Big dreams - to foster personal growth and community empowerment within the transgender community

Maybe too big of a dream, but I know it is possible.

With my experience in domestic violence and helping victims toward self-sufficiency, I envision some day that I am involved in empowering transgender women. My experience in social services and shelter programs for women here in San Diego inspired me to think critically about my identity and serve the transgender community, who do not have access to adequate programs and services here in San Diego county. As I have discussed in my previous blog post about the barriers of accessing quality health care here in San Diego, it was a challenge to find the hormones that I needed to continue my transition and to become the person I have always been. Even with the Family Health Center's STAR Program, there is not enough funding nor culturally competent leaders to mobilize the transgender community. From what my own research and experience, getting into their program is difficult because it is limited to contacting them through the phone (which is either busy or goes directly to voicemail) and attending Tuesday group meetings that can be a hassle or can fill up within seconds. So I wonder, how many transgender individuals are not getting the services they need? Are there any quality programs and services that meet the needs of the growing, significant number of transgender population in greater San Diego area?

I cannot give a definite answer to this question, but from personal experience,  we do not have adequate resources for transgender individuals or non-conforming gender identities. Too often, I've seen friends purchase their hormones from the streets, from friends of friends of friends,  from the Mexican border... without knowing what's actually in the pills, where it came from, why it is way cheaper, and most importantly, what it is doing to our bodies. A skeptic may investigate why we go to extremes to shape our bodies... we do this to conform to the gender norms, to become the classically defined "voluptuous women," to be treated normal, to avoid trans-phobia... ultimately, to be ourselves, to be safe, to be amazing! I recall the first time I found a physician who specializes in transgender patients, she scared me because I had 8 times the normal estrogen level, which can cause breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It was then that I realize that I needed to stop, and I did not want my friends to unknowingly poison their bodies. In an effort to inform them about the repercussions of self-medication, I talk about my experience and the privilege of having access to a licensed and culturally competent physician. Furthermore, I would to do more... to become a voice for the transgender community.

With my experiences in women's activism in San Diego, I am definitely learning how to mobilize the transgender community. As a Domestic Violence counselor at YWCA, I help women achieve their potential for greatness -- to become independent, self-sufficient, and and successful. I believe that I can do this for transgender women as well, and I am saddened that we do not have any opportunities, such as what have been modeled by the Transgender Economic Empowerment in San Diego. Because there are no organizations that provide this, I would like to initiate one in San Diego County. I plan to lead a multi-faceted  organization that not only provides economic empowerment, but also supportive services such as Emergency Shelter and Transitional Housing, where transgender women can be on the right track. I envision a house that fosters sisterhood and growth, where services can include counseling, case management, etc. Moreover, I would also like to provide financial and health education to transgender women. I feel that this is necessary in achieving the goal of mobilizing the transgender community. These services are what I've have learned and believe to be effective in helping people, and I hope someday we are able to provide such services in San Diego.

Additionally, I work on special projects and community outreaches for the SD Domestic Violence Council. I assist with events promoting awareness and elimination of domestic violence throughout the county. With my previous experience in Pacific Center of Human Growth, Berkeley, CA, I saw the effects of community education in action, which is why I am currently involved in fighting domestic violence. I have not found any organization that educates the community about the transgender experience, and I cannot wait to initiate it here in San Diego. Educating the community about marginalized populations is one of the best way to eliminate racism and empowering transgender women. With my presence, I not only demystify stereotypes that devalue the transgender identity, but I also serve as an advocate for trans-youth and encouraging them to pursue dreams because their successes are attainable. Just to get our voices heard is already something, but do reach out to those who have narrow minds will do something greater. It is not to argue a one-sided perspective, but to be heard and have our opinions considered. Right now, I help my supervisor with events training medical and social service providers on how to identify and serve domestic violence victims, and I know that this effort makes a difference in how we provide services. I want lead such effort with the transgender community, to help diminish barriers to health care and other social services.

I am currently a frontline worker and I may not be in a leadership position right, but I know that I am working from the ground up. I am fortunate to be involved in social services because I am learning a lot, and I am looking to advance my knowledge and skills to one day serve the transgender community. I applied to SDSU's MA in Women's Studies program because I would like to learn women's activism from start to present. Now, it is the waiting game. Accepted or not, I will continue my advocacy efforts and I know that someday we will achieve transgender equality. Some day, the world will see us as equal citizens. I know, it is POSSIBLE!

This sounds more like a personal statement than the application I sent. Let's hope it was enough. Fingers crossed.

XOXO,

Jas

PS. Do you think this is possible? Would you like to become involve? Maybe a Pepsi Project material? Let me know your opinions!

Oh, and this is my February post. Just in case I don't get to write one next month.

xoxo,

Jas