A couple days ago the launch of Caitlyn Jenner’s new face, body, and look were revealed. After reading slurs of posts on Facebook, and different blogging sites I finally decided that I needed to voice my opinion on the matter because what kind of entertainment journalist would I be if I didn’t? Just so everyone knows where my views are coming from, I have been known to be quiet the peace maker and I have a love for all things people and a true belief that religion has merely nothing to do with this issue because the God that I pray to every night loves all of his creations because He made them. On countless blog posts and Facebook statuses, people were taking to religion to answer the questions that they had about Transgenderism. In a difficult time, I find it just to take to the Bible. I think everyone should read it once if they are skeptics because “you don’t know” until you’ve tried the Bible thing. The Bible is a great guide for life, however, it was written many many many years ago. Stories that we are dealing with today, people delt with similar situations back then, but the world was different. I have a problem with some of the things stated in the Bible because many things often contradict themselves. I have many questions to ask God if I get the chance to meet him, and he totally knows that. But anyway, back to the post. I came across a specific blog post that was using religion to hate on Caitlyn Jenner because this author truly didn’ believe that God could make the mistake of placing a female soul into a male body. But, if this is how Caitlyn Jenner felt during her past life as a man, then that is how she felt and who are you people to tell people what they are and not feeling is right or wrong? She then went on to state that God makes no mistakes so Transgenderism technically doesn’t exist. God may not make any mistakes, but WE are the one who often bend that idea. What I have personally noticed by being apart of the church, the Christian faith often confuses God’s perfection with their own lives. I think a lot of Christians tend to think “If I live my life by Him, preach his words to sinners- even if it rips people down, then it is out of God’s love and perfection”. But this isn’t the truth. Christians spread love. Christians are God fearing. Christians are brave leaders. If religion is getting in the way of you a accepting someone for who they are, who they feel they are, or who they think they are, I think the dark forces have done more work on you than the light because that person and soul was crafted to perfection by the same God who created you. You can disagree with me. I know many people will, but God created me to test limits, to speak strongly, and to always put up a fair fight when need be. Before you jump on your belief bandwagon, why don’t you get all of your facts and try to understand Transgenderism first. In this article, I’d like to feature my cousin, Keegan.

“Caitlyn Jenner. Let me just start by saying you are absolutely beautiful and I am proud to have such a courageous figure represent the trans community. Her act was courageous in many ways. Not only is it scary to live life in the wrong body but to come out as a famous, public figure must be terrifying.

I remember growing up knowing that I was different than everyone else, knowing that I didn’t fit society’s view of being “female.” When I was 12, a psychiatrist had asked me if I felt like I was suppose to be a boy, transgender. I did not answer her, I only sat there and thought, reflected a bit. I felt this sort of relief knowing that these things I felt were real, that it wasn’t just me. When I started to hit puberty things began to go downhill for me. I won’t go into full detail of everything that has happened through the ages 13-17 but to sum it up I took this built up anger I had and lashed out, pushed loved ones away, ruined relationships, getting in trouble with the law, being expelled and suspended regularly, self harming, dysphoria torturing me every second it had the chance, taking anything I could to forget who I was psychically. No one saw me. No one saw the real me, I mean. The frightened little boy inside and there was no way I could put into words what I was feeling. I still have trouble describing what it is like to live a life being trans. It is not something one can simply understand unless they are experiencing it. To live like this you must dig down deep and find every ounce of inner strength you have to pull yourself through this. I had to force myself to push the thought of transitioning into the back of my head until it was a realistic option because I was so impatient to just be free that it was driving me insane. I had still contained the helpless feeling even as I sat in the waiting room to talk to the doctor about testosterone. When the prescription was in my hands I couldn’t believe it. I couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that it was finally time. It was time to ease the pain, the discomfort, the dysphoria, the time to actually relax and breathe. I am currently 6 months on T and the peace I am feeling is so content. I am discovering new things about myself both mental and psychical that I absolutely love. My confidence is much more higher, allowing myself to open up a bit more, not be so tense all of the time. To allow myself to let my guard down, also allowing myself to enjoy all of the changes that have been occurring. It overwhelms me with joy to know that there’s so much more to come. I have gotten through the worst stage of my life. It is my time to live in peace with myself. To feel the harmony, the relief, the weight being lifted off of my shoulders. If you are trans and reading this, please listen to me, You’ve got this. I know, I know how hard it is. You were given this life because you are strong enough to live it. No, don’t disagree with me, you can do this. I believe in you. I believe in us. You are not alone. What you are feeling is real and you are not by any means the only one feeling this dysphoria fucking you up. get through this and I promise you it’ll be worth it in the end. Hang in there, my friend.

I used to live in fear thinking that nobody is going to love me because I’m in the wrong body. Because I am not your typical male. Because no one is going to take the time to let me warm up and open up to them. No one is going to take a moment to actually look at me, to dig deep inside and see me. I’ve recently had closure with that fear thanks to not only my love but my best friend, Hannah Jones. Baby, if you are reading this, thank you. Thank you for making me realize that one of my biggest fears wasn’t real. I appreciate you so much. I’ve learned so much from you and I’m excited to keep learning, to keep growing with you. You’ve made such an incredible huge impact on my life and I am so grateful to have you by my side through this adventure. You’ve opened my eyes a bit more.

It’s honestly a tragedy when family and/or friends don’t accept who they are when they come out because trust me, it’s one of the scariest things we have done, if we have done it. I couldn’t have done it without such a loving and supportive family. I can proud I say that not a single one of them has been negative about it and that’s exactly what I need. I did not want to feel even more lonely than I already was just being me. I wouldn’t have been able to handle it. If you know someone who is trans and having a hard time wrapping your head around it or even accepting it, just remember, we are human just like you. We feel things. We are still us after the hormone therapy and/or surgeries. Actually we are more us than we’ve ever been and it would be such a shame not being able to witness such an extraordinary, I don’t want to say change, I guess it would be like evolving into who we are on the inside but it would be a shame for you not to be apart of it. From your fellow transman, Keegan.”

Find the strength in yourself. Find the beauty in yourself. Always be yourself. Treat others with respect. Love others for who they are, not what they are. Cloth them with loving arms of the Lord, not words of translated hate. If you view still view transgenderism as an “issue” or a “sin” after reading this, please know that you are a sinner, I am a sinner, and we are all sinners because that IS how God created us to be. We all have issues, and problems we deal with on a daily basis. If God doesn’t make the mistake of putting female souls in male bodies and male souls in female bodies and vice versa, why would God make the mistake of giving me severe anxiety? Big thighs? Divorced parents? A weird tooth? My point is, God created us just the way we are for a reason. It’s not your job to call His work how YOU see it. It’s YOUR job to love and accept – something apparently a lot of people need to work on. I hope this article inspired you and answered questions. If you have questions or comments please submit them below or email me.

Thank you guys for taking time to read this. Here is to living a true and peaceful life! Congrats Keegan, we love you!!

Emily Cline

emilyvcline@gmail.com