Professor Schildroth has only one human sexuality class this semester rather than two, so I only had one class for outreach. I was joined by four other transwomen --- MaryAnn, another no-op, no-hormone woman like me and three post-op women, Amanda, Kailey and Michelle. I've done outreach with MaryAnn and Michelle many times; Amanda and Kailey were new to me.
As usual, there were a lot more women than men in the class... about 25 women and exactly three men.
Our "outreach" starts off with each of us telling our biographies in a nutshell --- about five minutes each. Then the class is divided between the no-ops and the post-ops so that the students can ask questions. Half way through the class time, the no-ops and post-ops switch sides so that each half of the class gets to question all of us.
I am not sure how effective this is as "outreach" because if the students don't ask the right questions or if we don't touch upon a particular point in our bios, then there will be holes in the students' understanding of what it means to be a transgender person.
However, reading the students' written comments after each session, I think we are making some progress. We usually are able to leave them with the knowledge that we are not freaks. Rather that we are just like they are, that is, human beings just trying to get along in the world.
Most of the students' questions asked of me were typical.
- How did you choose your female name?
- Do you present as a woman all the time?
- Does your spouse support you? Etcetera.
Then there were a couple of atypical questions.
- What was your favorite time growing up? (The late 1960s.)
- What was the weirdest question you were ever asked at outreach? (You just asked it.
Sometimes, I am a little nervous when I do outreach and come across as "sad" and/or "up tight," but on Tuesday, I was very comfortable and as a result, I was humorous and very effusive.
One student commented that I was "cute" in the way I told my story. Another commented about my prowess for walking in heels --- something she has yet to conquer. Still another came up to me after the class, gave me a big hug and said I was "very pretty."
So I guess I did good.
Wearing DailyLook.
Contestants femulating in the 2014 Mr. CC-E womanless beauty pageant in Spencer, Iowa.
well done Stana. Every little bit helps and I think that the younger generation is more plugged in and receptive to this issue than people like us who grew up in the 60's and 70's. Education helps build support and understanding!....good on you
ReplyDeleteJoanna
Stana,
ReplyDeleteYou did well doing good.
Do you have a theory as to why these classes tend to have many more females than males in attendance? Have you ever asked the professor if she has a theory as to why the women greatly outnumber the men?
There can be lots of good that comes from these classes. Folks like us appreciate being accepted and tolerated by women, especially the women in our lives. The women in your classes may now find themselves much more accepting if they find a TG male in their lives having had the experience of the seeing how moral, normal and well adjusted you are at these presentations.
Pat
Stana I wish the kids at Santa Clara asked more questionsof our group.
ReplyDeleteDiane