30 Day Trans Challenge - Day 26

26) Do you feel comfortable answering questions about being trans if say your teacher/friend/stranger asked you?

I do feel comfortable answering questions about being trans from anyone.  Especially from people I know.  I feel that the more open and honest we are, the more informed they will become.  I don't get offended with the questions.  Many do not understand what we go through or what it truly means to be trans.  I have an open invitation to a group of friends on Google+ to ask any question they want, no matter how personal.  It has brought a lot of us closer.  I even share with them progress updates, like breasts aching, mood swings, any body changes, etc.  It's funny with the women, they sort of chuckle and say "Welcome to being a Woman."  They have all been uber supportive.  They offer advice from a woman's point of view.  All have offered to go shopping with me whenever I'm ready.  The more open I am and eager to answer questions, the more educated they are in what's going on.  And if this understanding can spread, there will be less ignorance and their shared knowledge could lead to less discrimination in the world.  People fear the unknown.  That ignorance fuels their fear and they let that fear turn to hate.  If we can remove that ignorance, that fuel, we can remove their fear, thus remove their hate.  At least in a perfect world.  But as we gain public understanding and support, I really think that we will be more accepted.  Will there always be hate, unfortunately yes.  But we can lessen those voices. Look how far we have come with marriage equality.  More people support it than those that oppose it.  Many have learned it is not a choice, but who they were from birth.  And I hope the world will realize that transgender people did not chose to be transgender.  Who would chose to go through what we all endure?  Through knowledge and answering questions, they will learn this was not a choice, and maybe just maybe be treated as equals and not a lessor class.  Now I'm not saying it is ok for a person to directly ask about genitals or other personal info without first asking permission.  The people wanting to know, need to have manners and ask permission to ask a personal question and need to do so privately.  But they need to be informed on the correct way to ask questions.  So if they go direct without permission, just tell them how they asked was inappropriate.  Tell them that they must ask permission to ask such questions.  Just like anyone asks another person.  Remind them that they don't randomly go up to woman and ask to see her genitals.  With knowledge comes understanding and with understanding comes support.