Re: Alteration Of Sex Description And Sex Status Bill B37 - 2003
Firstly let me begin by stating that I am a Transsexual. I was born a boy and I am currently
working to correct what I believe to be natures mistake and become the girl I was meant to be. I hope what I have to say will help the committee to reach an agreed decision to amend the above-mentioned bill.
I never asked to be born a Transexual but I was. I don't know why it happened but I guess mistakes happen. I am currently 27 years of age and as I am writing this I am unemployed. I came out to my Mom and Dad mid November of 2002 and it did not go well. I fled to Johannesburg because I could no longer face them. Yes I was ashamed, ashamed of the way they viewed Gay and Transsexual people but more so because I felt that I had let them down being the only son in the family who could carry on the bloodline ensuring that the family tree would continue to grow.
My whole life I have read articles published in newspapers and magazines about other people like myself. I have read how they lied about being Transsexual just so that those around them would accept them and treat them normally. I was 10 years old when I realised that I was different, and that I wanted more than anything to be a girl. As I grew up the feelings inside of me grew and I felt myself being torn between my love and loyalty to my family and the strange feelings inside of me. I could not talk to anyone, the very mention of the TS word brought out the worst in all those around me. I began to realise that I would never be accepted and that if I were to continue my journey to womanhood that I would loose my family and forever be a social outcast. Then something happened which changed my whole outlook on life, a new South Africa was born and with it came a new hope. To cut a long story short I overcame my fears and today my family and I are working to resolve our differences. It has not being easy for either of us but I am happy to say that we are still a family.
I hope that the committee members will non-bias towards Transsexual people and that they will take our issues to heart when making their decision. It is not easy to change ones sex and live ones life as a member of that chosen sex. We have to learn to talk a new talk and walk a new walk. I have come out to many people around me. I am happy to say that most are very accepting of it. I guess it shows how far we have come as a people over the years. Today people are more open and accepting of other people's differences. Unfortunately there still exist those who's beliefs are that Transsexuals are evil and what we do goes
against "Gods" will and in the end we will burn in hell for who and what we are.
I prefer to ignore such people, everyone has the right to their beliefs and it is that right which makes us stand out as individuals. I will admit that it hurts when I hear someone using religion to get his or her point of view across. I am not against religion, I just think that people interpret only what they want to see and use it as fact.
No one wants to be born a Transsexual, I personally cannot see as to why any would. The fact is that some are born with this illness and there is nothing that we can do except follow our hearts and urges to change our sex. I have found thru my coming out to my family and friends that not everybody can understand our reasons to undergo a sex change. It is very difficult to explain. It is a feeling inside one's self that only grows as you age. I can only comment on the way I feel. I am no medical expert so I will leave it up to the experts to explain the how and whys.
Moving on...I support the alteration of the Bill because it will make life a little easier for
Transsexual people across our rainbow nation. No one can be victimised or discriminated because they choose to correct nature's mistake. I personally believe that I have lost out on job interviews because the people in charge found out that I was a Transsexual.
My parents have asked me to keep quiet about being a Transsexual because they are afraid for my future.
They realise that I am currently viewed by most as a risk but I believe that it is wrong for me to keep quiet. It is my personal belief that Transsexual people are "feared" because we have to lie to feel safe. All my life I have been told that If one tells the truth they will always be rewarded with good things, unfortunately this is not always so. People tend to resent that which they do not understand, often that resentment turns to hate. I also believe that if I apply for a job that company has the right to know that I will eventually change my name and at a
later date my sex. I want to get a job based on my skills and qualifications but most of all I want to get a job where my contribution is valued even after I have gone from Boy to Girl.
So in closing I once again hope that those in government and on the committee will pass the
amendments to Bill B37 - 2003. I am not sure that I have it in me to give an oral representation to the committee but I am willing to do what I can to help so
please bare this in mind.
Thank you for taking the time to read this