On Friday the 2nd of March 2018, Jane Fae, a libertarian journalist visited The Knights Templar School to talk about her life, career, and Transition into womanhood.
Arguably, that opening sentence is incorrect, as Jane was always a woman, even if she didn’t realize it until much later on. This is something that she identified as one of her regrets; not Transitioning sooner.
The students were timid at first when she first entered the room, unsure what the correct initial social response should be. However, after Jane apologised for her somewhat “whispery voice”, and began talking about her life- the students soon warmed to her presence.
The Guardian refers to Jane; as “- a feminist and writer on issues of political and sexual liberty.”[1] However Jane was not always a writer. After taking a degree in psychology, she entered the field of metallurgy, helping out with meetings between buyers and producers to ensure everyone got what they expected. She described life as a “stumble”, moving from one place to another, focusing on the present and not worrying about the future- simply moving in whatever direction seemed best at the time.
After this, she discussed the realization- and coming to terms with- her new gender identity. Jane was once interviewing another Trans person, and found herself keen to ask many questions that were off-record, irrelevant to the subject at hand. Eventually, the interviewee asked her; ‘why you are so interested, are you Trans?’. Jane described her reaction as an “Oh my god” moment. She went on to describe how even as a child she had always misunderstood men, from PE, to general social interactions, she could not identify a time she felt secure within a male environment. Then she described how in school she always preferred talking to girls, not to flirt, but just because it felt more natural.
Jane also explained the struggle in having to come out to her family and friends. Her sister being one of the hardest “mountains to climb”, and her brother; accepting it instantly. “Ok, you’re my sister now” Jane paraphrased. I identify with Jane’s brother, even though sometimes I forget to use the wrong pronouns with Trans people (luckily with Jane, I did not), It does not tend to bother me when someone decides to be different, or express themselves differently.
I asked Jane why she thought people were threatened by Transsexuality. She begun by saying “the same reason why people are racist, homophobic and anti-Semitic”, which didn’t really help because I didn’t understand any of those other things either; but then she moved on to suggest an interesting point I have never considered. Aside the influence of religion, the resistance to change, the fear of being one, and the fear of “traps” (when a straight person is attracted to someone who appears to be the opposite gender but is the same)- Jane also mentioned TERFS (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists) and the far right.
Apparently, it is believed by some TERFS that Trans people are a conspiracy to undermine feminism organised by the US military to inject men into the female movement so it can be destroyed from the inside. Or at least, this was the most ridiculous theory Jane had heard. Others simply believe Trans people are ‘putting it on’ to push some secret political agenda. I had never considered that hatred could be sourced from such paranoid delusions- or at least- not in the modern day.
Jane finished by mentioning how our generation being incredibly lucky we live in such a liberal, accepting time. I found this strange to hear, considering all that’s happening in the world. However, after hearing some of Jane’s stories of the aggression she has experienced (which are too heavy to put in a school article), I am reminded once again that; even though society could do much better, society was once far, far worse.
This brings me full circle back to Jane’s regret of not transitioning sooner. She joked about maybe one day being a seventy-year-old Trans, liberal, feminist grandmother; who gives advice to all the gender questioning kids using her accumulated experience. I don’t think that Jane realizes how important this is. In a time where Trans people are emerging into acceptance for (most probably) the first time In history, her stories would be more than helpful to the Trans youth of today. Had Jane been born maybe 40 years from now, she would have been “just another Trans reporter”. Maybe Jane would prefer to be referenced in this way, as opposed to being called “a tranny” or “just not right”- but it is Janes struggle that defines her impact on history. Jane may not think it (or maybe she’s just modest), but by being one of the first to come out at such a difficult time in history, she has paved the way of acceptance for all Trans people of the future.
So in case no one’s told you this yet Jane, thank you. Thank you for your struggle, so that our generation doesn’t have to.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/profile/jane-fae