I’m an edjumacator
I just got back from speaking to a class at Loyola in Chicago, and wanted to share some thoughts. (Hello to any of the members of the class who are now stopping by my blog! Y’all were awesome.) (Also, in the interest of full disclosure, saying I “just got back” is a slight exaggeration. I did just get back, but between speaking at the class and getting home I also stopped at H&M and DSW and, between them, spent $110. Consider yourself disclosed.)
The class was on social work in LGBT communities, and was made up of masters students looking to become therapists/social workers/etc. I’ll admit my ignorance here, in that I don’t know the technical difference between all those categories. The class has been talking all semester about what treating the LGBT population means, and the professor said he tries to bring in representatives from those communities – both individuals and therapists working within LGBT communities – to talk about their experiences. I was there because I’d been put in contact with the professor by my therapist, who has worked with him before.
I have to admit that I was a little flattered when my therapist asked me about the possibility, because I definitely got a feeling of, “Wow, she thinks I’m sane enough, and have my shit together enough, to speak to a class about my experiences being trans and in therapy!” But I was also more than a little nervous…as much as I’ve spent a lot of time on stage, and my upcoming show is made up entirely of personal narrative, I’ve never spoken in a classroom setting about my experiences.
I began with some basic Trans 101 stuff, which was probably unnecessary, but I wanted to err on the side of caution (and I said as much to the class). I then talked about growing up, when I first understood gender, and my own disconnect from “boy.” I discussed the insidiousness of culture and socialization, and how even though everyone in my life was accepting and gave me positive indications about being who i wanted to be, I still “knew” that being trans was wrong, wrong, wrong.
I tried to talk about my experiences in therapy, as that would seem to be the most useful. How my therapist going into highschool was great, and wasn’t negative when I came out to him (he definitely didn’t give the vibe “We need to fix this!”) but he also was clueless, and didn’t really know how to help. Same with my parents. (See the recent post on this.) I went over my experiences in highschool and college, coming out to friends, therapist shopping, and tried to answer questions. I also talked about sex (unasked, but – as I said – it’s usually something people are curious about but unwilling to say so) and had a number of people smiling or laughing, which was enjoyable.
Then, a therapist in the trans community came to chat with the class, along with her (FTM and transitioned) husband. It was interesting hearing what they had to say, and hearing about an experience that’s been very different from mine – both in terms of family support and because he was black, which is (obviously) something I haven’t needed to navigate.
All in all, it was a positive experience, and I’m glad I went. I hope I was helpful, and gave the class some insight into how they can support trans patients if/when any come along.
(And if they’re reading this, they should all come see my show! Discount codes will be available soon! ::grin:: Also, they should feel free to email me if they had any other questions or thoughts – blog [at] fridaythang [dot] com – as should any and all my readers.)
Themocracy
I also want to add that, while talking and answering questions, I came up with the line “It’s not safe to try and smuggle a penis past the TSA.”
Hahaha
That reminds me of a line in that show I mentioned a few week back; Lynnee Breedlove was holding up handfuls of dildos, explaining that one must pack with a packer (soft & floppy) and not a regular dildo (permanent hard-on), because when the TSA is patting you down you don’t want them to feel THAT and think it’s a gun.
Nice. I’d imagine that could get…awkward.
Hi Rebecca. I was in the class that you spoke to on Thursday and I wanted to personally say thank you. You may remember me as I was the only guy in the class – well besides the professor:) I really admire your bravery, honesty and the integrity you showed in coming to share your experiences with us. I’ve had the pleasure of working with transgendered clients in the past and this has led to wanting to focus my work with all parts of the LGBT community. You further educated me on how I can be most effective with the transgender clients I hope to work with and I am extremely grateful for that. Take care and best of luck with your show:)
Thank you so much for your kind words, Jeff! I’m thrilled to hear that my presence at your class was useful, and am sure you’ll do great with any future patients. Thanks again, and hope to see you at my show!
[...] speaking this Friday to a high school GSA in my neighborhood. One of the students at the class I spoke to in October is leading a group at the high school, and they were interested in having a trans speaker [...]