IS THAT A HE OR A SHE?

1908
23
Submitted Date 02/17/2019
Bookmark

I am not a parent, but if I were, I’d hope to do as good a job of parenting as my friend, Ella.* Her engaging Facebook posts often include proud parenting moments and I was especially impressed by a story she shared recently:

“My ten-year-old daughter and I were at a restaurant tonight, and our server was transgender. I overheard our neighboring table (sitting behind my daughter) making remarks about our server…’What is that? Can you tell?’ I felt myself turning red and was hoping [my daughter] wasn’t listening.

But I guess she was, because as soon as one of them said ‘What am I supposed to call it?’ She turned around and said ‘I’ve been calling her ‘ma’am’ and she seems OK with it. But if you aren’t sure, you can just ask what she prefers.’

After stunning our neighbors into silence, she turned back to me, and rolled her eyes in an exaggerated manner. I told her how proud I was of her for being brave and speaking up. She shrugged and asked if we could leave a bigger tip than usual, because ‘I think her job is probably harder than most servers.’”

Ella never mentions the age of the people sitting next to them, but I’m assuming they weren’t children. Just adults acting badly. From time to time, I’m shocked to realize that people still behave this way; that there’s still stigma and racism and sexism. Then again, I tend to surround myself with like-minded people who don’t behave like bigots. And then there’s the fact that I’m not transgender. I think it’s safe to assume that people who are must be keenly aware of the prejudices of other people.

I’m not immune to sexist, racist, or bigoted thoughts. They pop up in my head from time to time. I’m not perfect at stopping them, but I’m trying. Recently, I went to a protest in town. As the crowd was breaking up, I passed a person who had facial hair. But, after a double-take, I realized it wasn’t hair at all, it was drawn on. Several thoughts ran through my head: was this a woman trying to pass as a man, why didn’t they wear a more convincing beard, maybe they’re not trans at all, but just came from rehearsing a play? I wanted to ask. If they’re trying to pass as male, I could give them some tips, I thought. And then I realized…

Wait a minute. Whatever the gender of this person was, it didn’t matter. Whether they were trying to pass as male or just had a bad makeup job - it wasn’t any of my business. So, I didn’t ask. I just smiled as I passed.

If a ten-year-old can grasp the concept of a transgender server, then why can’t some adults show the same respect? I can only think of a few circumstances in which the gender of another person should make a difference: if I were a healthcare professional who needed to examine them, if they were talking to me about their gender, and if I was interested in having sex with them. After all, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the genitals of my coworkers, fellow grocery shoppers, or the attendant at the gas station. So, why should I suddenly be concerned enough to wonder about the gender of this bearded stranger?

I love it when people introduce themselves and include their preferred pronouns. It’s great because it saves me from awkward assumptions. I also love it when my world view is challenged. It gives me a chance to grow and improve. For a while, I’ll probably continue to have racist, bigoted, and sexist thoughts. I wasn’t raised with prejudices against other people; my parents have never been overtly racist or homophobic. But, I grew up in an age where not many people came out of the closet; where my classmates made jokes about being gay. It’s in my programming; the stereotypes I’ve seen on TV, looking for girls’ toys in the pink aisle, and being curious about other people. But, I try my best not to act on these things. I have learned to stop and examine my thoughts. I think it’s made me a better person, but again, I’m far from perfect. The important thing is that I keep challenging myself to change.

 

*Name changed to protect privacy.

**Trans flag by torbakhopper via Flickr (https://www.flickr.com/photos/gazeronly/)

Comments

Please login to post comments on this story

  • David Ross Washington Jr 5 years, 1 month ago

    it wasn’t any of my business
    This is the most important thing that I think would make the world easier. If we learned to mind our own business, life would be easier. If we'd learn to mind our business and not interrupt what makes someone else happy, their choices, the world would be a much better place. I'm glad that you redirected your thoughts, and understand the real relevance overall.

  • David Ross Washington Jr 5 years, 1 month ago

    I love how respectful, well-mannered, and just overall compassionate and humane your daughter is and acted in the situation as you all were out to eat. That's so beautiful and amazing. "After all, I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about the genitals of my coworkers, fellow grocery shoppers, or the attendant at the gas station. So, why should I suddenly be concerned enough to wonder about the gender of this bearded stranger?" <- I think it's important that when we have these prejudice thoughts to question the legitimacy and relevance of these thoughts like you did. We then learn how to be better humans, and communicate more compassionate and respectful. Love this article and that you shared this. This is definitely necessary to hear (well... read, lol).

    • Jen Parrilli 5 years ago

      I wanted to convey that I'm not perfect and that you're not an evil person if you aren't automatically thinking the "right" things. What's important is that you challenge yourself and allow yourself to grow. I'm glad you liked the piece!

  • Mary Jaimes-Serrano 5 years, 1 month ago

    If a ten-year-old can grasp the concept of a transgender server, then why can’t some adults show the same respect?
    Jen, first of all, thank you for sharing this piece. I think this statement about the 10-year-old is powerful. It shows a lot of where prejudices come from. They come from surroundings and teachings that are not necessarily meant to be wrong. They just sometimes are. As the mother of an openly gay young adult, I find that I am overly sensitive to some of the remarks that are made towards him and his partner. Not because I think the other people do not have a right to their own opinion, I just feel that he has a right to be himself. I think that sex, race, religious beliefs are all things that should be the choice of the person who holds those beliefs. I am not gay, but that does not mean I love my son any less because he is. Thank you so much for sharing this story. It is something our world needs to learn. Have a wonderful week.

    • Jen Parrilli 5 years ago

      I'm happy that you enjoyed my article and I'm glad to see that you're supportive of your son. Hopefully, our society will learn to be more accepting and these stigmas will become a thing of the past.

  • Miranda Fotia 5 years ago

    I also love it when my world view is challenged. It gives me a chance to grow and improve.
    Love this! The world would be a better place if more people welcomed their world view being challenged and saw it as an opportunity for growth. Great article!

  • Gabriele Russo 5 years ago

    Thank you for admitting you're not perfect in this regard. It makes me feel slightly better about my own slips. I guess we're probably close in age - I often catch myself with these early 90s thoughts, not mean, but probably not as sensitive as should be. Luckily, while I grew up in a world where this type of thing didn't exist much, I was also taught manners: you don't point, laugh, or purposely make someone uncomfortable in any way whatsoever. Maybe basic manners is what is missing for the people sitting next to you at that restaurant.

  • Andrea Hope 5 years ago

    Yes! I think you've reflected on a very simple and profound approach: don't make it matter when it doesn't. After reading a statistic that the rate of suicide for transgender people is 40%, I started watching videos from transgender people to gain some understanding. Your article reminded me of a great point (can't remember where I came across it) if you're not sure what to call a trans person, just call them their name. Although most people who "aren't sure" what to call someone can usually see what gender the person is presenting as, if some folks are uncomfortable switching pronouns or asking, they could simply use the person's name.

    • Andrea Hope 5 years ago

      I highly recommend this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZPlFULFTpc

    • Jen Parrilli 5 years ago

      Thanks for the video link! I'm really encouraged to hear from so many supportive readers. Corny as it sounds, it warms my heart to learn so many of you care about the fair treatment of trans folks.

  • Marie Gibson 4 years, 11 months ago

    Thank you so much for writing this. I feel as if so many people think that they have an opinion on what others choose to do with their lives. If a person is not hurting anyone else with their decisions, then who are we to say who they can or cannot be. We do not live their life. As someone who is not transgender, I cannot even begin to imagine how it must feel to be born in the wrong body. So who the hell am I to have an opinion on someone else's struggle? I really understand the part about having prejudice thoughts pop up from time to time. I was born into a conservative christian family and live in the Midwest U.S. If you want to see large groups of bigoted people, visit my hometown. So I was raised with the mindset that these people were sinning, that they had demons, and were going to hell. It took about 20 years for me to challenge this thought process. I now regret how I once spoke out against gay and transgender people. They are just normal people living their life. It may have taken some time, but I fully support them. I even realized that my sexuality isn't even straight. It took some un-bigoted people (dear friends of mine) to show me just how wrong I was in the way I was raised. I am forever grateful for them. And I will forever support people's rights to be who they are. I apologize if my thoughts were all over the place on this, but this piece made me feel something. Again, thank you for writing it. Much love!

    • Jen Parrilli 4 years, 11 months ago

      Thank you for sharing. I'm happy that you found a more accepting perspective than the one you were raised with. But it sounds like you probably understand that some people feel gay or trans people ARE somehow hurting them. I guess it helps them justify their blind hatred. When I was a kid, I mimicked the other children when they made fun of "being gay" just generally or teased other kids from different ethnic backgrounds. As I grew older, I was mortified to realize how awful that was of me. It's great when we can learn from our mistakes and come to a better realization. :)

  • Marie Gibson 4 years, 11 months ago

    Thank you so much for writing this. I feel as if so many people think that they have an opinion on what others choose to do with their lives. If a person is not hurting anyone else with their decisions, then who are we to say who they can or cannot be. We do not live their life. As someone who is not transgender, I cannot even begin to imagine how it must feel to be born in the wrong body. So who the hell am I to have an opinion on someone else's struggle? I really understand the part about having prejudice thoughts pop up from time to time. I was born into a conservative christian family and live in the Midwest U.S. If you want to see large groups of bigoted people, visit my hometown. So I was raised with the mindset that these people were sinning, that they had demons, and were going to hell. It took about 20 years for me to challenge this thought process. I now regret how I once spoke out against gay and transgender people. They are just normal people living their life. It may have taken some time, but I fully support them. I even realized that my sexuality isn't even straight. It took some un-bigoted people (dear friends of mine) to show me just how wrong I was in the way I was raised. I am forever grateful for them. And I will forever support people's rights to be who they are. I apologize if my thoughts were all over the place on this, but this piece made me feel something. Again, thank you for writing it. Much love!

  • No name 4 years, 10 months ago

    An Important conversation to have.

  • J Holle 2 years ago

    Loooove this! Thanks for being an awesome ally, and thank you to Ella and her kiddo for continuing to also spread the lovely concept of just being a decent person, and defending people from those who, whether out of ignorance or just close-mindedness, were being less than kind.

  • Jacqueline Hemingway 1 year, 8 months ago

    Hi there. As a transgendered woman, perhaps I can give you and others some insights. I deal with comments such as you have mentioned above on a regular basis. I have been verbally and physically threatened by those whose bigoted and ignorant beliefs are allowed to fester in the public arena. I have to carry mace in my purse for protection against these types of people. I have been physically accosted in the parking lot of a Walmart by a prejudiced and ignorant person who was relentless in their verbal filth that they vomited at me. One would think in this day and age of supposed equality and acceptance that we would have evolved beyond these types of people and their hurtful comments and actions. I feel like we have actually gone backwards in so many ways from when I was young. There is no single “smoking gun” or even one answer to the problem. Ignorance is just that, ignorant. Bigotry, racism and sexism, the same way. We will never be able to legislate the human mind, people will think what they want to think until something within themselves prompts a change. You are not a bad person for the thoughts that come to your mind. Thoughts come from two places, within yourself, your own mind or from an external influencer. Just because you have a thought, whatever it may be, does not mean you have to engage it. Having a sexist or racist thought come into your mind isn’t the issue, it’s what you CHOOSE to do with that thought that becomes something you either own and act on or dismiss and disengage from. If you continually choose to disengage from those negative thoughts, you will probably find that over time that they won’t visit upon you as frequently. Just remember, you decide what thoughts you entertain and which ones you let go and dismiss for what they are or aren’t.

  • JB Guerrero 1 year, 7 months ago

    I am none-binary and I appreciate people like you. I thank you for sharing your story & hope it incurages a new way of thinking. -jbwrites

  • Jacqueline Hemingway 1 year, 6 months ago

    As someone who has grown up living in the wrong body, I can tell you it can be extremely difficult to deal with such a vast swath of opinions the world holds about the subject. Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the wrath of ignorance, intolerance and hatred I have had to deal with from people ranging from those older than I (trying to be nice and not say elderly) to the 20 something generation. I mistakenly thought that in this progressive world of supposed equality that I would be allowed to be who I feel I really am, but not so much. I have to put up with the stares, the hands over mouths and snickering as I walk by. The rude comments, the intentional mis-gendering, and the physical confrontations. Wow, in a world where I have no problem letting others be themselves, why am I not allowed to be me?

    • Jen Parrilli 1 year, 5 months ago

      I'm sorry you've had to face so much of the ugly side of our society. It doesn't seem like your gender identity should be anyone else's business but yours. Stay safe! And know there's at least one person out here who will intervene on behalf of any trans person if needed. I will also support legislation that upholds your human rights. Thank you for reading my article (sorry about the late response).

  • Julie Nunn 1 year ago

    I completely understood your point of view. I grew up in much the same way you did as far as your parents, etc. (we must be close in age). If people could just see the humanity in a person on a soul level, rather than just being fixated on the external, we would all be in a much better place in our society. There is so much judgement. No one knows what another person has had to endure. Empathy and compassion has been in such short supply for far too long. We need those things back badly. Thank you for this piece, I enjoyed reading it very much.

    • Jen Parrilli 8 months ago

      Thank you, Julie! Even if we don't always agree with others, we can still recognize their humanity.