Breaking The Ice (February 28, 2016)

www.lourenco.co.za

Seen

That look

Upon your face

As you learn

I'm trans.

One

Of shock

And surprise.

Unconsciously

You move

A step or two

Backwards.

As if

Being associated

With me

Will condemn you

To eternal Hell

For your soul.

Forgetting

For many people

I am

Their first exposure

To a trans-person.

Although

You have seen

Our stories

And struggles

On the TV.

Or

At the movies.

Often

We're portrayed

By cis-actors/actresses

Like we don't pass

For our chosen gender.

But

If you're willing

To set aside

Your religious

And cultural stereotypes.

And share

With me

A mug or two

Of Rooibos tea

We can talk.

Therisa © 2016

Author's note: My doctor's office, is one of many satellite offices, for one of Toronto's major teaching hospitals, thus, I'm usually, the first trans-person, these interns have seen, as a patient. The medical schools don't have to offer any seminars on trans health, and usually, only one session of 2-4 hours, for gay and lesbian health. Given the long history of transphobia, within the medical community, it isn't surprising, when one looks at the facts. As gender dysphoria, was once considered, by the psychiatric community, as a mental illness.