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comment by dublinben
dublinben  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Fox News personality slurs Obama's transgender former nanny
I think it's patronizing to think that they need your charity.




Laurelai  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I'm transgender myself, i know of the struggles we face in day to day life, i lost a friend due to malnutrition. How is that in any way patronizing to want to help people like me?
dublinben  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·  
I understand that you have first-hand experience with this, but why do you think you should start a charity? By their very name, the goal of a charity is to throw money at a problem. I'm sure you'd agree that the struggle for acceptance that transgendered people face will not be solved merely by giving away money.

Stating your intentions to 'start a charity to fix the problem' carries an unpleasing vibe. I'm reminded of the many charities that religious fundamentalists have set up to help people 'pray away the gay.'

Laurelai  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·  
The charity I want to provide is to cover emergency food and relocation costs for transgender people, as well as job training. We struggle with acceptance yes, but we also struggle with day to day living in a lot of cases. I already have an emergency food line set up for some of the trans communities ive set up online and it has helped people already. I also happen to be an atheist so religious fundamentalism is pretty much out of the question. I understand your concerns but im tired of writing memorials for my sisters.
dublinben  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·  
That sounds like a really productive and noble way to help people. It definitely doesn't sound like you're trying to 'solve the problem' of transgendered people, like one might try to 'solve the problem of homelessness.'
Laurelai  ·  4648 days ago  ·  link  ·  
The problem is far too big for me to solve, but i can reduce the overall suffering of those around me and those who look to me for leadership.