December 2009 Issue

I have to admit out front, I had never spent much time learning about the subject of transgender. Quite frankly, the word transgender is a word that many people-gay, straight, lesbian, etc.-don't understand. The word has been ignored, misunderstood, judged and tossed aside by most societies.

It is important to me, as a member of the gay community, to really understand the word, the culture and the people. And, it should be important to anyone who claims to have an open mind.

So, I recently took a few steps to change my ignorance on the subject. I attended a conference where this was the main topic of discussion. And, I chatted with a friend, who is transgender, for more personal enlightenment.

First of all, it is important to note the many challenges of the transgender community. A transgender person doesn't fit neatly into a box. They can be social outcasts from both the heterosexual and homosexual communities. Let me explain.

Sex vs. Gender

Sex is how you are biologically born. It is assigned to you at birth, based on your external genitalia. Gender is the social construct that typically comes from your sex, although gender is more fluid and flexible.

A transgender individual is an umbrella term for someone whose self-identification challenges society's idea of which gender matches which sex. A transsexual is a person who recognizes that their gender may not represent their biological sex assignment and may seek to physically change their body to match their gender identity. This is done through hormones and/or surgery.

A Personal Point-of-View

Beyond the glossary-like definitions, I thought it was important to gain a more personal insight. As luck would have it, a friend of mine was briefly visiting home, in Pueblo, as I was writing this. He agreed to let me share his story for this column.

Seth Cochran grew up in Pueblo. Seth was born female but has since transitioned into a self-identified male. He is in the process of transitioning from a female-to-male. In Seth's words, he has followed the normal path of discovery for a male transsexual. He is currently taking testosterone and preparing for a top surgery later next year. So how did he get to this point?

Seth can remember feeling- as young as six years old-that there was something different about him. He envied his little brother's clothes, toys, and even his short hair. As he got older, he lived a typical heterosexual life-as a straight woman in a long-term relationship with a man. At the age of 24, Seth came out as a lesbian woman. He was trying to feel more comfortable with his masculinity, but he explains, "I wasn't aware of why things weren't fitting" even still.

At 30 years old, he moved to Seattle, still identifying as a lesbian woman. While living there, he began dating a transitioning female-to-male and soon discovered his own desire to transition. "It was on my mind 100 percent," he explains, "It even affected my work performance." It was an emotional time. Along with his curiosity came unexplained anger and feelings of jealousy.

Over a year ago, Seth started the process by going to therapy. Before being prescribed testosterone, Seth had to regularly meet with his therapist and live as a man: binding his breasts down, packing a prosthetic penis every day, and using the men's restrooms. He also changed his name to Seth with friends, co-workers and family.

Nearly 11 months ago, Seth was prescribed his first dose of his life-changing testosterone. Once a week, Seth injects himself with the hormone and will continue to do so for the rest of his life.

The hormone has basically caused Seth to go through puberty again. His voice has changed. He has started growing more hair all over his body and face, developed some acne, gained muscle, had an increase in his libido, and experienced a heightened emotional state. He is becoming a man.

Introducing himself as Seth to family and friends for the first time was gut wrenching. "I was terrified I was going to lose everything," he explains. But, luckily he is blessed with a supportive family, who has accepted him wholeheartedly.

The transition from female-to-male is the missing piece in Seth's life. He is finally beginning to feel comfortable in his own skin, after thirty years. He says, "I don't have to try to be male, I can be natural."

Photo Caption: Seth Cochran with columnist Daneya Esgar

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LGBT Happenings

Southern Colorado Equity Alliance
Fundraiser & Membership Drive/Toy Drive benefiting Posada of Pueblo
Sunday, December 20, 6-9pm
Carriage House Restaurant at Rosemount Museum, 419 West 14th St.
Dinner, Music, Entertainment
RSVP by calling 719-564-4004
RSVP before December 8^th: $15, $10 with a new toy
RSVP after December 8^th: $20, $15 with a new toy
Students: $5 with a new toy and a college ID
www.socoequality.org

World AIDS Day Observance
Tuesday, December 1, Beginning at 5:30pm
El Pueblo Museum, 419 West 14th St.
Music, Food and Fun
Candlelight Vigil, Pueblo AIDS Quilt

Colorado Civil Rights Commission and Equal Rights Colorado visit to Pueblo
On Thursday November 12, 2009 Colorado's Director of Civil Rights, Steven Chavez, lead an open forum discussion on civil rights issues affecting Coloradoans. The commission is comprised of seven bipartisan members from all over Colorado, including one from Pueblo, Eva Muñiz Valdez.

Puebloans were given the opportunity to speak freely and have their concerns heard by members of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission. Over 100 citizens of Southern Colorado came to voice their concerns. Topics ranged from housing for members of the disabled community, to complaints about educational opportunities, to discussion about high school students in Colorado Springs encountering unfair treatment for their Gay Straight Alliance club.

After the gathering, Equal Rights Colorado held a reception at the Pirates Cove bar. Nearly sixty people, including the entire Colorado Civil Rights Commission, came together to hear the ERC President, Anthony Aragon, speak about how far the LGBT community's civil rights have come, but also to hear how far we still have to go. Following the inspiring speech, the music and celebration continued into the night.