Author's note: The exact numbers for transgender children and adults, are at best, a guesstimation, as there is no definite number for the population percentage that identity, as being transgender.
As some regions of Canada don't differentiate between the cisgender and transgender, when it comes to suicide, suicide attempt, and suicidal thoughts. There is no hard number for Canada. Although, various regions and provinces have individual numbers.
Being transgender, the odds are even higher that you'll experience this, especially, if you have been rejected, by your family and friends.
For The Record: For most of my life, I have struggled with various mental illnesses, without realizing myself or those around me. In December 2007, I was officially diagnosed as being chronically depressed, several anxiety disorders, agoraphobic, justifiably paranoid (I dispute this, as the psychairist was transphonic) and PTSD. This psychological assessment was ordered, as part of my application for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP), which supports Ontarians with mental and physical disabilities. My application was approved after 2 months of being received by ODSP. Unusually fast, as they’re traditionally known to reject applications on general principles. Guess, it helped that I had just come out of a homeless shelter, in July 2007, when apply for ODSP.
This poem is written for the Poets United’s midweek motif, with abundance, as writing prompt.
Author's note: As I write this poem, the U.S. Senate is holding a Judiciary Committee hearing into allegations that Supreme Court justice nominee Judge Brett Kavanaugh had sexually abuse a woman, while in high school, at a house party. Before recommending his candidacy be voted on, by the Senate, in an up and down manner.
Personally, I believe Dr Blasey Ford and the other women, who have come forward with their experiences, regarding Judge Kavanaugh. Facing personal attacks from total strangers that amount to abuse and criminal harassment. Something, I don't have the internal courage to do so.
Some will argue that the events of high school and university, shouldn't dictate, how we view Judge Kavanaugh’s appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. Problem is, it does. There is too much at stake, to let this be dismissed, as boys being boys. For we're responsible for our actions, regardless, of our age, when they happened. There is no excuse for any type of abuse.
Should Judge Kavanaugh win the nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court, it'll mark a huge step backwards for the United States. If so, I hope the Republicans lose control of the Senate and House of Representatives. Trump needs a counterbalance to his destructive policies.
FYI: I have chosen Tori Amos’ Crucify (1992), as she sings about her own rape experience. I know, I have experienced similar feelings about my own abusive/bullying past. Thank you, Tori, for so elegantly expressing the pain that many abuse survivors live with.
