I had something happen last night that really made me stop and think about the lifestyle that I may be headed for. A lady from my church and I were talking about kids and the funny things that they say. She said that one little girl at her granddaughter's school (3rd grader) tells everyone she is a boy. She has been saying this since she started school. This little girl refuses to attend the girls' birthday parties but instead goes to the boys'. Apparently she dresses like a boy and acts like a boy. The lady from church said she is quite a bully and is usually in trouble.
I mentioned something to the effect of, "You know, there are people out there who believe they are born in the wrong body and know it from a young age." I was testing the waters to see if an educational conversation could be had. Her response to me was, "You and I both know better. Biblically it isn't possible. It is their choice and if this little girl says it often enough she will start to believe it. She is just doing it for some measure of control and attention."
I was completely aghast! I know from my current situation that there is no way in hell that anyone would choose the life of a transgendered person. My honey would rather be a lesbian than deal with feeling completely torn apart by the fact that her brain does not match what her body looks like. I do not know of any transgendered person who would choose to be born the way they are and deal with the hell that comes with it. Another part of me wanted to say "Who the hell are you to make assumptions on what I believe?" but I was afraid that it would give me away.
Now, I am a Bible believing Christian but I don't know enough to get into a theological argument with this woman. She is one of the most devoted church-goers in the congregation. She leads Bible study and is on many of the boards. She would have thrown scripture after scripture at me had I called her on her views. I wouldn't have stood a chance, so I just let the subject drop.
I don't know what the Bible says about transgenders. I don't know what God or Jesus says or thinks about them either. I'm sure that there are plenty of people out there who would love to tell me. I'm sure that they would love to fill my comment box with all the "proof" in the world that transgenders are sinners. Well, don't bother, because the last time I looked, we are ALL sinners and God died for ALL our sins. As far as I know, God loves ALL his children and he made us all in his image. And I don't believe God is wrong or makes mistakes....
This encounter really opened my eyes to what I could be up against and in for in this relationship. The vehemence and certainty in her voice showed her convictions quite clearly. The strength of her words made me think that if she weren't a mild mannered grandma, there just may be violence in store for anyone who disagreed with her. How many times will we, as a couple, or even individually, have to stand up for who we are and face the terrible hatred that is aimed at us? How many times will I cringe back in my seat because I don't feel I have the facts, the proof, or even the words to counteract the ideas people have about transgendered people?
I have never dealt with the anger and violence of one faction of people who have risen up against another. I live in a small community in the Midwest that is very sheltered from the raw, emotional, angry hatred that comes to light when people are starkly different from each other. I saw a touch of this in my fellow congregant last night and it made me so sad. And it made me just a little afraid.....
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