Aim High TransPinay...

I have a lot of transgender friends. Yes, they dress, act, and speak like a real woman does. Most of them are even prettier than REAL girls, with emphasis on the word REAL. Defining what a transgender is, they are people people who are biologically born as males but emotionally and psychologically thinks that they are females, and vice versa. When they surgically changed their genitals, they are now called transexuals. Also, Gays and lesbians are different from transgenders. So many terms and but the bottom line is they are girls or boys trapped in an opposite genders' body. For more enlightenment, click on this link: LGBT Terms & Definitions.

How do we deal and be friends with them? Here are some of my personal tips based on my experiences with my transgender friends. We should acknowledge them by using the right pronouns in any conversation. Use SHE and HER and not HE, HIS, or HIM when referring to a male transgender. Also, call them by their preferred names and not with what is written in their birth certificates. If Paulo wants you to call HER Paula, don't dare call HER Paulo, otherwise, you'll receive a slap on your face. Never mention that SHE has male attributes. Please do not tell HER that SHE has an Adam's apple or she doesn't have any boobies, this might lessen HER self confidence. Maker HER realize that SHE is beautiful. We should treat them like real women with proper courtesy. Finally, when you are with transgender people, you should have deeper understanding and acceptance of who they are. I enjoy being with my transgender friends. Although they differ in identities. Some of them are very sophisticated and have deep personalities. But there are also those who keeps me laughing and I have no dull moments when they are around.

Presenting Dhel, obviously she's the one in the picture. She's one of my closest friends in our organization. Sobrang dami niyang insights about being a transgender. There are times na kapag nag-uusap kami eh bigla na lang niyang sasabihin na "ang ganda ganda ko noh". Hehehe. She definitely is. Isa sa mga natutunan ko sa kanya is "if you want to be respected, show them that you should be respected". Well, ang gusto niyang sabihin eh kung transgender ka, wag mong ipakita sa mundo na kabastos bastos ka. Bakla ka na nga eh. Siya kasi, kapag nanamit, sobrang simple. Hindi yung naka mini-skirt and kita pati kaluluwa. No matter how beautiful you are, if you won't act accordingly, pagiging tampulan ka talaga ng discrimination.

Some of the transgenders are actively fighting for LGBT rights in our country. Just like Ate Pau and Ate Sass who are both members of Ang Ladlad LGBT Party. Kapag nagsama ang dalawang ate ko na yan, super kwela ng tandem. There is also an organization which focuses on the needs of the Filipina transgenders and that is STRAP or the Society of Transsexual Women of the Philippines. Click on the links for more information about Ang Ladlad and STRAP.

One of the most obvious scenario in the LGBT community is the war between Transgenders and Discreet Gays/ Bisexuals. Kapag nakakakita ang mga discreet kuno ng mga transgender, ang reaction kaagad eh "Yuck EFFEM", however, kapag nakakita naman ang mga transgender ng mga padiscreet, bigla silang babahing ng malakas sabay sabi ng "PAMINTA!". Hopefully, mahinto na sana ang mga ganitong bangayan. Iisang komunidad lang po tayo, whether you're discreet, transgender, or kahit kalahating paminta at binabae, lahat tayo'y kapwa nakakaramdam ng hindi wastong pagtanggap ng lipunan...

Posted in: LGBT,Personal,Transgender