“The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” — Carl Jung
How often do you think about authenticity? Along with passion, there’s little I value more. If I’d had any doubt that being true to ourselves is the pathway to a better world and an overall fulfilling existence, my latest guests on Girl Boner Radio would’ve doused it.
I was crazy honored to chat with two inspiring members of the trans* community on Monday: Addie Vincent, a trans-queer college senior, “gender bender” and outspoken activist, and Mia Isabella, a transexual adult entertainer who’s rapidly become the positive role model she for many years lacked.
If you’ve ever wondered what might happen if you listened to that inner-nudge telling you life would be more wondrous if only you pursued a particular passion or stepped fully and openly into who you truly are, trust me—you’re in for a treat!
While we focused largely on issues affecting the trans* community, which is reason enough to support them, their insight and messages of self-acceptance, respect and empowerment are universal.
To listen to the show, visit Taking the Taboo Out of Trans* on iTunes.
To learn more about Addie, visit Addie Vincent for Delta Queen 2014 on Facebook. Addie tweets from @AddieVincent92. For more about Mia Isabella, check out her adult website, Mia-Isabella.com, and connect with her on Twitter: @THEMiaIsabella. I know they’d love to hear from you! As would I.
What did you think of the show? What insight from Addie or Mia stood out most? How might you move more fully into your authentic self? ♥
Reblogged this on Satin Sheet Diva's Blog and commented:
Finding out who you really are and then LIVING that truth? Amazing!
Cheers to that! Thanks for the support!
You’re welcome :-). Such great information…
Thank you for another groundbreaking post. Some years ago now, I was part of an Internet email group that worked on getting out information to the public regarding the gay and trans community. While the world is more open to the gay movement, it is radio programs such as yours that really show people being who they are and just how much that improves the community in which they live. Just terrific, August.
Karen
Thanks so much, Karen. I’m so pleased that these conversations are becoming more prevalent and beautiful souls like these two opt to openly share their thoughts and empowerment. It was a huge treat for me to have them.
This topic — living the life you were meant to live — is so close to my heart. My credo?
Build your life around who you ARE rather than who people expect you to be, so you don’t have to escape your life to be happy.
Am I wholly in that place yet? No. Do I plan for (versus dream about) living that credo? YOU BET!
Bias, non-acceptance, and prejudice have many faces — from hatred to disdain to humor at others expense. I have no place in my heart for that behavior.
I love that credo, Gloria! I couldn’t agree more — and completely dig your heart.
I knew a transgender, male to female several years ago. I had to admire her courage to live her life the way she wanted, especially living in a strict, religious household. Working in law enforcement brought me into contact with many variations on the human sexual scale. I remember going to a shooting range years ago and was greeted by the sight of a huge man in a floral dress, with long hair. Not a pretty man but he was shooting his own, handmade machine gun. Nobody gave him shit at all. I’m a live and let live type of bloke August and having been sexually abused for the first 17 years of my life I well understand the vagaries of sexuality and how one can go either way. I can’t even comprehend though how difficult it must be for those trapped in the wrong gender.
Cheers
Laurie.
I hear you there, Laurie. Many of us struggle enough for acceptance from ourselves and others without gender complexities. It’s so refreshing and inspiring to see how positively bold souls like these find and encourage empowerment.
I’m so sorry that you endured abuse — I may have mentioned that before, but it’s worth repeating. Members of my family were as well, and I can see even through your posts and comments that you’ve learned to thrive. Kudos.
Acceptance is the word August. We humans tend to clump together in groups where all members are basically the same. Any deviation from the norm is rejected. A little like animal herds where the sick, old and crippled are left to the wolves because they hold back the herd. I can’t imagine what it would be like to live as a man while so desperately wanting to be a woman, or vice versa. I mentioned the abuse mainly to let readers know that I could speak from a little experience, of what it’s like to know both worlds. That human sexuality is not as clear cut as we think. Thanks for your concern August, I’ve long since sloughed off any feelings of self pity regarding my experiences. It only keeps a victim mired in the past. I want to applaud Addie and Mia for living their lives as they want to, that takes courage.
I was going to ramble on about abuse and thought, that this isn’t the forum. It shows one thing, I have to write the book.
Cheers
Laurie.
I’m glad you mentioned it! You’re always welcome to. I’ve no doubt you could infuse it masterfully into a book – and I applaud them, too.
Thanks August, I’m sure I could do that. I’ll be dropping by your blog tomorrow.
Cheers
Laurie.
I wonder if for many people the sentence: “I’m born to do my duty.” is more an excuse for the missing courage to do what they WANT to?
I was very impressed by all this, I have to say!! Admirable!
I bet there’s truth there, Raani! Such a gift to be able to share the mic with examples of the opposite.
August, thank you. Thank you for being the kind of person that leaves no subject untouched. Gender expression is difficult for many people – no matter where they fall on the identity scale. But to be born in the body that doesn’t match how you feel inside is difficult. I love how many people are embracing androgyny, how gender neutral bathrooms are popping up more. I’ve had friends who’ve gone through hormone treatments and surgeries in order to match the outside to how they feel inside and they’re amazing people. It is not an easy path. I would equate it to cancer treatments really. I mean, their bodies are put to the test when going through all those changes and emotions run the gamut during treatment. In the end, it’s worth it. To see them and hear them say they are happy. I’m inspired by the individuals you’ve introduced us to. Thanks for sharing their stories.
The transformation really is incredible, it seems, if grueling. It was fascinating to hear Mia talk about going from utter discomfort with her male genitalia to embracing it, which isn’t to say that’s the path or answer for others. My very first big crush was on a transgender woman who’d been born male. The transformation made her who she’s been all along — and definitely who the little girl in me fell for!
Thanks for the sweet words and support, Jess! Means more than I can say.
Acceptance is such a wonderful word, isn’t it?