Welcome to the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia!
With everything that’s been going on in North Carolina and Georgia lately, the issues facing our transgender community are finally being brought to light. I could go on and on about the long fight ahead for equality and healthcare, etc. But that’s not what this hop is about.
I’ve witnessed something recently that really gives me hope. I’ve known a certain young person for years, and since this person is still struggling and discovering their gender identity, I’ll use the name Jackie to avoid pronouns, which is a whole other topic. I’ve known Jackie long before Jackie threw off the female persona forced by society because Jackie happened to be born with a vagina and breasts. To say the least, these last two years have been difficult while Jackie struggles with depression and anxiety, but Jackie is receiving the medical aide and counseling needed.
Thank God we live in a state that already has legal rights and protection in place for our transgender youth. While this young person has been struggling with gender identity, Jackie’s been supported one hundred percent by parents and friends. They listen with concern and love to everything Jackie shares, and when they don’t have the answers for Jackie, they speak with doctors and counselors to get the help Jackie needs. Even Jackie’s school stands behind Jackie, going so far as to use the name Jackie asked to be called by, even though it’s not Jackie’s ‘real’ name, with a supportive staff and counselors on hand for whenever Jackie needs the added help.
I realize not every young person has this kind of support, but they should. Jackie’s experience shows that this is possible and is something we can work towards making a reality for everyone.
Thank you for joining us in this very important hop. Please comment below with your contact information. I’ll choose one winner through Random.org to have a $25 donation made in your name to a charity of your choice, whether it be The Trevor Project, Matthew Sheppard Foundation, It Get’s Better, or any charity close to your heart that supports our youth. Oh, and a $5 ARe Books Gift Card to keep for yourself.
Hugs! Please keep hopping HERE!
Dianne Hartsock 
thanks for the great hop. a worthy cause to bring light to
I truly believe the smaller victories can snowball into big ones, if everyone keeps fighting!
Thanks for informative post and hop.
Great post it is wonderful to hear that “Jackie” has got so much support. The world is changing slowly but it is.
ShirleyAnn(at)speakman40(dot)freeserve(dot)co(dot)uk
Thank you for sharing a story of hope and love and support. It helps to read or hear these stories when there are so many other sad or negative stories.
jen(dot)f(at)mac(dot)com
Thank you for sharing the story and hopefully it’ll help others.
humhumbum AT yahoo DOT com
Lovely post. It’s great to hear about the people that it working for. That they are indeed highlights of what we are fighting for is indeed possible and is in fact right here. Right now even if we still have a long way to go
Beeheeley[@]gmail.com
What an amazingly articulate speaker Nicole Maines is, a great talk with humour and sadness and hope.
Littlesuze at hotmail.com
Diane,
Thank you so much for being part of the hop. Insight like yours are so encouraging to read.
Cherie Noel, Hop Admin
Thank you for sharing the story of your friend with us… It’s so good society is changing… albeit slowly, it is improving! 😉
susanaperez7140(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the post, it’s been interesting to read the different articles and posts.
serena91291@gmail.com
Thank you for participating in this Blog Hop and for showing us by your post how important supporting our friends/family and all other is.
ahpg(at)ziggo(dot0nl
Just saw that my email address isn’t totally corect LOL It should be ahpg(at)ziggo(dot)nl
Thank you for the very informative post!
anamaribelcardenas@yahoo.com
thanks for the informative post!
leetee2007(at)hotmail(dot)com
Thank you for the lovely post!
milicawho0805@gmail.com
Thanks for the great addition to this blog hop!
It is extremely important for us to talk about all the people under the umbrella, especially in the light of the recent events, so thanks for talking participation in this blog hop!
I’ve seen this video before, but it gets me every time. Thanks so much for sharing and participating Dianne.
tiger-chick-1(at)hotmail(dot)com
You’re my winner, by Random.org!! Thanks everyone for participating!! ❤