Recently, on behalf of a client, while looking for a safe place for a crossdresser to meet others, I was told by a transgender social organization that crossdressers hadn't come to their support for a number of years so they probably wouldn't feel comfortable. After all, the volunteer said, everyone is now transgender, right?

As a matter of fact, no, not everyone has burst out of the closet. There are numerous crossdressers. Subsequently, transgender organizations are responsible for at least maintaining referrals and contacts for others, if not actually encouraging all types of transgender persons to participate in social activities. However, the situation I encountered caused me to ponder what beholds the future of today's many types of transgender persons.

It is likely that a crossdresser who encountered the same turn-away that I did, probably would have felt very left out. Moreover, if he or she was suffering from isolation, fears or family problems, it would certainly seem these problems would only be exacerbated by being turned away. After all isolation and conflict rank high in the dynamics which set transgender persons at odds with the non-transgender world. A similar reaction from other transgender persons can be doubly hurtful and is unacceptable.

As I pondered the situation of acceptance within our community I was left with the insight that if we do not support newcomers in their efforts at self-determination, there will come a time when tomorrow's organizations no longer really welcome our identities our needs. It behooves us as individuals within a community, to welcome diversity, even if it conflicts with our own identities. Perhaps, like myself, you may have noticed that already young adults are entering our community and redefining for themselves what it means to be transgendered.

One trend I have noticed more and more is for newcomers to identify as transsexual but have no real interest in hormones or surgery, this is particularly so for young persons who feel comfortable coming out and pursuing alternatives which fill their needs. When encountering such trends, be careful not to apply judgments to anothers choices. Instead, ask questions, and learn about what differences and similarities exist.

Without a doubt there will be transgender persons who don't agree with what others are doing, particularly when people begin redefining labels. However, in retrospect, rather than attacking others definitions or experiences, use this discovery as an opportunity to learn more about what people are doing and choosing. A high likelihood exists that a new person coming into the community may have heard about new choices, procedures and services which are available to today's transgender person--but may not have been available several years ago. Coincidentally, this is often how within the course of counseling I learn new information.

In a return to the subject of organizational discrimination, if you are a transgender individual and find yourself being turned away from a transgender social organization, ask why this happened. Document this incident, then shake all the monkeys out of the tree by going to the very top! Ask to speak to the organizations president or director and express how being turned away effected you. Also, ask what policies are in place to insure that future discrimination does not take place. There is a high probability your being turned away by a volunteer was accidental, and if this be the case, ask what changes will be made to the organizations training programs for volunteers.

In conclusion, recently a critical reader dubbed me with the distinction of being the torchbearer for all transgenders (sic). I appreciate critical suggestions and particularly liked the honor. I believe the comment was created because the person took exception to my seemingly always encouraging people to come out of the closet, albeit my advice is always hinged with caution. I particularly enjoyed the compliment because at least for me it demonstrated our community's diversity in ideas and self-identification.

In reviewing this diversity and contemplating how the community constantly grows and evolves, I decided to pass my torchbearing honors to some of the newcomers to our community. Its truly amazing and inspiring to hear of young transgender folk who with very little hesitation inform the world around them of their identity and needs. For instance, recently I became aware of one young transgender psychology student who intentionally informed her graduate program about her transgender identity. She did so not to make special arrangements to accommodate herself, but instead to insure that her graduate program actually included an opportunity to work transsexual issues into her educational curriculum.

To imagine, there once was a time transgender persons were excluded from professional graduate programs. Now our community members are setting their own curriculum. In doing so I hope they remember those who went before them, establishing paths so others could proceed with less discrimination. Be proud and support your community!