My Epilogue: I want to thank all that commented. There were a few comments (10, most ever) and all were positive and well taken. However, the scant numbers did confirmed my market penetration and reader apathy.
I am going to continue with my "Public Transgender Life" - resolute. Visibility and defiance are our best defenses against bullies. I am also going to continue to be a public advocate for our community. It has taken me 76+ years to get to this place.
GO BACK - HELL NO!
There are a few post I have in my que that are non-political that you may find interesting. Rather than let those go un-posted, you will see a few more post over the next few weeks. I want to close out the blog with 8 million views, and I am close.
I will not shut down the blog. It will remain as a legacy effort and may be useful for new transgender individuals doing research.
Rhonda, Your posts and blog have been so important to me.. I would not take these past days as a representation of your following necessarily. Many individuals have gone dark or on the other end have been consumed with text chats or other among friends and family etc as we as we digest the results and implications. Nonetheless- your blogging - content and consistency has been amazing..it is in my view is an anchor for many of us in the transgender community.❤️❤️❤️❤️- Pamela
ReplyDeletePLEASE DON'T STOP POSTING! Your sight is one of many that i look at and read on a daily basis. I enjoy reading about those that are living their life to the fullest while some of us are still somewhat in hiding. Seeing you out helps others like myself to venture out. Again, please keep posting.
ReplyDeletePLEASE DO NOT CLOSE OUT.... YOU ARE NEEDED.... EVERY SOLDIER THAT QUITS THE FRONT LINE WEAKENS THE LINE>>> YOU ARE 70 something I am in my 80 still going strong. The more I read of our personal stories the more convinced many of the male population sensed they had female "geans ?' but chose/had to surpress them due to socitial norms however by mid life- 50 or so the urge to explore their other half ascerted themselves again and we accepted their presence and have chosen to enjoy them having completed all the obligations that our male gender required. Now lets have somefun being a girl. We are not hurting anyone. Marie Anne
ReplyDeleteRhonda, please don't take the number of comments as an indication of reader apathy or a reflection upon the significance of your blog to so many people. As noted in another comment, we are all in shock and panicked trying to figure out how all this has come to happen and what it means for our existence. Many of us had to turn away from news and social media for the past few days for our own mental health. It felt like another blow to see you and Stana decide to go dark. Now more than ever, we need community, to know we are not alone again, like we had been for so so many years before the internet. You and Stana have both provided that community and connectedness, even while in our own lives we may remain closeted and isolated. It was always a joy to take a few minutes each day to visit with you and gain some inspiration, or ideas, or simply take pleasure in seeing you out and about representing our community so proudly. In these very dark and ominous days, I feel like we need you and Stana and the other bloggers, more than ever, to help us get through this together. I can only imagine the time commitment that is required to produce content every day, and if you feel personally for your own well being it is time to step away, then thank you for all you have done for all of us and I wish you safety and joy in all the coming days. But if you can find it within yourself to continue just a bit longer to provide a light in all this darkness, you will be helping so many. And hopefully in the process, you will benefit by finding purpose and fulfillment from providing this public service to your community.
ReplyDeleteIt is so sad to see you go. Your commentary will be missed by me and many others, I suspect. You keep doing you. Your public advocacy is a blessing to us all, especially in a state run by confused judgmental people that do not understand what they are fighting against. I can only hope that one or more of these people will have an interaction with you, and realize how dangerous, selfish, and unloving they are to attack marginalized groups. I wish you all the best. -Peace.
ReplyDeleteDear Rhonda. Please reconsider your decision to no longer post on your blog. I read your blog every morning and on Sunday, I read your blog before I read anything else. You and others (like Stana) are an inspiration to crossdressers and transpersons. You have educated many into changing their minds about us, in particular your interactions with your Alma Mater and the residents of Palm Beach. Our community needs you to continue to tell us of your life to counter lies and disinformation.
ReplyDeleteLike many who read your blog, I have never commented before. I apologize for this. I now understand that I need to respond to those bloggers that I read to let them know that they are appreciated. Your views and your insights are important and valued and I for one would miss them.
We tell members of the military, “Thank you for your service.” To you and the other outspoken members of our community I say, “Thank you for your service.”
Wishing you the best. Diana
Please stay don’t go! Like the song said I get down on my knees for you. I’m a guy that wears women’s underwear and pants everyday. Maybe not a true crossdresser but addicted to your blog.
ReplyDeleteperhaps the political piece of your blog was not what people were looking for-they were already exposed to tons of it from other sources. also urge you to pick up Saturday's Wall Street Journal. Lengthy article re how TG became an issue in the race. But also those quoted as well as other sources I've read debunked the fear that we are in some kind of danger. The consensus I picked up was live and let live except for the sports issue
ReplyDeleteThank you, Rhonda, for many years of education and entertainment in a topic dear to my heart. Hopefully, in the future, you will be able to re-commence. Vivien.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rhonda - you were a high point in my daily life. Diane
ReplyDeleteDear Rhonda,
ReplyDeleteI have been reading your blog for a long time and appreciate you and what you have done, more than you can know and that I can say. I'm a bit slow getting to this posting; I've been away. And, more generally, I seem to have a little less time now for for reading and participating in "social media." However, when I return home I always scroll back to peek at what you have been thinking about. The number of blog pages that I visit has shrunk a ton. For me, it is about time and gradually becoming evermore confident about who I am. Still, when I do take a moment, your blog is always the first that I open!
I cannot over emphasize how important your blog has been for my journey. Years ago, I wrote you a heartfelt message detailing some of this, as best I could. You responded in such an appreciative way. I don't expect you to remember this after all this time, but it is an affirmation of and incredible personal moment that we shared. And, I expect there are a lot of people who have had similar experiences. You have been important beyond words. And, nearing 8 million views does, in itself, speak volumes.
Now, after all these years, I can empathize with the fatigue that comes with being such a loyal poster. Being a blogger or a blog participant is just not in my genes and as a result, I'm in awe of what you've done for all of us. Still, if you are tired, I respect what you've done; you've earned a rest. Selfishly I want you to stay and would be extraordinarily happy if you continued.
With hugs and much love,
Bobbi
Welcome back! Thanks for the daily smile, daily insight, and many times, both at the same time!
ReplyDeleteRhonda,
ReplyDeleteThe day we have to shut down our blogs will be a sad one. I chronicle my life in both boy and girl modes on my blog, and like you, I am easily identified. I make sure I have options in case the worst happens. Our best defense against that is to remain visible, so that we are seen by many as normal people, and get help from the majority of people who are against this Christo-Fascist regime that Trump, his plutocrat donors, and his ignorant proletarian supporters are trying to set up.
Many of us who have not had "the operation" can go stealth. But that can not protect us for long if the powers that be want to persecute us. So, we have to use our remaining powers wisely, to simply buy time until the public is tired of the chaos this coming administration will deliver.
As for me, I like the idea of having multiple passports as a "just in case". Too bad that people fleeing the Holocaust didn't have this option.
M