Transsexuals: More understanding needed
12 Sep 2008
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KUDOS to the transsexuals in Mr Wong Kim Hoh's Special Report last Saturday, 'When Papa became Mama'. Having had enough just trying to understand themselves, they have come forward to help the rest of us understand our problem with them. And indeed the problem lies with us.
I read with sadness of the rejection, discrimination and struggles the transsexual community has had to endure, and realise it is our under-developed understanding of the diversity and complexity of human genders, our immature stereotyping of those who are different, and our lack of acceptance and compassion for the unique individuality of our children, that have caused their plight. They are just as much a part of our family. What has happened to our focus on family values? Values of unconditional love, support and commitment?
How can we undo the damage we have done?
Could the answer lie in the poignant reply of the 10-year old daughter of male-to-female transsexual Fanny Ler? When asked what it was like to have two mothers, she said: 'It's okay to have two mummies. I can still enjoy both their love.' This turns the family-values argument on its head. It is not non-traditional family structures that constitute a threat to families, but the shame and stigma society attaches to families that undermine it. It is perhaps true then, that 'a little child shall lead us' to truly pledge ourselves to be one united people, regardless of race, language, religion, gender identity or sexual orientation. A society based on justice and true equality for all.
Susan Tang (Mrs)
Founding member
SAFE (a support group of straight people aimed at accepting gay, lesbians and people of other sexual orientations)Labels: Letters to the Press, News |
