It Gets Better! (from a Transgender Woman)

A video for Dan Savage's project, "It Gets Better."

About me:
My channel is "tiresianphoenix."
I'm a 20 year old MTF transgender woman who began her transition in July of 2009, and via hormones in March of 2010.
Growing up, I lived in a medium-sized city in a poor neighborhood, and am from a very religiously conservative family/high-school environment where 'normative' gender and heterosexuality were unrelentingly enforced.
I did not know anyone whom I knew was gay until age 17. I did not see another transgender person that I knew was trans until age 19. I did not meet another transgender person until age 20.
I currently reside in small-town SC and am 100% out.
Keep your hopes and head up! If I can do this, you can too

: )

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• gay
• lesbian
• bisexual
• transgender
• trans
• woman
• man
• female
• male
• LGBT
• queer
• butch
• femme
• it
• gets
• better
• promise
• dan
• savage
• project
• encouragement
• teens
• transition
• transitioning
• transwoman
• hrt
• gender
• identity
• mtf
• m2f
• f2m
• ftm
• transsexual
• homophobia
• transphobia
• homosexual
• family
• families
• coming
• out
• middle
• high
• school
• bullying

[Gamerz22]

My issue with the video is that you're targeting a specific age group with your intro and you're setting up misleading possibilities. There are plenty of parents that'll ignore it and still love/care, some that'll support it, and others that will not do either. While it's logical to prepare for it, it's the preparation that can be the end of it (and normally is what makes people end it). Like with another video, it's great to give the effort, but you need the right content to effectively help.

[tiresianphoenix]

@Gamerz22 I cannot direct people how to prepare. You're implying that there exists a 'Form of "the Way of preparation"' and I should pass this logos on to others. There isn't. Preparation has infinite methods and will differ for all. Only you know how to prepare for your circumstance, and only I know how to prepare for mine. Sometimes we don't know, but we do our best. A mere comment response is inadequate to address all the ways in which your Platonic criticism is for naught.

[TheZ0i]

Thanks alot :) ,and it really gets better im pre-op and been through hell raped beat down and even got death threats but i had my dark days when i thought death is the best way to ended ,thank god i had some real friends around that made me think twice

AND YES IT GOT BETTER PEOPLE ARE MORE AWARE NOW IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD AND THEY ALL SUPPORT RESPECT AND LIKE THE FACT THAT OUT

IT GETS :3 BETTER AND BETTER AND EVEN MOOORE BETTER

[tiresianphoenix]

@TheZ0i I'm super happy that you're safe now! Gee, you have been through a lot, and your story would certainly be inspiration to someone. < 3

[FifiRawr98]

I'm twelve and my whole school are homophobic (Or at least the people in my grade and the one above) and it's really annoying. /: It annoys me when they are obsessed with some fake couple, but will be disgusted at the thought of a couple that actually LOVE each other just because they're the same gender. Saddening, really.

[tiresianphoenix]

I'm torn between deleting @jshjamaar 's hateful comment towards @SuperMelanie04 (who is amazing person), or leaving the comment up while telling jshjamaar to go chug a half-liter of 13 mol/L CH3COOH...... decisions, decisions.

[777FairyQueen]

You are such a beautiful individual! Thank you so much for giving the LGBTQ community hope.

[dorothyisabutterfly]

yes, it gets better. I'm 45 years old and am just starting a transition. I'm getting amazing support, including at work.

[mevalverde2012]

Wow. Thank you for being a leader! Continue you to be a positive voice for the trans community. It is much needed.

[snapplekat]

Thanks for this video. It made me smile. :)

[orderlyqueue]

thank you, thats the encouragement i needed, i came out at 16 and im now turning 21 this September. The past few years have been a rollercoaster, but having this in my mind will help me to keep thinking actively when times are troubled or filled with doubt, it always get better, everyday is another improvement to the life you‘re living!

[TheDS4000]

Great video!

[shannonlorimer]

it's great that you're getting this message out. keep doing what you do. <3

[MissLolaRose]

Well said!

[Gamerz22]

@tiresianphoenix um, alright. What I'm saying is that the response is essentially putting a "they may or may not agree/like/support/tolerate the news" which is something most already understand. The preparation of such is what causes the panic, uncertainty, and possible suicide (too afraid to risk it). I'm just saying, a better piece of information is your own experience, how you overcame any obstacles from it (like rejection), and how it did get better (great job? a lover? supporting friends?)

[avidReider]

You're BEAUTIFUL!