Friendship comes in all stages, shapes, and sizes, from the very close, as brothers, built over a lifetime, to the budding kind that has only a few months or a year or two. I have been friends with Sam (fictious name) for about seven years. We are not real close friends, but have a good quality relationship that is mostly confined to the office.
Recently, Sam told me that he had an issue with a female agent who tried to get him fired. Of course, I asked why. He said that he recently posed as a woman in a transgender magazine, has had his name legally changed to Sara (again, fictious), and is going through physiological and psychological treatments to fully convert to a woman. I had notice that his face looked different, including the eyebrows. I figured that he was just trying to look younger, but at second glance, with this new information, why yes, he looked more like a she. I was surprised, but then his actions explained his divorce, and other changins going on. I inquired more, and I did not react negatively.
The female agent was furious with him because she felt that Sam/Sara was going to cause a loss of business. This issue was taken to the Broker/Owner who stood by Sam/Sara. Unknowing to the Broker, the State of Illinois had earlier in 2006, passeds an anti-discrimination law that included transgenders, in with Gays, Lesbians, Bisexuals, Transvestites, etc. The Broker stood by Sam and told the female agent to mind her own business. He chose wisely, but then again, he has known Sam for 30-years.
Strangely enough, the WTS permits Transgenders to remain in their new gender, and as long as they made the change before they became JWs ... as long as they do not get married or have sexual relations with anyone. When I was an Elder, I obtained a copy of a specific BOE letter to a San Francisco congregation dealing with this specific issue. Bu that was in the 1980s. So, who knows what policy the WTS now enforces. As a JW, of course, we would be taking action against a peson for making such a choice while they are JWs. And we would be required to sever all ties with such a person.
But now, as my own person, I find that I can still retain friendship with Sara. It is a little strange, and of course, for me, there could be nothing more. But, somehow, I do not find this choice necessarily objectionable. Sara's children urged her to come out and be the woman she is on the inside, and not live in despair and frustration. Sara's ex-wife has even accepted the new Sam as Sara, and they have allowed their relationship to be friendly. I do not relate Transgenders to Gays and Lesbians, as theere are significant differences.
What is your view? Do oyu see Transgenders as acting wickedly, mentally ill, or simply trying to correct a disconnect between their mind, heart, and body?
Jim Whitney