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Convention defines genders — expectations and assumptions, truths that refuse to bend. The roles of women and men are as specific as they are narrow: crafted long ago, forced to remain even as the centuries yielded progress. Definitions are limiting. Rules are carefully maintained. And the result is a society that refuses to accept anything less than ordinary.

The public can survive such scrutiny. An individual, however, can’t. And those with transgender identities deserve the chance to express themselves.

The notion of transgender individuals often baffles. Its meanings are obscure; its purpose is often mistranslated. And what remains is a term that’s too often tossed about without understanding. Recognizing what it represents is essential, however — this is the only way to gain acceptance for it.

Simply explained, transgender is the label offered to those who defy traditional roles. Masculine and feminine traits are exchanged with ease; and personalities shape these individuals, rather than their assigned sexes. They don’t try to reconstruct their bodies (through surgery or medication). Instead they remain as they were born — but simply refuse to conform to what is expected of them.

It’s estimated that one in every 30,000 men is transgender, along with one of every 100,000 women. These numbers suggest a frequency that is often disregarded within the public — all of whom are too quick to assume that sexual identities are definite. It’s important to understand that this lifestyle is not rare and that it deserves recognition. Refusing to admit its existence is without purpose or compassion.