I Am a Trans Barnsley Fan

Just to add @Gravy Chips - as long as you are happy, good on you.

My main concern for the general debate around "Trans Issues" is the seeming need to decide (and publicly declare) what you are at a younger age. Teenagers especially are often confused about their identity and the use of puberty blockers can have life-long effects on people. Those affected need counseling and professional treatment, but there is a large issue with the availability/funding for mental health in this country which would require a significant long-term investment and expansion to provide the support needed.

 

Can’t add anything more to the positive posts to your thread but I wish you well in your journey and future and immediate happiness .

 

To those who know I’m going with she/her. And I will provide some updates, yeah.

To be honest the hardest thing isn’t even telling family, it’s dealing with the abuse in the street. I’ve not even been dressing female and have already been abused in the street several times this year by our less than savoury element just for having long hair and unisex clothing. People don’t realise how intimidating it is when they think it’s okay to come up to you and say something cruel to make their mates laugh.

 

Well done with that post, Gravy. It is beautifully written and an eloquent comment on a very personal and important matter. I'm glad for you that you can feel comfortable with this little community to that extent. I wish you well on your journey through life.

 

Though there are many with compassion and patience, there are still far too many with outdated bigotted views that say much about their own inadequacies and failings as a human being. You're doing an amazingly brave thing that in an ideal world shouldn't require bravery at all.

One of my college friends came out as gay when he was at Uni and he was scared to death what I'd say... "because I was a football fan"... i mean just how stereotypical can someone be, eh? (And I know gender and sexuality are two very different aspects, but get particularly confused by some). Anyway, he was driven out of Yorkshire by idiots who bullied him relentlessly. He ended up moving to London around a month after I did and dove straight into "the scene". I can understand why he did, but equally, he was trying to be who he thought he was expected to be. I went out with him and some of his friends a few times around Soho and though I love him to bits, I found it incredibly difficult because all there was all night was suggestive innuendo and in gay pubs, it was literally like you were fresh meat. You couldn't have a conversation about anything unless it was in the genre of gay sexuality.

A few years later he moved to Toronto and I've sadly not spoken to him for a while, but he'd married, and seemed to have found peace in who he actually was and not one to please others.

My point, if there is one, is that you're doing whats right and natural for you and although it's not easy to do so, what others think and say shouldn't mean your light should shine any less brightly.

 

To be fair, I don't recall much abuse when I had long-hair, but a gay friend of our attracted death threats from randoms every time he went out in Barnsley (in the late 80s/90s)...

 

It doesn't help that my hair is going through the birds' nest stage. Needs a bit more to weigh it down

 

For Wembley:

 

It is testament to how far the BBS family has come this last few years. There’ll be some who can’t empathise, but it’s not a bad thing, just takes time. Not everyone is the same.

 

Come out for a beer with me. I promise you, if people are looking at hair it won't be yours.

 

I went through that when I was young, me & a few mates. Just for looking/being different. Often got violent.
Not a gender or sexuality thing, just a young obsession with music fashion, Bowie & the like. It was the height of the AIDS hysteria & even though we had some of the prettiest lasses in Barnsley, it didn’t stop the meatheads having a go with their homophobic *****..

 

Must have been hard going through it twice

 

Aye, apparently you can pay to get out of it. Name that tune & win a prize..

 

You should have shouted I’m a celebrity get me out of here and Ant and Dek appears with a barrel of brandy round their necks .

 

I’m vaguely aware of the concept, but wouldn’t go near it with at shitty stick..

 

Lol I've just gone through that phase with my hair so you have my sympathy there! I just can't be arsed to get it cut and fancied growing it long again before I lose it all!

On a serious note - you have my admiration and full support.

 

As the saying goes. Northern boys love Gravy.
Utmost respect my friend. Others have said it all.

 

Great story. & like any difficult situation, a sense of humour is essential. Life is to be lived & laughed at.