I started learning about being an advocate for Engendered Equality working to add a voice on the topic of Violence Against Women four weeks ago. As I have been learning my eyes have been opened to so much. But one of the things that has shocked me has been the continued violence towards all Women including Transwomen. But in my readings I came across a blog that listed about 100-150 people in the transgender community that have committed crimes against women. What the site did not talk about was the fact that many of these attackers were already committing crimes against women before their self-identified gender. To which this creator of the blog also tried to show that all Transpeople were violent sex offenders. Without data to back it all up.

This only showed to the naked eye that she could be right. BUT in a community of 2% of the world population 200 people sounds like a big number. Until you look at the numbers. Two percent might seem high but when you take into account not everyone is out, it is rather close to being correct. In comparison there is 2% of the world who are redheads. Give you an idea on this number is just 156,000,000 and growing. I am not really great at math but damn 150-200 is such a small percentage. Even if you gave a margin of error you would still not have 500. I don’t have the time to compare it to the number of those who are transgender vs the other 98% of the world population. See how stupid it would be to judge just on these numbers alone. Yes, there are monsters out there in all of the 100% of the world population collectively. But you cannot just judge one group right? Because if we did that the numbers of men who have committed crimes against women might, just shock you.

433,648 on average in the US per year (above the age of 12)

In Australia in 2019*
22,337

*Australia Bureau of Statistics [Link]

So look at those numbers again when you want to draw a line trying to connect the Transgender Community to Sex offenders. Those 200 people that person listed on that site were total not yearly. NOW look at those numbers again. Each year these numbers eb and flow but the average remains the same. While 200 is shameful it is NOT the same as thousands per year.

But this was not the reason for this post. I wanted to show you a flipped side of the coin of all the good Transwomen and Transmen are doing all over the world. It is about time we put a positive light on this subject. So lets kick this off with…

Janet Mock (writer, activist, author, and former staff editor of People magazine)
Laverne Cox (Actor, producer, advocate)
Chaz Bono (Actor, Singer, Activist)
Andreja Pejić (Model)
Wendy Carlos (Composer, musician)
Lana Wachowski (American filmmaker, producer, comic book writer, screenwriter, Director)
Kim Petras (Pop Singer)
Chelsea Manning (whistleblower of US war crimes)
Dorce Gamalama (Entertainer)
Laura Jane Grace (Musician)
Jin Xing (Ballerina)
Georgina Beyer (NZ politician)
Dr Kalki Subramaniam (artist, writer and entrepreneur)
Catherine Mcgregor (Author, TV Presenter, Cricket Commentator, Australian senior military officer, Speechwriter, Member of the Order of Australia)
Eddie Izzard (Write, Actor, Comedian, Athlete, Author, and Activist) (Phew what have you done lately)
Rebecca Allison (Cardiologist)

I am not going to give you an answer to everything. I would like you to take the time and have a look at this list that is ongoing [Link]. You might be shocked but I really only wanted to include those in the Transgender communities who are making a positive impact on society as a whole. I steered away from people like Caitlyn Jenner as I felt that they could not meet my personal list with “Positive Impact”. Just because there are monsters out there who might or might not be part of my community we are NOT all like those. No amount of scaremongering will dim the light of what these amazing people have done. You might even dare to ask what these people have done for you. A good amount of us have seen the Matrix movies and been entertained. Some of our freedoms have been secured by others. Your personal life could have been saved. Or even like myself who is an Advocate for Transgender Healthcare and an Advocate for Change (Violence against Women)(In Training). The list is huge of what some of these people have done. I would challenge you just to take the time and have a look at the list.

I had a plan to write something inspiring and uplifting but this was not my week at all. Infact, it was one of the hardest weeks in a long time. Though I am very blessed that I have been back down to a pain level of 5 for the whole week. The cane has had a bit of a rest and I have done a large amount of walking. I even had plans to start doing stairs again (exercise).

But the best laid plans of mice and… As you know we can plan all we want but life like to toss in a mixture of complications some are a welcomed surprise as others drain you of energy. Slowly step by step my youngest daughter is learning this very same thing as she heals. There is a sense of loss for her with not being able to do Jiu-Jitsu for a year. Though I must say her wounds are healing and the scars are looking amazing well healed. But we have had this wonderful time going to and from appointments. Where afterwards we enjoy some time having a lunch in town. Which is rather a nice time to just sit down and chat about how things are going for her. It is a very special bonding time with her. This week was rather rough of her she had to deal with the disappointment of her mother who she feels does not care about her. This took a lot of time to work with and in some ways her brothers are feeling the same thing. Which all I could do is just listen and offer suggestions based upon wisdom of the past. My daughter even called her oldest sister and was left with “Well you know that is mum and she is not going to change”. That was not the answer my youngest wanted to hear but it was what I expected would be said. I try my hardest to cut out my feelings on my ex when talking with my children. I want them to know that person based off of their own dealings with her.

My oldest son (at home) still wants more and more Jiu-Jitsu though knows he will never be supported by the other parent and is not at the point where he wants to make a stand to go without her help. He this week got a new GI for all of his efforts and dedication to the sport. We went with a black GI which he really looks sharp in it. I am glad to say that Hezekiah came with little drama this week. With the exception of wanting to use some wireless headphones of his sister.

I am taking the weekend off…

Hello all I know I wrote last week about not knowing much when it comes to violence towards women (I know what we all should know). But I did not write to much on how I felt from the moment I was asked to join this opportunity. If there is one thing I am at this moment in time and that is Humbled. I am surrounded by some amazing women in this class. I do not have permission to talk about them so I will pass on letting you know to much. I will end it with I am in awe of them.

One of the things that I have always been upset with as a Transwoman is when someone from my community is given and honor for just being. What I am meaning is when Caitlyn Jenner was given the woman of the year award. This really did leave a huge sour taste in my mouth due to the fact that I knew there was thousands who have done more and affected real change. The only reason she was given that award was for coming out and being famous. I felt like it should not have been done (I still feel that way). I thought that very issue concerning myself when I was asked to apply for this opportunity. Even on day one I felt that I did not belong there with these powerhouses of courage and then there was me. But then I started to think if not me then who? Who in my community would step up and be a voice? I did not hear about bunches of Transwomen applying for this chance. I then thought oh crap I am not polished enough for this opportunity. What if my rough edges are just too rough? I started to doubt my own reasons for applying and that of being asked to apply. There have been so many tears trying to come to terms with my role in this opportunity. But it hit me with an answer to all of my concerns last week when the yearly numbers of Transwomen killed in the world. Where is our voice? Why are our numbers not counted with other women each year that are killed. Could I really speak for those who have had their voices silenced? Do I dare to speak up?

YES I DO

I was concerned that my voice would be challenged by those who hold the idea of Transgender Exclusion. The more I thought of that happening the more I was able to link those actions towards violence directed at women in general. Today’s class we started to look at our talking points. I have a problem with Domestic Violence it has been in my families lives from day dot and now I am a focal point for it as I am Transgender. So I wrote the following as my points.
1) There is no excuse for abuse.
2) We must hold those who commit violence towards women accountable. (Mandatory Sentencing for those commit these crimes.)
3) We must encourage women to have as much education as possible, it lifts families
4) Recognition of Equality lifts society as a whole it is also key to prevention.

Prove me wrong I dare you. Prove my voice does not matter? Prove me wrong that the voices of Transwomen support all women around the world. Even if you think you can, your wrong.

As a person who tends to say what I think. I need to make clear that my choice to be 100% honest and up front with everything and everyone yields results that I am not always ready for. Yes there are times in my life that this has caused problems for me. But in saying that at least people know what they are getting when they deal with me on a daily basis. For good or bad I am me.

I know that I might suggest that everyone takes the same approach to life. BUt this can be very difficult and even at times very unwise. Case in point, one of my children calls the other parent a “Gold Digger” on a regular basis. Their reasons for this are sound and they feel they have enough evidence to back up this statement. We have had conversations on keeping our opinions to ourselves when it directly involves another person. The reason for that is saying such a thing to a person might trigger a response and an action that my child is not ready for.

We see a lot of the time about children and some adults telling others about their LGBT+ status. I am somewhat of the mindset that by doing so they place themselves at an unacceptable risk. We have seen and read about it over the years where a child tells the parent that they are Gay or whatever. Then that parent kicks the child out or even worse violence ensues. Certain times we must measure our choices with possible outcomes and the risks that are associated with them. I have lost contracts as a project manager when I have spoken the truth without thinking of the risks of that truth. Okay I called a major shareholder an idiot for their thoughts on a given subject. It was the truth and the person had no concept on what they were talking about. Everyone in the room appeared to be thinking it. I just happened to be the person that said it. But the rule applies the person with the gold makes the rules. You don’t have to like that rule you just need to understand that it is real and people use it all the time. I know as a parent I have said “It is my house and my rules.” once again the rule of the gold.

Was my hard line needed for that point, yes. Because a child wanted to take something to the other parents house and I knew it would never return. As in the past this has happened and it hurt the child when the other parents actions would not allow it to return. Did the child think on the same lines of thoughts no. The same can be said when we look at talking about being a member of the LGBT+ community. You need to be 100% sure you are safe. That your future is planned to a point where telling that Truth about you can be done safely. If that means waiting until you are out of your parents house with an education. Then be smart and do it that way. I also know that being transgender at times is very difficult if you have dysphoria. But there are ways to approach these topics as well. None of them are just blurting it out. I learned the hard way one that as it lead to violence from the parent I told.

So to wrap it all up be smart in using the complete honesty idea. Sometimes being upfront and pulling no punches approach is not a wise choice. You can still be 100% honest but be smart about when you do it. Don’t just blurt out “Are you and idiot?” that does not always go down well. To this day that guy still hates me. I was in the wrong that day for what I said and how I said it. It all boils down to choice and the timing of what we say.

Over the next few weeks I am going to be focusing on Violence Towards Women. There are number of things that needs to be said before I continue with this focus. First that I know and understand that not all violence towards women is done by men. Sadly though a majority is. Next we need to understand that there MUST be an understanding that there is NO EXCUSE FOR ABUSE in any form towards anyone. I will be focusing on Transwomen as well as those who are Intersexed. Both of these groups receive large amounts of hidden violence directed towards them that is excused away due to the misunderstanding of both communities. Please take the time and read through all the stories and follow the links. I know that it is going to be a learn point for all who do.

Thank you

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2020/nov/08/you-feel-like-youre-getting-your-power-back-how-martial-arts-helps-recovery-from-trauma

I am proud to call Claire a close friend.

I have always been a person who believed in random acts of kindness. It started so many years ago when I saw the power of this in things that I do. One of the reasons I am talking about this is that I would like others to enjoy the blessings of putting it in their lives.

I believe that the good deeds that you do return to you tenfold. They do not happen on our timelines but those of the universe. The more kindness we show the more frequently they are returned. Friday I was a bit sad as my children went for a visit with my ex partner. As I walked away from the bus stop the rain began to lightly fall. As I waited by the traffic light a gentleman stood beside me and I moved my umbrella to cover both of us. While this was a small act of kindness he noticed and said thank you. That for me was more than enough, but we both enjoyed the wonderful rain as we waited. I had some time on my hands and so I went to go get some onion rings. This is my favorite place to do this, they know me as a regular. But this time was different they asked about how Niamh and her surgery went. We had a wonderful chat as I waited for my onion rings. As I walked out the door I noticed a small message on my box of onion rings (this was not normal).

while this event might seem so small in the grand scheme of things. It was what I needed at that moment in time. Some might say that is a fluke and someone is just being nice. In my life it happens so much that I must say it is a payback.

Niamh was feeling a bit down after the surgery as the other parent was not there during or afterwards. But just then someone walked by and gave her a Dinosaur. They did not have to do this but I know my children also work hard on random acts of kindness. So this was a direct payback for her actions.

I knew that as I was getting on the bus to go home a mum and her baby needed to get on before me even though I was ahead of them in the line. I let them go ahead of me. Another small act of kindness, did it cost me anything, never. Do I expect anything in return? No then it is not out of kindness if I expected something.

The more kindness we show towards others it does come back. Sometimes in other simple acts of kindness. Sometimes in grand events like a Dinosaur. What can you do? Give it a try.

Sometimes it is nice to sit back and reflect on what has been going on in your life. Not all things in our lives can be classed as good or bad. Some just are there and we must learn from them. It might be hard to fully understand that until you are faced with it, it does happen.

If you have not known my children play sports but not just and sport but one that places them only against themselves. Jiu-Jitsu, we started on this journey a number of years ago. The reason for this was my daughter needed to regain her inner strength after being assaulted. If you don’t know or have been blind to the fact that most assaults done to women are done by MEN. Don’t get me wrong I am not here to be a man hater. But I want you to know just what this act of violence did to one young life. It changed a 6 year old child to a point she had to learn to be a child at heart even while battling demons that resided inside after the attack. That is where Jiu-Jitsu stepped in and elevated her back into an ability to be a strong young lady with a bright future.

Then my daughter had to learn about emotional intelligence during one of the hardest parts of her life Puberty. Yup you know that thing that does not care who you are it is going to be a part of your life. It does not even care if you like it. We started to use the phrase “You control the emotions and not let the emotions control you.” This was due to the fact that during puberty we can sometimes allow our emotions to be that Train at the end of the tunnel of puberty and not the end of the tunnel. But shit happens…

We have also watched my young daughter have a sport she loved placed on hold or forever to be changed in the way it impacts her life. You see this year 2020 has been one of the biggest roller coaster rides for so many in the world. This also is the year that my daughter had an injury that is going to take her on a journey that will change all sports in her life. Her ACL detached from one side of its connections with a break. If you did not know that the issue of a broken bones comes with the reality that we are MORTAL. That we cannot leap over tall buildings, but add that in with the issue of youth and puberty it can be one hell of a roller coaster ride. Then we add on top of that a problem with the coaster itself in the issue of a poor relationship with her other parent to the point that instead of supporting her in Jiu-Jitsu they celebrated the loss of the ability of being able to participate in it just before the surgery to repair the physical damage. That shit is fucked and I saw what an emotional blow it did.

Now let us take a look at emotional intelligence with the above. For many of us we would see that as an overwhelming set of events for a 12 year old child. Some of those events in a person’s life can result in a damage that never goes away unless we unpack that shit and learn from it in a way we can grow. So, how does one grow from so many events at one time? It is a bit like looking at eating an Elephant. Which means we can only do it one bite at a time. In sports injuries happen and what most of them will change our love for that sport or it proves to us what that sport meant to us. Then we can either walk away from it or change in how we interact with it. It is a part of a process that will take us to understand that it is both Physical as well as a Mental game that we must overcome to grow. This process can be done in many different ways all of them require a person to face the reality of loss, then what do I do now. It will take time could even be years. But a warrior never gives up when they are knocked down. Change, adapt, and then overcome we will have a journey.

How does one combat that other issue of the mental side of the loss. We, I have watched my daughter overcome so many things after that assault. What needs to be done is to find a pillar of strength. Then grab ahold of it and allow that pillar to just be as we grow. This will mean talking out the disappointment of the complex emotions. Because bottling up the emotions will cause them to boil over and then blow up. To the side is some contacts if you are in Australia to start the first step in mental recovery process. One of the things we need to understand is that some people can be assholes when we are faced with a loss no matter what that loss is. But how we react to that proves our metal as a warrior uses armor.

WHERE will this journey take us? Well that is something that the use of emotional intelligence will provide for us bite by bite. We stand, we take an account of what is important to us and go after it. We rely on those who are there for us and are our pillars of strength. For in the darkest of times those are the best people to know as they will reach out the hand to help us up while not standing for us. We all need to grow and the hardest part of any journey is the first step. So wipe away the tears dust ourselves off and walk. I saw this today as my daughter took her first steps after her surgery. She did not worry about it what she did was to swing the legs over the side of the bed learn to use crutches and place one foot in front of the other and walk. Because we all need to use the bathroom what a great point of freedom is the toilet.

As a pillar that my child can rely on in any form of weather I am always amazed at the growth of my little warrior. Bruised and with a few scars she stands. Stronger, determined, and charged with renewed energy to do it again. This is the reward of emotional intelligence. The fact that you can do it because you have done it before.

I really do wish each and every person who reads this the blessing of the warrior who stands back up and can say “FUCK YOU I AM STRONGER THAN YOU GIVE ME CREDIT FOR!”

Without EDUCATION we are DOOMED to live in IGNORANCE.

Read the above line once more…

Here we go time to jump into the Rabbit hole.

Why do we use the term Transgender and Transexual (old term) for those who identify differently from the gender that they were born with?

In Biological Chemistry the Term “Trans” means “The trans- prefix is from the Latin meaning “across”.” [Link] [Link] By using it in the form of a prefix we would use it in the same way as we would say Transformation. But in the case of the case of Transgender we are looking at it in a way of Trans meaning across Gender. Which is that links a person who is across from the gender that they were born with.
When we look at the term used with Transwoman it creates a double negative meaning that it is a positive. This is because the person who is Transgender is across from their birth gender. But now identifies as a different gender continuing with the term Trans and then we attach the identifying Gender Marker (woman) or (man).
To the Transgender community these markers are acceptable as they tell a story that is listed above and are not used in a derogatory manner.

What is the use of the term CIS when referring to someone’s gender?

The use of CIS is also part of Chemistry and it means “The cis- prefix is from the Latin meaning “on this side”.” [Link] [Link] As we can see that the use of this term separates those who do not identify differently from the gender that was assigned at birth. Such is the case of CIS-male or CIS-female. While usage of these terms should not be used in a derogatory manner.

Both Trans and Cis should not be used as conversational identifiers. For example that Cis-Woman drove her car into the bus or the Cis-man is drove his car into the bus. We should also not use the Transwoman is using that bathroom. Both usages are improper thus creating a sense of negativity. Remember it is up to you to use these terms correctly and to make a stand for a better understanding of science. With understanding one another we will build a better world.