In today's society it is easy for people to get caught up with themselves. "Cell phones are selfish." iPhone. iPad. iCloud. Everything is all now about the "I" and never the "us." Technology has significantly decreased our empathy for others, while it seems that we have all become a more sensitive generation. This is an automatic red light. If people are becoming more self centered, yet creating a sensitive ego worldwide, how will the world come out of this "stage" and realize what is going on. As the LGBT community has come such a far way in the last couple years, the on the rise topic is how people are reacting to how they live their normal lives.
Between all the equality movements going on within our world you would think people would realize the "privileges" they are born with are the not the same privileges everyone else was born with. If you can do something without having to stop and think about it, it is a privilege. The transgender community has a lot of disadvantages within their way when speaking just about privileges alone. Ever had to worry about being hassled that you aren't using the correct bathroom? Or that you aren't looking like a man or a woman enough to use that said bathroom. "Why is a man wearing a wig, dress and heels and walking into the girls bathroom?" Why is that your business? Unless someone is emotionally or physically attacking you I do not understand the huge upset of someone who has a different gender identity than their physical appearance using the same bathroom as me.
I could go on and on about all the other hardships, but I choose to inform my readers about the issues with bathrooms because it is such a miniscule thing to think about -- until you are constantly harassed about it. The importance of all of this is not me trying to make you feel sorry for the LGBT community. I want you to feel what most of this community deals with to make you aware of it. I ask my fellow readers to look at the transgender community with strength. Take a walk in their shoes.
No one should ever have to worry about being harassed about using something as simple as the bathroom. Can you imagine rushing to the bathroom because you have to go (like every human does) and then someone proceeds to tell you that due to your physique you should not be allowed in? Those within the transgender community are not only being harassed in bathrooms, but in every aspect of life. The average life expectancy for one who is transgender or gay is significantly lower than this who are heterosexual due to hate crimes, abuse, homicide, suicide, and homelessness. Those who want to change their appearance because they want to be who they believe they really are get pushed to points from the public, media or government where they do not feel the need to live any longer. That person that you are criticizing is someone's significant other, daughter, sister, brother, son, etc. See the person as a human rather than someone you think that does not belong.
I ask you to not only think of the transgender community but also those who are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and pansexual. Before you judge that two people of the same sex are holding hands or are kissing, think, think of the hardships that they may face while just trying to be in a relationship with someone they love. Once again, it goes back to privilege: if you do not have to think about it, it is a privilege.
"You can't really understand another person's experience until you've walked a mile in their shoes."
