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03/14/2019 12:01 AMMarch marks the 10th annual International Transgender Day of Visibility and the Henry Carter Hull Library will host Jillian Celentano, a high school instructor and transgender woman on Wednesday, March 27 at 6 p.m. for a discussion and questions about coming out and how to be a better ally to those who are coming out.
Celentano, 58, transitioned three years ago and is an advocate for the transgender community. She is an instructor for an LGBTQ after-school program at a high school in New Haven, and has organized a support group for transgender youth. She also is a counselor for trans youth and adults. She interns at the Yale Gender Program.
Difficult, Rewarding Journey
She says transgender topics are in the news more often these days and that there are often misconceptions and unanswered questions that should be addressed.
“Since my transition three years ago, I have had many interesting experiences, both positive and negative. This is a very difficult journey to take, but it’s also very rewarding,” she says. “Being an advocate is important to me because I quickly found out the lack of education there is on this subject, and a lack of education leads to fear, avoidance, and judgment. When people attend my talks, they realize I am just like everyone else.”
She says she wants people to know just how hard it can be for a trans person, and the challenges that are faced when transitioning.
“The fears of coming out to family, friends, and work, the negative view society has on trans people, and the discrimination and violence that occurs” are often an obstacle, she says. “You sacrifice a lot just to be your true authentic self.”
Many Wonderful People
She says gender expression is a person’s behavior, or mannerisms, or how they like to appear in their particular culture.
“It could be masculine, feminine, or in between. Gender identity is a person’s sense of being a particular gender...male, female, or a blend of both or neither,” she says. “What’s important to know is gender identity is what’s between our ears, not what’s between our legs. So many people get this confused. The other important thing to remember is gender identity and sexual orientation are totally separate...Remember LGB (lesbian, gay, bisexual) refers strictly to sexual orientation or attraction, where the ‘T’ refers strictly to gender, and has nothing to do with sexual orientation.”
She says she also wants to acknowledge there are so many wonderful people who are kind, loving, accepting and supportive.
“The key is to surround yourself with people like this,” she says.