Monika: How would you describe the current situation of transgender women in British society?
Jessie: There have been a lot of changes here in the past decade or so. As an American in Great Britain (this is the third time I’ve lived over here since 1997), I certainly wouldn’t presume to speak from a British perspective, but my overall impression is that the social and legal status of transgender women (and men) has improved, whereas the medical community lags behind the States and much of Europe. The National Health Service remains about a decade behind the curve in terms of progressive, inclusive, and respectful policies towards trans and gender-variant clients/patients.
Monika: Do you expect that gap in healthcare to close anytime soon?
Jessie: The old guard will have to hand over the baton sooner or later to doctors and administrators with a more normalized and diversified perspective on what defines gender, sex, and identity, meaning stereotyping and “gatekeeping” methodology will be replaced by something more fluid and individualistic. I’m a big supporter overall of the NHS and am therefore very acutely aware of its failings in this area, though there have been some improvements. They can certainly learn something from the politicians and legal system in this regard.
Monika: Some people say transgenderism is the new frontier for human rights. Would you agree?
Jessie: Absolutely, and it has been for a long while, although admittedly overshadowed by the larger LGB communities. The past decade has seen a remarkable amount of change, although it’s really only the tip of the iceberg. Some of the changes have been a part of the LGBT, etc. umbrella (same-sex marriage), but others, such as the changes to passports in the US, UK, and some European countries, have had real effects on immigration and travel concerns. The U.S. has a long way to go in terms of states’ (and further federal) rights for trans/gender-variant people, and when we look outside of parts of South America and Europe, the picture still appears very grim.
Monika: Politics is where much of that change happens. Are you active in it, perhaps through lobbying campaigns, and can transgender women genuinely make a difference there?
Jessie: Transgender women and men are already making a huge difference in politics, and I see things only progressing in that area as time goes on. I’m hoping there will also be increased representation for minority transgender women and men, as they face heightened difficulties and decreased access to public and political forums. As regards my own political activity, I would say my input has been more in terms of my therapy work, lecturing, and teaching. While I sign petitions and sometimes contribute to the debate on political issues and campaigns, my primary interest has been educating the psychological, psychiatric, and medical professions in terms of trans awareness. I’ve lectured at universities, high schools, mental health facilities, and non-profits, as well as in the press, and on radio and television. Working at LAGLC opened me up a lot to the sociopolitical aspects of my chosen field, and I hope to participate more actively in the future.
Monika: Tell me about the role love plays in your life.
Jessie: Love is absolutely essential both in terms of my private life and my professional work. On a personal level, I am married to a wonderful transwoman with whom I have been together for 11 years, although we were only finally able to marry last year following the Supreme Court’s far-too-close 5-4 decision(s) for marriage equality. As concerns the workplace, the fact that I love the work I do and am able to find something to love in every person I work with is central to keeping me present as a therapist. I love my kitty cats too!
Monika: Fashion is a language of its own. Do you enjoy it, and what do you usually wear? Any favorite designers, colors, or trends?
Jessie: I do appreciate fashion. Perhaps I remain a bit of a 1960s child in terms of my love for color (having dyed my strawberry-blonde hair black a decade ago) and striking juxtapositions, but I’m also quite happy in jeans and a nice, comfortable blouse. In the cold months here in London, it’s all about an attractive but practical jacket, though perhaps because I lived in Los Angeles for so many years, I’ve never been a fan of long-sleeve outfits, as I tend to heat up like a furnace!
Monika: Are there any new projects on the horizon?
Jessie: There’s always that book everybody keeps telling me to write! My wife and I are considering the possibility of moving back to Los Angeles now that we are finally legally able to do so (she’s Italian), and so there may be some big changes coming up, but nothing I can really discuss at this point.
Monika: Many transgender women choose to write a memoir. Has that idea ever tempted you?
Jessie: I’m not sure I’d choose to write a straight-out memoir, but something that combined my personal and professional experiences has always interested me, because I have been fortunate enough to be in the unique position of bearing witness to literally hundreds of separate stories from trans and gender-variant people. Therefore, perhaps an expansion on the Counter-Transference pamphlet I wrote a decade ago might be the way to go.
Monika: What comes next for you, and where do you see yourself in the next 5-7 years?
Jessie: I have dealt with some chronic neck and back pain issues and haven’t been able to work as much as I would have liked in the past 5 years, but thanks to various surgeries, a great NHS pain clinic, and other factors, I am physically the healthiest I’ve been in a long while and hope to become more actively involved in the community on both a personal and professional level once again.
Monika: What advice would you give to transgender girls who are struggling with gender dysphoria?
Jessie: First and foremost, don’t isolate. Secondly, embrace who you know yourself to be. Try to find others going through similar circumstances and don’t be afraid to seek out professional help. I became a therapist to help other trans/gender-variant, LGB, etc. folks because of how much therapy helped get me through the transition process.
Seeing a psychologist or psychiatrist is not an admission of there being something wrong with being transgender, simply a practical and direct means of dealing with the difficulties, both internal and external, that come with coming out and transitioning. Obviously, a trans-aware therapist is always going to be the way to go if you can find one where you live.
Also, the internet, if utilized correctly, can be a remarkable tool, and there is a lot more high-quality literature on the subject out there now than there was a decade or two ago.
Monika: Jessie, thank you for the interview!
END OF PART 2
All the photos: courtesy of Jessie Jacobson.
© 2014 - Monika Kowalska
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