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Letters: Should the Elderly Transgendered Come out of The Closet?
Posted Jan 27, 2006 - 05:33 AM


Real Life Probably one of the most suffering "groups" with-in the transgendered community, or at least belonging to the transgender community, is the elderly TG's. Just my opinion folks!

In the early "good ole" days of the 1920's through the 1950's, before the sexual revolution of the 60's-70's, it was a time of "we don't talk about these things". I know for myself, as a MTF transsexual, growing up was like being from an upside-down land. When I was young I wanted dolls, they gave me construction toys : At Easter I wanted a pretty dress, they gave me a suit and a tie: I wanted my hair long, I got a crew cut: In my teens I wanted makeup, I got old spice and a shaving kit: When I got married I wanted to take the love in, but I had to put it in: When I fathered a wonderful child, I wanted to be the one to carry the child. UPSIDE-DOWN!

And now, turning 60 years old, after a year of wonderful therapy, I venture out of my mental closet from time to time, only to hear my friends and family saying"why now?" You have handled this all you life, can't you just stay the way you are? In a way, the point they make is valid. At my age, by the time I get to where I should have been, It will be "time to leave". Is it not better to have just a moment of happyness, than a lifetime of regrets? I have met quite a few younger TG's through therapy and it seems they have grown up in a time that's a little more open to discussions of gender and sexual preference, and I think therefore have a better awareness of their own feelings, and less likely to be in denial, as most of us older TG's have been most of our lives. Come out, come out, where-ever you are! We elderly deserve a moment of SELF, and a moment of happyness.

Ronnie Ann.

Should the Elderly Transgendered Come out of The Closet? | Log-in or register a new user account | 3 Comments
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Re: Should the Elderly Transgendered Come out of The Closet?

(Score: 1)
by MonicaR (TXGriot@pdq.net) on Mar 26, 2006 - 09:38 PM
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This is something that the transgender community needs to start focusing on now. As part of the Baby Boom generation it is definitely on my radar screen even though I'm personally a few decades from retirement age.


Re: Should the Elderly Transgendered Come out of The Closet?

(Score: 1)
by Lewcee on Feb 08, 2009 - 03:16 PM
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MonicaR is right. I am 63, diagnosed as M2F 14 years ago, but I have done nothing for that cause. After a lifetime of mental suffering, my perception (from my upbringing, is that what I believe I am is wrong in the eyes of the community. I am ashamed to ask for help, afraid of derision and abuse. I admit it, I lack the courage to live as I would like. Even saying this brings tears. There must be thousands of others out there, who like me, are fearful of further isolation. I will probably still be weeping at the "injustice" at the moment I cease to be. But then... nobody said life would be fair..

Re: Should the Elderly Transgendered Come out of The Closet?

(Score: 1)
by darlene on May 03, 2009 - 07:25 PM
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I have cried a million times thru my lifetime wanting to come out and to be me.I'm 52yrs old I also grow up in a world of threats and being shunned.If anyone even supected you were sexually different.I was punished for telling my parents I was a girl not a boy.I remember spankings and being sent to sit alone.It didn't take long to understand my sex wasn't a welcome subject to talk about even at 4yrs old.But I've survived to grow old.I came out to my wife over 18yrs ago.She has been very understanding to my needs.And to my need communicate with other TG'S like myself.I totally agree we need to come out and talk about our lifes and be proud of who we are and be apart of the wonderful TG community!

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