Roddie Lee Kingsfield, a transgender woman who moved to Osoyoos from Texas, said she’s mostly found love and acceptance in this community. The United Church, she said, has been especially accepting, allowing her to assist in carrying out communion. (Contributed photo)
There is an old saying that many people believe about towns, even small towns: “Small town-small minds.”
The difficulty with having a “small mind set” is it often comes along with a mean-spirited heart and cruel behaviours.
In my 30 years working as a professional social worker and family-wellness counsellor, I have worked all over the province of B.C. and have lived in many communities big and small.
Communities are like people – they demonstrate unique personalities and characters. I have had the great fortune of living in big-hearted towns and the misfortune of living in cruel and mean-hearted towns.
All my life, I knew from the time I was very young that I was not a male. I was a little girl and a strong woman, even though all indications visually were that I was a man.
I have wanted to “fully come out” all my life, but was too afraid to do so. Long before I was aware of the transgender community or what it stood for, I believed I was a transgender woman.
I started to come out partially in Calgary, although my family did not know it. I was and am a conservative Christian woman and the church I grew up in would never have accepted me.
For hundreds of years, the trans community, especially trans women have always “hidden in plain sight.” What does hiding in plain sight mean? It means you are a snowflake in the middle of a blizzard.
But this is profoundly changing. I am one of a new breed of trans persons that proudly displays their trans-ness. I moved to Osoyoos upon the urging of my best girlfriend. I have four very close straight women who are like sisters to me. And a wonderfully loving adoptive family.
Upon moving to Osoyoos from Dallas, Texas, I found that Osoyoos was an amazing little town, a special town, filled with love and acceptance. Except for three macho hatemongering men and two vitriolic women at a local fitness centre, I have found the people of Osoyoos to be very kind and loving.
It has been this truth that touched my heart. After 25 years of abandoning attending church because of the way the gay, lesbian and trans community has been treated, I started a few months ago to attend the United Church. The love and caring they have shown me is nothing short of amazing, astonishing.
I have been asked to help out with communion. Visualize this, a tattooed trans woman assisting in carrying out communion. This one act of love, trust and acceptance has forever changed my heart.
And to all the Osoyoos people who have stopped to talk to me and encourage me, even hug me, my deepest thanks and gratitude. You are indeed the little town that could.
RODDIE LEE KINGSFIELD
Special to the Times
