I recently hosted a group and the topic was gender identity and roles. I must admit while this topic comes easy for me, as I was forced through my life experiences to realize the harsh reality that many people still believe that transgender people should not be seen or heard.
Granted, a few gentleman gave me great respect but the facial expressions about the topic could be read across the room. About half of the group here macho men and the other half LGBTQ people. The face-off started when I asked, “Has anyone ever been called something that was not their name?” Then I went around to each person and asked them to tell me a hurtful name that they have been called. As I filled the board with responses, my hope was for all of us to see the we are not so different.
Or are we?
It was clear from the responses that we have all been called a slur before, yet all the huffing and puffing from a large portion of the group in response to trying to address topics of diversity and inclusion showed me that we still have a long long way to go.
