Our topic: focus on the transgender group in SL ,explore the deeper meaning of gender and ask the question "is SL a paradise for TG group?" which means that SL provides a better environment than RL. Since in SL, the boundary of gender is blurred, we want to do a survey to examine what TG group think their identity is.
This is our information sheet
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:
Subtopic I: the reasons they choose to be transgender in SL
1. Do you choose to be transgender out of fun or interest?
2. Are you led by others to come here or by yourself?
3. If it is out of fun, what fun can you get from it?
After our discussion, we think that we oversimplify the issue of gender in SL. And it’s difficult to ask them questions because we might not easily tell their gender through the appearance of the avatar and ask further questions.
After our discussion, we think that we oversimplify the issue of gender in SL. And it’s difficult to ask them questions because we might not easily tell their gender through the appearance of the avatar and ask further questions.
Subtopic II: comparison of transgender culture in SL & RL
1. What do you think about the present transgender situations in RL?
2. What do you think about the present transgender situations in SL?
3. What are your daily activities in SL?
4. Apart from the activities here, do you take part in other activities with people who are not transgender?
In the virtual world of SL, people don’t need to worry about the tag that people think who they are. They could just socialize with people freely.
Subtopic III: existing problems
1. Have you ever encountered any kind of embarrassment because of who you are? What’s your reaction towards those embarrassments?
Interview place: Transgender Resource Center in SL
Emily Spieler: I’m 45 in August. I think that TG is the most narccistic group on earth .In SL I just stick to people and not worry what tag they have or think they have .My point is that we go through some issues that are not very easy to understand even for some of us. And August is my 2 yr anni for coming out, and that 1st year of marraige went by fast too
Belunar Drake: I am a MTF person, hermaphrodite mentally and spiritually. If your looking at SL instead of TG, that’s a bit different…I consider SL to be a way to socialise, a way to be creative when the mood strikes, maybe at times a way to relax when I’m not in the mood to play computer or console games…I feel more accepted here than I do IRL at times; people seem less likely to judge here than RL. Sometimes I feel that it is because the average person on this planet is ignorant, closed minded, intolerant of anything outside of average
Mnemi Falodir: I am TG in real life; but I won’t emphasize and say I’m also a TG in SL. Of course, I feel more relaxed in TG Resources or some clubs because I could meet friends they are the same as me and get some advice. I am essentially a woman who unfortunately was born male genetically. Real life is often tough on us, more so than the so called average public. We are an unaccepted unique class of people which are often wrongfully treated. SL we can be who we were meant to without ever receiving the hardships. Plus, if someone has an issue with me, I love the ability to mute. I am accepted here, irl people would rather I not exist. The majority of us just wanna be seen as normal, feel normal, society doesn't want that. TG is a term for all people with gender related issues not trans specifically. It's not how someone will look at me, so much is how I am treated and potentially abused. In my case my unacceptance by which my family refuses to accept what is and their attempt to "cure" the virus. Imagine if someone were to tell you, you were a guy, and you had to marry a woman, be a man, join the military, or be casted out.
Belunar Drake: I am a MTF person, hermaphrodite mentally and spiritually. If your looking at SL instead of TG, that’s a bit different…I consider SL to be a way to socialise, a way to be creative when the mood strikes, maybe at times a way to relax when I’m not in the mood to play computer or console games…I feel more accepted here than I do IRL at times; people seem less likely to judge here than RL. Sometimes I feel that it is because the average person on this planet is ignorant, closed minded, intolerant of anything outside of average
Mnemi Falodir: I am TG in real life; but I won’t emphasize and say I’m also a TG in SL. Of course, I feel more relaxed in TG Resources or some clubs because I could meet friends they are the same as me and get some advice. I am essentially a woman who unfortunately was born male genetically. Real life is often tough on us, more so than the so called average public. We are an unaccepted unique class of people which are often wrongfully treated. SL we can be who we were meant to without ever receiving the hardships. Plus, if someone has an issue with me, I love the ability to mute. I am accepted here, irl people would rather I not exist. The majority of us just wanna be seen as normal, feel normal, society doesn't want that. TG is a term for all people with gender related issues not trans specifically. It's not how someone will look at me, so much is how I am treated and potentially abused. In my case my unacceptance by which my family refuses to accept what is and their attempt to "cure" the virus. Imagine if someone were to tell you, you were a guy, and you had to marry a woman, be a man, join the military, or be casted out.
I got much information after interviewing and knew that every November 20, there is an international Transgender Day for Remembrance to memorize their brothers and sisters who died because they were trans. Many of them are those who were driven to suicide because family, friends, or society would not allow them to be their true selves.Through this interview I found that TG people actually are very friendly to answer my questions. But when asking questions, sometimes we should be very careful...For one example, I talked to one TG friend that parents all wanted their children to be normal. Then she argued what the definition of "normal" is with me. I think it is still very difficult to stand in the shoes of them because I am not a transgender person and all I can do is try to realize them and respect them. After all, I think we should all treat those people friendly and don't criticize them harshly and respect their own choices and their rights to live.
Useful information: http://sl-tg.blogspot.com/
