Posts tagged acceptance in the transgender community

Boston, MA—The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is announcing the release of three new videos as part of their multi-media public education campaign entitled I AM: Trans People Speak.

MTPC launched the groundbreaking I AM: Trans People Speak project in conjunction with Transgender Awareness Week in November. I AM: Trans People Speak is a collection of recorded stories that aims to challenge stereotypes and misconceptions of transgender individuals by highlighting the realities of their lived experience. These voices span across a diversity of communities and intersecting identities. I AM: Trans People Speak fosters support and raises awareness for transgender communities by providing a forum where these unique stories can be shared and given significance.

Each of the three videos shares the common thread of working toward acceptance and understanding through communication, perseverance, and love. These stories, each one an engaging personal or familial journey, highlight the importance of supportive and caring friends, family, and communities members for transgender youth and adults.

One newly premiered video features Sandra, a researcher, Unitarian Universalist, contra dancer, and parent of a transgender son. When Sandra’s son came out, her immediate response was that she wanted him to lead a happy life, trusting that her love would aid in supporting her son. While supportive community members at her church provide a source of strength for her family, Sandra acknowledges that not all communities are as open-minded, encouraging a model in which we continually work toward loving not only ourselves but also others around us that may be different. Ending with a smile, Sandra hopes that the world will appreciate her bright, caring, and talented son.

Another new video focuses on Alex, a proud single parent, clinical psychologist, attorney, and social justice organizer. Having not fit into his assigned gender at birth, Alex has lived his life in multiple contexts having been boxed into different identities that others have forced upon him. Alex has also faced difficulties in the professional field, noting that discrimination has prohibited him from reaching his full potential despite his experience and credentials. However, Alex remarks that having lived his life in many different identities imparts a unique perspective and richness that allows him to interact and react in the world in a way most others could not.

The last new video to premier on the I AM: Trans People Speak website is a two-person video with parents, David and Jean, both educators and residents of Hingham. When David and Jean’s son came out to them, David initially found it difficult, however he soon realized that his son was still the same wonderful and capable person he raised from birth. Both parents relay with appreciation that their son was about to share this significant event with them, allowing the entire family to share this journey instead of being shut out of their son’s life. They note that nothing has really changed, aside from familial bonds being strengthened now that their son has the chance to lead a more happy and fulfilling life.

All three new videos were filmed and edited by Jesse Begenyi, a Boston filmmaker. Begenyi and MTPC plan on uploading new videos to the website periodically and are always looking for participants.

For more information please visit www.transpeoplespeak.org or direct questions to info@transpeoplespeak.org

About MTPC: The Massachusetts Transgender Political Coalition (MTPC) is dedicated to ending discrimination on the basis of gender identity and gender expression. MTPC works for a world where persons of all genders are treated with respect and fully participate in all areas of society, free from fear of prohibition, harassment or violence based on their gender identity and/or expression.  Its members educate the public, advocate with state, local, and federal government, engage in political activism, and encourage empowerment of community members through collective action.