CHECK Berlin/Brandenburg #6

TRANS*
Photo: Lena Balk_unsplash.com
should still engage with and support the Harry
Potter books.
How do you rate the public debate about
gender diversity?
I think it‘s important the media discusses the
topics. I have also seen what a great empowering
effect good reporting has on people. There
are people who are now sixty years old who
come to my counseling and tell me how nice it
is that the world has changed so much and that
there is now so much knowledge. They finally
dare to become themselves and that‘s great.
At the same time, it would be nice if things happened
less excitedly and if we didn‘t always use
all the clichés. So typical headlines like: „This is
Torsten, who now wants to be called Luisa!“
Certain narratives that are tough for the community
are reproduced over and over again.
For example the question about the old name.
In the community, the old name is also called
„Dead Name“. If I now say, for example, my
“TRANS* AND NON-BINARY PEO-
PLE SHOW OTHERS HOW IMPORT-
ANT IT IS TO RESPECT AND PRO-
MOTE INDIVIDUALITY. THAT HELPS
EVERYONE, BECAUSE EVERYONE IS
SOMEHOW DIFFERENT.
name was once Kathrin, then people look at
you and try to find Kathrin. It‘s just weird and
uncomfortable.
It is standard in the media that the Dead
Name is always mentioned first. Unfortunately,
it signals that when you meet a trans*
person, the first thing you can ask is the old
name. That is absolutely not conducive to
advance trans* rights.
We always talk about the problems. What
positive experiences and observations do you
have in your work?
Even if a transition is a rocky and often difficult
road, people learn a lot about themselves and
their identity, goals and needs.
Through this intensive examination of myself, I
can often better assess my path in life and learn
to walk. Those who do not have to deal with
themselves that much like to avoid such existential
issues and may not find their own way
so surely. This confrontation can be extremely
powerful and liberating. In addition, trans* and
non-binary people show others how important
it is to respect and promote individuality. That
helps everyone, because everyone is somehow
different. (ts,sw)
Trans*LG
Beim Holzberg 1, 21337 Lüneburg
Tel. 04131 99 49 359
TransLG@checkpoint-queer.de
www.checkpoint-queer.de
CHECK BERLIN/BRANDENBURG #6
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