What would be your advice or ideas

[KarinaGiselle]

What percentage of TS are sex workers? That may have something to do with the taboo and mainstream non-acceptance. There are plenty (vast majority of gg) who aren't porn stars or escorts. In order for there to be more non-sex TS, first there would have to be a lot more of them period. I'm not talking about the ugly 40 yo cd on craigslist and there aren't many Kellys around for curious guys to date. Therefore, we pay the few good looking TS for sex or porn and create a market difficult for them to turn down for a regular full-time $40k/yr job.

The problem is that many TS women have to go to sex work because of the social isolation/rejection we suffer. It's a vicious circle. We're not accepted, no one wants to hire us or let us into schools to have quality education and skills (although this one has changed a lot lately), so we have to do sex work, and because of that last part, the majority of people look down upon us.

Many things have to change, some that come to my mind are:

* We need REAL non-biased sexual education so the future generations stop seeing sex as a taboo and accept their sexuality, and see what the real world has regarding this very important aspect of life. This means discussing many things, not just safe sex and sexual diversity (LGBT community). A lot of people still see sex as something forbidden, and this is a big part of our rejection problem.
* We need specific laws that give us protection against discrimination in workplaces, schools and whatnot, and an effective legal system that can actually protect us and treat us as human beings.
* We need more activists who are willing to be more assertive and keep up the fight.

At the end of the day, the LGBT community (even is they separate) are fighting for pretty much the same things in overall, that's why we need to stick together, 'cause sepearated we're very few.

Some shows like Degrassi (the new one) have displayed transgender characters. The Gay community is still fighting, but they're becoming more accepted nowadays than 20 years ago. It's a matter of time and of course, of keeping up the fight.

[BellaBellucci]

At the end of the day, the LGBT community (even is they separate) are fighting for pretty much the same things in overall, that's why we need to stick together, 'cause sepearated we're very few.

Sorry. I have to disagree. Some parts of the LGBT community are separated for very good reason, and it's because we are not all fighting for the same thing. My right to have my insurance company cover SRS is in absolutely NO way related to, say, RuPaul leading a march to let drag queens who have not been diagnosed with a medical condition such as GID from using the ladies' room.

Sure, there's strength in numbers, but transsexuals have different needs than others under the so-called 'trans-umbrella.'

~BB~

[onmyknees]

Sorry. I have to disagree. Some parts of the LGBT community are separated for very good reason, and it's because we are not all fighting for the same thing. My right to have my insurance company cover SRS is in absolutely NO way related to, say, RuPaul leading a march to let drag queens who have not been diagnosed with a medical condition such as GID from using the ladies' room.

Sure, there's strength in numbers, but transsexuals have different needs than others under the so-called 'trans-umbrella.'

~BB~

I agree with this. I understand why the LGBT "community" uses that phraseology because there is more strength in numbers, but there are many issues unique to each group. Since I'm neither, I just can't understand what the Transsexual community has in common with the gay community other than acceptance and equality, which is not exclusive to gender or sexuality groups, but race, religion, and ethnicity as well.

[yodajazz]

To bring ts girls more mainstream?

For men who are attracted to ts to feel more comfortable..a lot of the reason everyone is so ashamed is because we are so taboo

I was speaking mainstream in general Franklin but porn too

Thanks for your honest answer.

I have long said, the key is to put in a short plot, or story that would interest people, beyond pure sex. So if you had a 10 min sex scene, there would be a 10 minute plot, before the sex. Some people could related to certain characters, or say, "what would you do, in that situation". An especially good tool is comedy. I realize that it would be a lot more expensive, and also certain sex performers may not be able to act. But the potential is much great. If the plot part was stong enough, it could maybe be broacast on an adult cable channel, and maybe get some curious enough to find the full thing. Another technique would be be put in plot twists, so the viewer, not there primarily for ts sex, would want to see the end, also.

[yodajazz]

I agree with this. I understand why the LGBT "community" uses that phraseology because there is more strength in numbers, but there are many issues unique to each group. Since I'm neither, I just can't understand what the Transsexual community has in common with the gay community other than acceptance and equality, which is not exclusive to gender or sexuality groups, but race, religion, and ethnicity as well.

The Trans community should be for the rights of everyone, who is not out to cause harm to others. Dividing ones enemies is an ancient battle practice. Those that would cast negative energy, are happy to see us fighting one another, instead of them. Our issues, are still part of the overall rights of everyone, as an equal righted person, and are thus are important.

[BellaBellucci]

Our issues, are still part of the overall rights of everyone, as an equal righted person, and are thus are important.

For what 'rights' are crossdressers fighting exactly? They already have the right to wear womens' clothes in public. What else could they need or want that doesn't trivialize the struggles of transsexuals fighting for respect and opportunity? Is this really about bathroom bills?

Sure, CDs need love too, but they surely don't need any more 'rights' because at the end of the day they still have male privilege.

~BB~

[yodajazz]

For what 'rights' are crossdressers fighting exactly? They already have the right to wear womens' clothes in public. What else could they need or want that doesn't trivialize the struggles of transsexuals fighting for respect and opportunity? Is this really about bathroom bills?

Sure, CDs need love too, but they surely don't need any more 'rights' because at the end of the day they still have male privilege.

~BB~

They may not make it to the end of the day, because there are people that would hurt someone because they crossdress. It was illegal for anyone to crossdress, in the sixties. Name one male, open crossdresser, that is in a position of influence. The only exception is entertainment, mostly for laughs. So where is this Fortune 500, manager, who say they like to dress up and go out on weekends. Not any Hollywood types, except it was for a role. I dont see any pop music stars either. I say this is because being a crossdresser mostly means the loss of male priviledge. Being able to hide is a different benefit. Transgenders can also hide their past gender changes. But what benefits the society the most? People that work towards greater acceptance, especially those that serve as an example.

[BellaBellucci]

They may not make it to the end of the day, because there are people that would hurt someone because they crossdress. It was illegal for anyone to crossdress, in the sixties. Name one male, open crossdresser, that is in a position of influence. The only exception is entertainment, mostly for laughs. So where is this Fortune 500, manager, who say they like to dress up and go out on weekends. Not any Hollywood types, except it was for a role. I dont see any pop music stars either. I say this is because being a crossdresser mostly means the loss of male priviledge. Being able to hide is a different benefit. Transgenders can also hide their past gender changes. But what benefits the society the most? People that work towards greater acceptance, especially those that serve as an example.

The issues to which you refer are social in nature, not legal, so this doesn't really answer my question. The government should not be legislating morality and acceptance, only tolerance.

~BB~

[Jamie French]

How do you go mainstream? Be really, really good at something that has nothing to do with gender or sexual identity and then be extremely tenacious about it. Just like anyone else who has gone mainstream. I'm assuming you're talking about being an entertainer of some sort... I couldn't begin to imagine what it is to be a mainstream lawyer or a mainstream sanitation worker, etc. Those are just things you do or don't do - it's as simple as going outside and doing those things. Also for those of you worried about being visited upon by violence or ridicule... ya'll know they sell guns and knives for those special little occasions. I was never a victim and I'll never understand that mentality... just man up and be a goddam women for crimeny sake!

[KittyPride]

Kids have to feel safe to come out about their gender issues and the medical community must be ready and willing to help them with treatment and counseling.

Transgenderism is probably more common than we think. But forcing people to wait untill they are in their late teens and twenties to get hormones and treatment is a big part of the problem people have with fitting in the mainstream.

I agree!
Very very true...and its oh so damaging for us girls and boys!
There just needs to be more knowledge and education for children!

Children need to know that being gay or trans is nothing to be ashamed about and that they can lead happy lives. In the same way... other children will be way more comfortable with us too because its just because they dont know us, that they fear us.

And that needs to be changed.