Role Models?

[Loretta Ann]

Hi all,

Upon reading a few of the recent posts, I have come across the mention of role models.

I thought it might be interesting to start a thread, that could remain friendly yet allow everyone who wants to participate, state who there role models in life are and why?

I have chosen to save my input in this thread till later, as I do not want to influence it one way or the other.

Love Darlene.

[Jamie Ann]

Upon reading a few of the recent posts, I have come across the mention of role models. I thought it might be interesting to start a thread, that could remain friendly yet allow everyone who wants to participate, state who there role models in life are and why?

     Role models? I imagine we all had family members, teachers, and others who greatly influenced us.   In the spirit of the upcoming three-day weekend in the United States, however, we should mention Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who is a worthy role model for anyone who still believes in the Constitution of the United States. At a time when “equality” was not a popular idea, he had the courage to lead a 10% minority of the U.S. population against a 90% majority (the bulk of whom at least nominally opposed the Civil Rights Movement).  To be sure, he had support from millions of followers who shared his dream, but he still displayed real leadership and admirable faith in the American system, showing that the American system can overcome past failures and move towards realizing its ideals more fully.

[CJ]

Hi all,

Good idea, Darlene. We need heroes (and heroines), these days, that aren't flying through the air, dressed up in colourful leotards and flapping capes.

Some of my own role models:

Mohandas Gandhi and Martin Luther King, amongst others, for their ability and desire to change things for the better without resorting to violence;

Christopher Reeves and Michael J. Fox, amongst others, for their sheer perseverance and tenacity in turning tragic personal circumstances into opportunities for the pursuit of the general welfare of all;

Billie Holiday, for not having feared to tread where both women and minorities were unwelcome;

The nameless man at Tienanmen Square, amongst others, for his belief that the human spirit is more powerful than a line of armoured tanks;

Socrates, amongst others, for his dogged exploration of ideas;

Carl Sagan and Isaac Asimov, amongst others, for their profound humanism;

Primo Levi and Viktor Frankl, amongst others, for having had the strength and courage to come out of their hour of darkness with the desire to shed light on the human condition;

Peter Gabriel, for his determination in having the universal language of music become a bridge across many cultures;

Boadicea, the 1st-century Celtic warrior-queen, for holding her own against the Roman empire, at a time when women were neither warriors nor queens.

Love,
CJ

[Jamie Ann]

Good idea, Darlene. We need heroes (and heroines), these days, that aren't flying through the air, dressed up in colourful leotards and flapping capes.

     Hum-mm-m, come to think of it, one of my role models (in a fanciful sense, at least) does fly through the air, dressed in colorful leotards. In another venue, I wrote:

     Crossdressing for me is about personal satisfaction — about being myself. This makes it similar to other kinds of “dressing” that express aspects of a personal identity. For instance, I have known public interest lawyers who dress in characteristic Harley Davidson attire each weekend, and accountants who spend time dressed in military garb, coming together on weekends to engage in mock-military exercises. Similarly, in the recent hit movie, “Spider-Man,” Peter Parker enjoyed a facet of himself that was enhanced by some distinctive clothing. I, too, enjoy a facet of myself that is enhanced by some distinctive clothing. My hunch is that most (if not all) people wear clothing in certain limited settings that helps them to experience aspects of their identities that they enjoy and that they could not as easily experience without the visual effects their clothing creates. Crossdressing may simply be one instance of this much larger human phenomenon.

     “Not simply,” my neighbor Melissa replied. “You have convinced me that wearing feminine clothing is a natural way to express a feminine inclination in yourself. But why is a facet of your identity being a lady, whereas a facet of Peter Parker’s is being an insect?” Well, a mutant spider supposedly bit Peter Parker, but I doubt that we can generalize from that incident. Psychologists have various theories of the self-concept and its multiple facets. Whatever the truest or most adequate explanation of crossdressing’s causes, I would prefer to focus on its consequences. Not only does it help us to open our minds and hearts, but also it makes our lives more interesting. It gives us an additional dimension. Would we really want a world in which everyone had a very narrow conception of themselves, seeing themselves, say, only as a soldier ... or only as a spider?

[Amelie-Laveau]

First I would naturally pic my dad, but other than family members, I would pick Lee Brewster. He had fought for CD rights in the 60's and 70's, using his own time and money. He faught to get ride of laws that were anti-CDing, and this was in NYC. He also had a store that catered to CDs, mostly those who were in the closet. I didn't have to shop at his store, but I did out of princeple. I would see him in the store, but only engaged in small talk, I never really got to know him. It was because of him and others like him that made it easier for me to walk the streets of NYC.
He would be my role model, I admire someone who will stand up for others, and make life better for the CDs. He died sometime in the 90's, I wish I got to know him better.

[Violet]

Personal heroes:

Albert Einstein, whose commitment to truth was no less than his commitment to life.

Anyone who helped smuggle Jews out of Nazi Germany.

Trent Reznor, whose music literally saved my life, and Brian Warner (aka Marilyn Manson) for catalyzing all of the rage and horror I felt at the state of the world and my life.

Gandhi, who proved that social change can be effected without resorting to violence.

David Cronenberg, for going where no other would dare.

And finally, St. Thomas More, for sticking to his principles no matter what.

[CJ]

Satyagraha and Nine Inch Nails in the same breath, eh, Violet? Cool! Nothing like having a little chiaroscuro soul.

Love,
CJ

[Catrina]

I must be one sad old git!

I have no role model. Before the internet I thought I was Scotlands one and only representative to the CD community (IF... there was one).
Feeling alone and shivering in my little corner of the world, not knowing the quantity or variations of my 'strange' behavior, far exceeded the confines of my little closet.

As a young man this dilemma, was a little frightening. But for a young lad it was absolutely terrifying. Who do I turn to? My Father, the man I most looked up to,who guided me the best he could? But was oblivious to my inner turmoil.

Movie stars, great men in history, professional athletes, and countless more. There are thousands of people I admire, for one reason or another. But a role model? Someone who lived my kind of life before me and paved the way? No one.

[Catrina]

I would like to apologise for my previous post, on account that I'm a cheery person, HONEST. ask anyone.

I never deleted the post because I never said so much before and it scared me a little.

Enough said.

[Jessie]

I have many people who I would honor as heros including both my parents for raising a really odd child (that would be me) However I have one person in my life who changed every and I call her Mrs. Baird (she might have a different name now). She was my highchool english teacher who taught that writting an imagiontion can be fun. I have never forgot her and I hope to deciate my first book to her and all the other teachers who helped get threw school.

[Alexandra]

catrina, no need to apologize. this forum isn't limited to cheerful views, just honest views . . .

speaking of family role models, I never had any, so I'm trying to be one to my kid.

[Kersten Lee]

Hi!

Good for you Alexandra!

Catrina, I second what Alexandra said. Catrina don't feel bad for telling how you feel. It is what has made all of those here so important to me. I could only speak honestly to my therapist and the best people, in the world, here. My therapist has never hurt me by ridiculing me and neither has anyone here. It is still impossible for me to speak openly of the things that are important to me as a person with all those that suround me on a daily basis. It is so sad that we can not. We need to celebrate the feminine attributes that beg to come out of our souls! This is what all of you have given me, Freedom to be and feel and express without shame! I have tears again for the love I feel for all of you and what you all have given me!

I have had no role models either, except recently for all the great friends here. I have considered my therapist my role model. She is kind, caring, honest, spiritual and has devoted herself to help others to put aside their injuries and pain. She never preaches from on high but only helps guide and open possibilities and options available for a happier and more fulfilling life. And after all that, she is still able to ground me in the reality of life as it exists.

Catrina, it is a real present to me today, to hear the honesty in your life!

Take Care,
Kersten

[Loretta Ann]

Catrina,

Thank you for your honesty honey.

There are many people whom I admire, for one reason or another. But after getting to know those folks who have meant a lot to me during my life, I have also been able to see their ugly sides, and that makes it impossible for me to see them as role models.

Like you said, someone who lived my kind of life before me and paved the way? No one. But none the less there have been those who were able to help me through, and to those folks I am grateful.

To me the term role model implies someone who I would aspire to be like. With that being an impossibility I would be satisfied being who I was meant to be.

You may not be the sad old git you might think you are!

Love Darlene.