ADVOCACY

Hi Ladies!

I'm having very delightful time here on CDH! So much so that I've derailed from the narrative, at least in my head. I love contributing to the Forum and I really appreciate the private messages and all our collective support.

However... perhaps I've been a bit selfish lately. I've embraced all this love and have hopefully given back to our membership too with some clever quips and helpful advice.

I think it's time for me to do something more, like helping out a local advocacy group. I just don't know how to go about it. I've never really advocated for anything - just kept my head to the grindstone with that protestant work ethic without looking up much.

I'm combing through the Weeb, of course, and I see the "Donate" button everywhere. Sure, I can cut a modest cheque, but what else can I do?

So, if you participate/volunteer anywhere helping with gender issues, how did you start and what steps did you take? And if you're still there, what's keeping you there?

Recently in Canada, our federal Bill C-16 as of 2017 amended our Human Rights Code to include gender identity and expression. This makes it a criminal offense if any hateful acts are committed towards the trans/crossdressing community. Wonderful! But, I think there are still many obstacles in the way for me to dress and be who I really am to my outside conservative world. I'm also terrified of revealing my current, legal identity face-to-face with another human being!

My own feelings about my gender is maturing and I'm a peace with it. But, when I was a teenager and questioning, I had some painful times sorting it all out. There are many amazing short films on YouTube about coming to terms with one's identity. My favorites are Lenny, Flora and Posture. Especially Flora and Posture - that's ME!

(Btw, House for Sale is pretty good too!).

Thanks and hope to hear from you gals!

💓 Barb