The paradox of trans visibility: I want to be seen as any woman, and as trans

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By Meredith Talusan, author and journalist

I’ve been struggling for a while about being visible as a transgender person. I spent so much time trying to pass in my early transition period, hoping that someday everyone would just see me like any other woman. But over time, once people stopped being able to tell I’m trans, I was surprised to find that I missed being recognized, especially by other queer and trans people.

This is the paradox of trans visibility: not only do we want to control to whom we’re visible for our own safety, but it’s hard to only be partly visible. Being trans is so much a part of my life’s journey that I want people to be aware of my history and the struggles it took for me to get to where I am, yet I don’t want being trans to subject me to cruelty, discrimination or violence.

source: nbcnews.com