couple of fellers walking along holding hands or a female coming all over as butch gets right up my nose!!
What can you do to stop this ? For me, nothing at all I'm too far gone!
For kids? I have honestly tried to think of a solution but I cant you have a lot of problems , no matter what the schools may teach them you have to contend with religious bigots and if they are not enough you also have bigots such as myself who will tell kids the school is telling them a load of cr*p!
I do realise that this answer is not a lot of help, but it is the way I feel.

Answer 4

In a word - ignorance.

People who are broke, short, fat, disabled & many many more (unfortunatly) groups of people with a 'difference' all suffer this treatment at some point in their lives & what makes it worse is that these narrow minded, intollerant, ignorant gits drive people to dispare & they can end with tragic consiquences but the bullies (because that's what they are) aren't made to realise that it was all down to them.

Be there to support your friends, hope they'll support you & mentally stick 2 fingers up to them.

You're a lot better than them so don't let them get to you or lower your standards in any way to get your own back.

Answer 5

You are mixing in the wrong circles. You are a in small pocket of the UK please don't brand the whole country.

I have had no problems and am very happy. There are laws about bullying in the work place. If you are worried about your friend, find a law firm to take this up for them.

If your friend waits and saves they may fund their own facial hair removal. I am sorry to be blunt but I hate to hear this "ever one is being mean attitude" it gives us TS a bad name. Stand up and be proud and you don't become a victim

Answer 6

Unfortunately there are alot of small minded people around chances are these children are following in their parents beliefs of what is "normal".
I think they should teach in schools from a suitable age as part of the curriculum about LGBT then maybe they won't grow up to be so small minded.

Answer 7

I dont know really, I guess it will always be the same, until people get older and realise that everybody is someone that has emotions.

There are some teenagers near me that regulary bag a male - Female transexual.

I regualry smile and chat to her.

Hell id even sleep with a sexy transexual.

Answer 8

Leah is a hundred% outstanding. while i grew to become into 5 years previous, I mentioned for the 1st time, that i grew to become right into a woman and not a boy. I mentioned it often to my father and mom and to Psychiatrists who could in simple terms no longer have faith me till i grew to become into twelve. while i attempted to devote suicide, a Psychiatrist finally clinically determined me with having an extremely profound gender dysphoria this is brought about via getting transsexualism. in simple terms in the previous I grew to become 13, i grew to become into placed on GnRh inhibitors and anti androgens those end the end results of testosterone and end puberty. Then while i grew to become into sixteen in accordance to the factors of care (soc) the inhibitors have been stopped, and that i all started taking estrogen. I then began to journey lady puberty the way I might desire to have while i grew to become into 4 years youthful. And sure as quickly as a toddler who has been clinically determined with transsexualism, and has accompanied the primary of care might desire to be allowed to transition. interior the U. S. the minimum age that intercourse Reassignment surgical operation (SRS) may well be accomplished is 18. notwithstanding if in some international locations, the criminal age is sixteen to have SRS.

Answer 9

The British seem ignorant towards a lot of things. Be as you are, sod the rest. If you're not a stereotype then you don't fit in and you're not 'normal.' What exactly IS normal? This country is far too stiff.

Answer 10

i live in Brighton where there are many, and while i must admit that i always find transexuals look a little unusual, i wouldnt dream of abusing one. Its their choice and their life, good luck to em!

If anybody stands out in any way, they are always likely to get abuse, ginger, fat, big nose, skinny, hairy, unusually tall, short etc will always give some people a reason to comment adveresly. Ive a friend who has a hunched back, unbelievably people abuse him on occasion.