Monika: So you were not worried about your family?
My family for the most part was tolerant but I feared that they may be embarrassed or ridiculed because of my transition. For that reason, I protected them and never “dressed” when I came for a visit.
Without a doubt, the hardest thing was to reconcile myself before God. I was raised in a very strict southern Pentecostal church and this kind of thing was clearly on the wrong side of the gospel line between Heaven and Hell.
I never got spiritual peace about transitioning during my transition and in fact it was only after extensive personal Bible study and writing my book that I began to believe in the security of my salvation and God’s plan for my life.
Monika: Have you recently read or watched any interesting book or event/film about transgenderism?
Bobbie: Not really. I rarely watch TV and I gather my news/ current events from surfing the web and talk radio. However, I have followed the news surrounding Kristen Beck. I deeply admire the courage that she has in stepping out and showing the world that being trans is not about men who have failed or was not validated as a man. She has demonstrated to us all that gender identification is deeper than appearance, traditional masculine gender-compliant interests and activities.
Monika: The transgender cause is usually manifested together with the other LGBT communities. Being the last letter in this abbreviation, is the transgender community able to promote its own cause within the LGBT group?
Bobbie: There is certainly strength in numbers but personally I prefer quality over quantity or in this case focus over numbers. The needs of the trans community in many ways exceed the needs of the LGB community.
Meggan Sommerville said it very well in her interview that “the LBG community is not being denied access to the gender appropriate restroom” and “the LGB individuals can now openly serve this country in the military where transgender individuals must continue to hide or be discharged”. I believe these needs are so unique that they need to be targeted outside of the umbrella of the LGBT movement.
Monika: Is there anyone in the US transgender society whose actions could be compared to what Harvey Milk was doing in the 60s and 70s for gay activism?
Bobbie: Oh there are a few who have been elected from city councils to state legislators and each has made gains in the way we perceive our politicians. Currently in the news is Lauren Scott who in June 2014 won the Republican nomination for the Nevada Assembly earning 58% of the vote. If she wins in the November election she will become the first openly transgender state legislator to serve in the United States.
Ms. Scott has been an activist for transgender issues since 2003. In 2007 she traveled to Washington DC to take part in the “Transgender Lobby Days” sponsored by the National Center for Transgender Equality. There are many names that are noteworthy. Kim Coco Iwamoto of Hawaii, Althea Garrison of Mass., and closer to my Colorado home, Joanne Conte to name a few.
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| Bobby aboard her sailboat "Persistence". |
Monika: Are you active in politics? Do you participate in any lobbying campaigns? Do you think transgender women can make a difference in politics?
Bobbie: I am active in politics in the fact that I know the issues and I vote. I am not a one-issue voter in that no politician can win my favor on every issue. I do not vote party lines but I select the candidate that values and preserves the constitution as the living document it is.
The candidate of my choice will be conservative on fiscal responsibility and listen to the voters and what they want. I do believe transgender women can make a difference in politics just as Ms. Loren Scott is doing in Nevada. We need many more such women.
Monika: Could you tell me about the importance of love in your life?
Bobbie: Love is extremely important in my life. I have a cis female life partner of nearly 19 years and we are very happy together. Her name is Kate and she is the love of my life. Thank you for asking and giving me the opportunity to express the significance she is in my life.
Monika: Are you working on any new projects now?
Bobbie: Yes. I have an active blog called Bobbie Lang and Transgender Christians in Chains. Through it, I try to bridge the gap between the denominational church and the LGBT community. It is mostly targeted to the church to present a different viewpoint that many LGBT are not part of a group but are individuals and like everyone else, each with their own walk and each trying to find God’s plan for their life.
In addition, I am presently working on a new book. It hasn’t been assigned a name yet but it is a satire or account of the more amusing happenings in my transition and my 30-year walk as a woman. Look for it in 2015.
Monika: What would you recommend to all transgender girls struggling with gender dysphoria?
Bobbie: The foremost thing that I would highly recommend is to be certain of your need to transition. There are so many false positives that may lead you to believe that you are indeed born into the wrong anatomy. Be extremely careful of therapists that will tickle your itching ear and lead you into a decision that may have dire consequences. Seek God with all your heart and be certain that you have clearly heard His voice.
Monika: Bobbie, thank you for the interview!
Bobbie: Thank you again for having me, Monika.
END OF PART 2
All the photos: courtesy of Bobbie Lang.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
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