New York TRANSGENDER BEAUTIFUL - a solo photography show

Thanks Cal .
I find it all very dee'sorientating - especially in the guy/girl departments in stores the autism aspect making it impossible to quieten the confusion and bewilderment .
I had a dear friend XX guy who could not cope anymore , so is no longer here.
I went back into denial and face an uncertain, strained future with my betrayed wife ....
Thank the Goddess for cameras which I cling to as compact and fleetingly tangible in a world of chaos .
dee
 
Dee,

I had to search for my identity, and was rather confused.

Although genetically I am an Asian, I have a bi-racial identity because I was brought up as a white boy. It is very interesting all that society projects upon an individual as far as packaging and conforming one's identity.

Anyways sometimes I feel like E.T. meaning that I feel like somehow I came from another planet. I have been in places in the U.S. where it seems they never saw another non white person.

Anyways I can't help but stand out, even in a place like NYC. It takes great strength to be an individual, and my gay, lesbian and transgendered friends I think display great courage.

I remember decades ago when I was going to support two of my friends and attend a poetry reading. I stood on 7th Avenue and was looking for the Gay And Lesbian Community Center in Greenwich Village, I stood terrified because I was too scared to ask a passerby for directions, and I had to face the stigma's and predudice that had been programmed into me.

It took a while but I had to cross the line of safety, and to me it was a dangerous space. Funny how just asking directions could cause such a fearful experience for me. Another funny thing is when I found the courage to ask a stranger he pointed, because the Gay And Lesbian Center was just across the street.

Know you are not alone.

Cal
 
Cal, I am excited to meet your friend Nick! To both you and Dee, thank you for sharing - Your comments probably empower and educate more than you can see here. Being authentic and true to yourself is one of the scariest and most rewarding lessons - Cal, at my scariest lessons of accepting myself and transcending fear, I felt like I was jumping off a cliff and realized the net was there the whole time. Or like being afraid I was drowning in a lake/in 2 feet of water. Very interesting/funny/poignant to hear of your experience with the Gay and Lesbian Center right across the street. I still learn everyday. Yes, Dee - the camera! Thank god for the camera. Stay you. And Functus, thank you for your comment too. Bille, I am hopeful that the current climate allows for greater tolerance and acceptance. Expanding on this is what THIS is all about for me.
-jady
 
Thanks jadyb110.

Cal , i recall my 1st visit to the Candy Bar in Uk with my trans guy friend .

It was a bit unnerving ... except that here were people who I could 'read' and understand - in safety ... i guess I had been learning tomboy [ female masculinity ] since infancy - with ASD completed cutting out all other influences !!
I hung out for quite a long while with the 'tomboy' on the door - not dressed other wise other than a cap ... she had a bit of advise about an older person among younger women might face some resentment .. she had no idea that my guy friend was the ex gay girl !! I love it .

I have worked as an Interior Designer among women and with women clients , my male colleagues amazed at my ability to read my clients , work intuitively with my women colleagues and teach younger women the tricks of the trade ...
I guess , in an artistic scenario - reality asserts itself - coming out to girl colleagues , it wasn't shock horror , but when were you going to tell us !

Unfortunately , ASD is black and white - I can't read guys at all , and am uncomfortable with their expectations etc .

Many guys have helped me along the way - including many here - but that barrier and acute anxiety / dee's comfort remains - it's so much easier on line !

jadyb110 - good luck with the exhibition - next time give the XX guys a chance ?? LOL .

Respect to all
indee's crete
Indee'spair at times
miss aligned
miss taken

Just Pd - then dee ...
 
Jdi said:
Just mention I'm happy a these conversations can exist without the usual rubbish comments.
Click to expand...

+1

In seeing how this thread is going, I am now fully convinced that this site is the most vibrant, active and passionate bunch on the web, regardless of medium or format used.

I say this after reading a truly deplorable outcome on another forum dedicated to large format along the same subject. The OP was practically tarred and feathered, some of the mods were downright horrible and many long time members left. They are currently trying to figure out how to fix it but the struggle is real, the old guard is not budging.

Props to the OP, great work and thanks for sharing!
 
This is a safe place. There is a great amount of tolerance here.

Here is a clip that is relevant in many ways. One of the subjects in the trailer is a transexual, but all four speak of how they are judged in public in a profound way.

http://www.refinery29.com/shatterbox/?movie=watching-you-watching-me-trailer

If the trailer does not play, click on "Watching You Watching Me."

Also relevant to anyone who does street photography. Enjoy.

Cal
 
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