Elizabeth Barrette (ysabetwordsmith) wrote,
Elizabeth Barrette
ysabetwordsmith
  • Mood: busy

The Need for Role Models

My partner Doug found this article about a trans* and a trans* actress.

Young people need older role models and mentors who are "like them" in whatever way feels important.  This is especially true for kids who are queer, trans*, or otherwise exceptional in ways that make them targets.  For them it's not just about encouragement or inspiration.  It's about survival.  It's living proof that someone with this trait can actually grow up and have a successful life.  They need that.

This is why Stan and Lawrence have Hefty.  Hefty is a significant reason why Stan and Lawrence manage to patch up their relationship instead of staying at each other's throats for decades on end.  (Charles/Erik: "All those years wasted, Charles.") Of course another part is The Joy of Gay Sex and all the other helpful references that Lawrence enjoys.  (Clark/Lex: "All I every wanted from you was the truth!")  Role models matter.  Information matters.  Understanding yourself and other people matters.  Nobody should have to stagger through life being miserable, trying to live up to a standard they're told is the only option when it is not who they are, because they don't know how to fix it.

Believe that you can fix it.  Believe that  you have options.  Dare to be yourself.

And if people pick on you for that, well, then they're villains and you shouldn't count them as role models.
Tags: gender studies, news
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  • 4 comments
cmcmck

cmcmck

June 16 2015, 07:14:12 UTC 6 years ago Edited:  June 16 2015, 07:14:29 UTC

This is so much a better story than the Kardashian circus for all sorts of reasons! :o)
ysabetwordsmith

Thank you!

ysabetwordsmith

June 16 2015, 07:53:09 UTC 6 years ago

I'm glad you enjoy it so much. I grew up seeing so many stories where the hero and villain "hated" each other but there was all this erotic subtext, and I saw guys in my junior high and high school having exactly the same problems. So I wanted to show somebody could get out of that trap.
cmcmck

Re: Thank you!

cmcmck

June 16 2015, 11:09:58 UTC 6 years ago

We all need role models even though mine may not be quite what you might expect! :o)
labelleizzy

labelleizzy

June 17 2015, 07:28:32 UTC 6 years ago

thank you. I am ruminating on this, and my childhood, and the options that were open to me then versus now.

this is valuable to me.