The Changing Family

        The definition of what it means to be American family has been changing for years now with traditionalists fighting to keep it the same, the reality is, not every household has female and male parental units with 2.5 kids, a white picket fence and pet. Redefining what it actually means to be a family would be so beneficial to bring what real families look like to life. Families outside of the traditionalist box will be able to rejoice their family unit structure. There are many ways families differ from the norm and having a trans* family member is just one area. Many families struggle themselves to except their trans* family member on top of receiving discrimination from the outside world that treats our families different making the transition isolating and challenging.

         Families in general, struggle with divorce, role overload, violence, abuse, and neglect and having trans* family member usually only makes matters worse. Sometimes parents disagree among themselves about whether to support their children in their decision to transition leading to separation or divorce. Some parents find it very hard to support their trans* children and turn to violence or neglect. Many trans* individuals end up on the streets because of this factor, and as mention in the previous post living on the streets while being trans* is twice as hard. With a hostile family situations trans* youth often do not get the support they need. Getting support from family and friends is one of the biggest concerns for a trans* person, coming out is very anxiety provoking and leading a so called secret life is just as hard.

         There are many resources for families with trans* members on how to provide support or help families through the time of transition, so families can stay whole and go avoid going down a road of violence, abuse, and neglect. After all most parents fear transition because they don’t want to loose their child, well pushing your child away because of who they are will not keep them in your family. Extended family is an area with a lot of tension, in most cases not everyone in the family will not accept your trans* family member and overcoming that hurdle together as a family is very testing.

Here’s a link to a nightline episode with a family going through a transition

http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/jackie-transgender-kids-gender-identification-primetime-nightline-14425323

* denotes transgender, transsexual and gender nonconforming

Identities

Having transgender and intersex included in the LGBTQIA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual and ally) community is a positive. Most trans people spend some amount of time in their life finding their gender identity and end up in the LGB community, because they identify as one of the letters at some point. The LGBTQIA community is a great way to create a collective identity, to eliminate the isolation, alienation and inequality trans people and others in the LGBQIA community feel.

One problem I see is a constant intersection of gender and sexual orientation. To be fair there is an intersection of gender and sexual orientation but there never seems to a separation anymore and society (US society that is) is left in mass confusion.  Just because a woman has mannerisms or dresses in masculine clothing does not mean she is a lesbian. Same this same concept applies to feminine men. Gender expression, how someone expresses their gender through mannerisms, clothing, hair, and overall appearance does not dictate their sexual orientation. Stereotypes are perpetuated this way. When someone identifies as transgender that does not explain their sexual orientation, a trans person may identify as heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, asexual or any other identity. Society has some progress to make when it comes to understanding gender and getting out of the mind set that there is only two genders and what it means to identify with those genders.

There are cultures that have no difficulty integrating people who change gender roles, these cultures often holding them with high regard, such as the traditional role for 'two-spirit' people found among certain native American tribes. Two spirit people mixed gender roles by wearing and performing the work associated by both men and women. Two spirit people are said to have bodies that simultaneously host a feminine spirit and a masculine spirit, this was considered a gift. The two spirit people were held with high regard because they had been touched by the spirits more so than others and were often shermans, respected artisans and healers.

 Society could learn a little something from the native American’s about embracing our different and unique identities. Education about the spectrum of gender and sexuality would create a whole new way of thinking. If everyone in the LGBTQIA community could be open and accepted about their identity, if everyone could be open about their identities think about all the issues we could eliminate creating a better society for all of us.  

Poverty and Unemployment

       The current job market, economic inequality, limited job opportunities, and discrimination create an environment where having a full time job is the minority in the trans* community.  One out of every four trans person has a full time job and sixteen percent work part time.  Of those who actually have jobs only four percent make above $61,200, which is the median income in the bay area. Twenty two to sixty four percent of transgender people reported high unemployment rates and low earnings, less than $25,000 per year. (Badgett et al. 2007)

       Not only is there trouble in or obtaining a job, keeping a job is a whole separate issue. Seventy percent of the transgender community reports experiencing workplace harassment or discrimination directly related to their gender identity (Transgender State of California, 2009). Numbers also show that trans* people are not unqualified or undereducated because in California, ninety five percent of trans* people over the age of 25 holds a high school diploma or equivalent. Transgender Californians who responded to the survey are almost twice as likely to hold a bachelor's degree as the general California State population. (Transgender state of California, 2009). Of those who are discriminated against in a job setting whether it be harassment, termination, promotion denial, or reorganized most did not report it. Most trans* people do not know there are protections set in place. Since 2004 trans people in California are protected from discrimination and harassment in the workplace.

       Fun fact Minneapolis was the first city in the US to not allow discrimination based on gender identity and gender expression in 1975. St. Paul followed in 1990. Currently 109 cities/counties have the same laws (http://www.transgenderlaw.org/ndlaws/index.htm)

       
       A huge problem the trans community faces is no match letters. A gender no match letter is suppose to be protect your identity, when an employer checks with social security that you are who you say you are the employer will usually receive a gender no match letter, or electronic notification, still called a letter. This unfortunately creates a lot uncomfortable situations depending on how open someone is with their employer. Depending on state laws a trans person may not be able to change the gender on their social security number.

Most trans* people who cannot find jobs result to prostitution to be able to earn money.

State of Transgender California: Economic Health of Transgendered Californians. 2009. Transgender Law Center. Retrieved from http://www.transgenderlawcenter.org/pdf/StateofTransCAFINAL.pdf

Badgett, M.V. et. al. 2007. Bias in the Workplace: Consistent Evidence of Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Discrimination. The Williams Institute, UCLA School of Law, UC Los Angeles: 1-27


* denotes transsexual transgender and gender non conforming