I would like to commend the gay community of Philadelphia for its persistence and commitment in the community and for being there when an individual in the community needs help or guidance. I wish I could say the same for the transgender community of Philadelphia.
Being transgender and a former resident of Philadelphia, my experiences conclude that the transgender community does not have its act together. When you go to the community for support, every little separate group is against each other. I have witnessed some particular groups not accept fellow transgender persons in their group if their transition was going slow and not up to that group’s particular standards. I have seen some groups dissolve and become extinct due to these types of actions. I once had one transgender individual put her fist in my face because I had not changed my legal birth name to a female name or changed the gender on my driver’s license.
I want to thank the gay community for helping me when I needed help. I wish I could say the same for the transgender community.
— Jaclyn Tuckett