Come with me on my commute! What's a typical Wednesday for a transgender woman?

I was wanting to do something a little less formal and serious for a bit - a way for you to get to know me a little better!
While this channel is for me to talk about my experience as a transgender woman, it occurs to me that I only talk about this. Maybe this gives the impression that this is all there is about me.
That is certainly not true!
So in this video I'll take you on my commute and then through the rest of my typical Wednesday in Warsaw.
If there's anything more you would like to know about me; ask in the comments section: I'm an open book 😊
For those who are more interested in the serious stuff, don't worry - normal service will resume very soon!
Thank you everyone and see you in the comments section ❤️😊✌️

[@Doctorblom]

Having long hair doesn't make you a woman.

[@Andy_trans_education]

Well no that’s true, and I don’t make that assertion anywhere. You can’t reduce a gender down to one or even several features.
I wonder what it would take for people like yourself to accept transgender folk?

[@JohnM-sz5ud]

@@Andy_trans_education Why do you need to be accepted? Accept yourself?? Or is that what the real issue is?

[@Andy_trans_education]

Hi 😀
I had originally planned to touch on these points in a response to the first comment, but it felt like I’d be repeating myself as I’ve discussed this regularly on my channel.
But here goes again!
First of all self-acceptance is the most important thing; and I have accepted myself for who I am. I feel wonderful for doing so and it’s made a huge difference to my mental health and the way I live my life.
As for the acceptance of others, it’s important especially when it comes to safety and respect. I’d hope that people on my life respect who I am (and so far that’s largely true). But if the wider society fail to respect trans folk like myself, at best we face questions and comments like the original one. At worst it’s violence.
So back to my question - and I don’t really think I’ll get an honest answer by the way - what will it take to gain acceptance from those who don’t accept us? I suppose there’ll be a vague answer about “not invading women’s spaces”, or “not forcing people to call you X”. But, as I’ve said elsewhere I don’t do either but it doesn’t help.
Oh well. Maybe you can shed some light on it?

[@simonbridgman9948]

I pray that you will stop this madness before it’s too late! May god guide you, you are beautiful and loved as you are, you need not change!

[@Andy_trans_education]

Hi,
Thanks for your comment.
I completely agree with your last point - I am loved for who I am. And who I am is a transgender woman. And I am loved.
I am loved by my family and I am loved by my friends. But most importantly, I am loved by myself.
Also, and I suppose this might be hard for you to hear but it’s worth saying, if God is truly the God who created everything, then he would have created trans folk too. We have existed throughout history. I have always been trans. If your God truly loved humanity, he loves me as well.
I hope you have a wonderful weekend, Andy 😀❤️✌️

[@qwertyqwertz2802]

@@Andy_trans_educationthis reply is so calm and respectful. I really applaud your ability to stay calm in the face of comments like this one. I’d lose it if someone so casually questioned my identity like that. Stay strong, be yourself, and thank you for the great video!

[@Andy_trans_education]

Thank you for your kind comment ❤️
I suppose the way I see it is they aren't necessarily directing their comments at me as such - and you can tell that because they will only very rarely mention something I've said in the video or elsewhere.
They're often lashing out at the idea of trans folk; at something 'new' in the world (despite, as I said, us not being new at all): it's change, which is always scary and often frustrating - especially if you feel you have no control over that change and you believe it to impact on your life. Maybe they can see that through a respectful dialogue they have nothing to fear from us.
I mean you also get your common or garden bigots out here as well, and it can be hard to distinguish them from the first group, but it becomes clear who they are pretty quickly.
All I can do is try and put a human voice to trans folk. I'm wary about speaking for all trans folk because there is no way I can represent everyone, but I try to make a good impression.
I hope you find these videos interesting and informative and I hope to see you around again soon 😊
Have a wonderful weekend, Andy 😊 ❤️ ✌️

[@marti7343]

Andy, nice video. I live in Belgrade Serbia, so some of our experiences of being trans in Eastern Europe are probably similar. Perfect length for the video. Keep up the good work! 😁❤

[@Andy_trans_education]

Thank you, and it’s great to see you again ❤️😀
I’m sure there are plenty of similarities. I’ve never been to Serbia, but I heard great things about it. Would you say it seems similar to Warsaw based in this video?

[@craigjohn1660]

It’s so sad to see the small minded opinions of the minority voiced so loudly on here.
You are a brave and courageous woman. Keep being you. ❤️

[@Andy_trans_education]

Thank you for your kind comment.
Yes indeed it’s a loud minority and it doesn’t get me down. I think it’s important to show that trans folk are not afraid and won’t be bullied off a platform.
Also I think it’s important to show there’s little validity or substance to their arguments.
Have a great weekend ❤️✌️

[@craigjohn1660]

@@Andy_trans_education You are doing a great job. I also work in education as a teacher and I try my best everyday to instil tolerance and acceptance in others.
I live in hope that the world will catch up eventually. And it is thanks to people like you which will help us get there much quicker. Keep being you. ❤️

[@Andy_trans_education]

Thank you ❤️
It's tough out there and we can only affect change on the world around us a little at a time. It sounds like you're doing a wonderful job; education is essential to furthering everyone's understanding and each small act of kindness and learning makes a difference drop by drop.
I have faith that things will improve, but sometimes it can be hard to see the dawn approaching when there is still so much to be done.
Thanks again; your comment has made my weekend! 😊 ❤️

[@NoEvidenceForGod]

Why? I think it's great. Let them put their bigoted bullshit on full display for all to see. It's only a negative thing if you care about the opinions of primitive, low IQ rednecks. All the best :)

[@Andy_trans_education]

...but the problem is some people are affected by those comments which is why I find it difficult to moderate this space.
On the one hand I see value in exposing and responding to some of the least worst comments. I have a pretty thick skin and I don't let these people get me down. I want to show that their comments are pretty easily debunked (I mean if I can do it... I'm no one special) and for a 'neutral' 3rd party I - and by extension trans folk - seem measured and respectful at the very least. Maybe I can at least trigger some thoughts. Which is what you're getting at in your reply.
But I know how wounded my trans siblings are, and I don't want to expose them to the worst of the comments to keep this place safe. They might see their family, friends, colleagues, neighbours, pastors, whoever in those comments and be reminded of the hardships they face. It's a tough balancing act
And also to be fair, those negative comments are not from "low IQ rednecks." Transphobia can come for all types of people - most of which claim at least to not be transphobic at all. Many seem at least to not want to be labelled as such, which suggests an understanding that it's bad to be a transphobe (which is kind of progress I guess).
Obviously I'm no fan of transphobes or their perspectives - I don't want to defend them. But if we label and dismiss them as 'idiot rednecks', you give them the power to say "look! we're being dismissed and marginalised!" (as ridiculous as that seems). It means we're making the mistake of not taking the threat they pose seriously - because it is literally life and death - and we can see evidence of this in the rise of Trump, Brexit, and other populist politics. If we recognise and appeal to the humanity in them - because they are people; anyone can fall into bad patterns of thinking - then that takes away some of the power they might feel they have. If they feel listened to and not just shouted down or dismissed as stupid cranks, maybe the moderates in that movement will lose their energy.
This isn't about backing down or finding 'the truth lies somewhere in the middle' or some such. Our right to exist, access life, and to be treated with dignity is non-negotiable. Sometimes we do need to throw bricks to be taken seriously. But I feel dealing with individuals needs a bit of nuance and understanding.
It's tough and I understand anyone who isn't interested in educating the wider populice. It takes so much time and energy and an understanding which is kind of troubling if you think about it (I mean, if *anyone* can be a transphobe, then *everyone* can). Trans folk do not owe anyone their activism; they have the absolute right to nope out of it. But I AM an educator; this is what I do. If I don't speak out and do something I know I would regret it later on if anything were to spiral.
Anyway, that's enough of a ramble on a Sunday morning; I'm off to yoga.
Take care, Andy ❤️ 😊 ✌️

[@ianchisy]

What hormone’s do you take?

[@Andy_trans_education]

Hi,
I talk about this a bit more in my “5 months on hormones” video, but I’m on one thing to block testosterone and another to provide oestrogen.
It’s only been a short time on them but I’ve found out to be psychologically amazing.
Thanks and have a great weekend when I comes!