On January 29, 2010, in St.Petersburg there was held the first seminar of The LGBT Psychological Center on transgender and transsexuality issues.

The seminar “Meeting Robin: Myths and Facts on Transsexuality” was organized like a talk-show: all participants sat in a circle and asked their questions to Robin, FtM transsexual,. Everyone had a chance to see different aspects of transsexuality from the point of view of a person who had undergone sex-change.

The questions differed but the most frequent one was this: “What do we have in common and what are our common problems?”

Lesbians, gays, bisexuals know very little about  transsexuality though all of them are included into the abbreviation LGBT. LGB and T are often separated in the battle for rights. During the discussion it became obvious that:
- both LGB and T’s rights are violated on the state level;
- homophobia and transphobia demonstrated by our society is our common problem;
- it takes a lot of effort to stand up for one’s sexuality and gender-identity - both for homosexuals and transsexuals.

Robin also tried to help those of the participants who came asking a question: “Am I transsexual?” and some of them left the seminar with the conclusion that “I understand now that, maybe, I do not have this overwhelming desire to change my sex as Robin said. Maybe it is something else.” Maria Sabunaeva, the leader of the seminar, confirmed that it really could be “something else”: there are about 7-8 types of transgender including transsexuals, bi-genders, a-genders, inter-sexuals, transvestites, shemales etc. Not all of them need to change their sex to feel good and to acquire the desirable sex- or gender-identity. Only transsexuals need that, which was also confirmed by Robin: “You have to understand that this is not a question of personal choice! This is the only possible solution: you either have your real sex or no life at all”. He sounded very plausible especially considering the suicide statistics among transsexuals (more than 80%!).

Instead of the planned two hours the seminar lasted three. The Audience did not want to stop discussion and went on asking new questions. “How did you like it?” - we asked Robin after the event. “I told so little…I wanted to share so much more!” Nevertheless the amount of information received at the seminar was huge! We agreed that this event was only a start of our work in education on transgender issues.

One more thing: if you have any questions on transsexuality Robin is ready to answer them in the group of The LGBT Psychological Center at http://vkontakte.ru/club8340586

Translated by Anastasia Lobanova