Dallas Police Department breaks transgender barrier

Abraham, says:

I bet getting a sex change is kinda like when you "just gotta have that new car" or you "just gotta date that special person", but then you get it, and after a while, the thrill wears off, and then you want something else.

I saw a documentary about sex change operations and one of the doctors interviewed actually said "Many of my clients are not very satisfied with the vaginas that I consruct for them."

terryorze, says:

Readin the interview it seems like that most transgender people born men would be attracted to service with the police, and fire Department. I support the Dallas Police Department's decision and hope that this encourage many more transgender policeman to come out.

DocG, says:

"Go confidently in the Direction of your Dreams.
Live the life you have Imagined."
~Henry David Thoreau

Dear Deborah ~

Good Luck, my "Sister," in all your endeavors! I'm sure now, you are in harmony, with mind, body, & spirit.

Peace, Unequivocal Equality, & Solidarity ~

~Mekah Gordon, PhD, L. E.~ Pioneering, Frontier Renaissance Woman, & Visionary

Human Rights Advocate/Activist - Educator/Consultant - Freelance Writer-TG Issues - Santa Fe Regional Editor & Board Member/For The Normal Heart Newspaper - Member of the NMSPC {New Mexico Suicide Prevention Coalition}, Recipient, of the prestige's, "2007 Commitment to Care Award" from the Alliance for Gender Awareness - Full membership World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) Formerly known as the Harry Benjamin Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA), Board Member of the Emerald City Foundation/RainbowVision.

Founder/CEO ~ S. U. R. E. Foundation® SUREducation@aol.com

22 Juego Rd. Santa Fe, NM 87508-4298 505-466-4277

*In order to achieve the same rights, without compromise, there are NO other options, than Unequivocal Equality. ~ Mekah Gordon

*The word, "Tolerance," no matter how you bend it, twist it, or turn it inside out,"Reeks" of Discrimination. "RESPECT," however, eradicates implicitness for bigotry, hate, bias, & prejudice. ~Mekah Gordon

*No One on this planet, should ever have, or be granted the power, right, nor stand in judgment, of anyone's Basic Human Civil Rights, by enforcing through Constitutional Decree, or otherwise, whom one should love, and marry, NO ONE! ~Mekah Gordon

*It's the Tenacity, Persistence, Fortitude, & Faith, that's perennial, in those of us, who refuse to give up, in our pursuit for Unequivocal Equality, & Basic Human Civil Rights. ~Mekah Gordon

*Transitionally Speaking: Quotes, From a Pioneering, Frontier Renaissance Woman © 2007 Mekah Gordon, All Rights Reserved

RenaissanceGuy, says:

First of all, one doesn't normally think of - and this is not meant in any way as a slur - police departments in the south as being at all liberal. However, that being said, I'm thrilled to learn of the Dallas PD's stance on Officer Grabowski's transition and subsequent SRS. As a police officer with over 18 years experience as well as being someone who has dated and been engaged to a transsexual woman, I am well aware of the prejudices out there.

I felt I was in the minority in law enforcement, a liberal Democrat upholding the best traditions of that credo. In my early days on the job, I came across a young male crossdresser being harassed by some guys I had gone to school with. He went on his way, they went on theirs, but not before being issued several citations.

Years later, I had occasion to work as an investigator in a small town that had an alternative lifestyles nightclub. Several times a month, drag shows were held, and other nights were TG friendly nights. The initial reaction among the clientel when I either patrolled by or came in answer to a complaint was fear... but after explanations were exchanged, relief set in.

The issue isn't Deborah's transition or even her surgery, becoming a woman working in law enforcement. The real issue is a human being deserved of the dignity to which we all aspire. She is out there, on the street, laying her life on the line so that others may live free or die, to borrow from New Hampshire's state slogan.

To those of us in the job, we all bleed the same color... blue. To those of you outside the job, whom we're sworn to protect, serve and hear - whether we like it or not - think for a minute. Where would you be with these officers, gay and straight, black and white, Chicano and Asian, or born with a complete set of chromosomes or transgendered?

In a lot worse shape for my money!

Officer DC Pennsylvania

GeauxJanet, says:

Well said. It is personally encouraging to know there are police officers such as RenaissanceGuy patrolling our nation.

I'd love to see a movie documenting THIS story!

-Janet

dolcicakes, says:

It's not often I can say that I am proud of how we handle things in Dallas...Congratulations to Deborah and to the coworkers who have supported her.

DPDGUY, says:

I know this "person" It is a lie that one day she just came in to detail and said "hey I'm really a woman, any questions?" It was more like "hello, my name is Mr. XXXXX I'm Grabowski's attorney, She's going to be a woman now. If anyone says anything about it you will be sued." She's a liar and a disgrace to this department.

jtmbls, says:

Well there it is. The DPD we all know and love. I was very surprised to hear she had such a positive experience and more surprised to see her speaking out about it. The few officers I know would have a hey day with this. I would assume that to be the case in any fraternal organization though, not just police. Clearly her fellow officers were warned as was she to just shut the * up. I wonder how long that will last the more this gets publicized.

snowboard9, says:

Congratulations to her and courageous of her to come out in public.

VanessaTgL, says:

I was reading this article, and to me it was a very interesting experience to read about it specially after I read some of the comments on it.. Then When the comments started getting or turning Negative, that is where I got freaked out.. Why? Because me a 36 year old and a U.S. Marine Corps Veteran of 17 years, has and is going thru my own experience. I am also married and to my surprise the best and most support I am getting is coming from my lovely wife.

The problem that I have is that unlike Debbie here, I never expected to suddenly become or see me as Vanessa especially at my current age. I have always been a ladies man, very Masculine, and except for one fetish-crossdressing-funny occasion with my wife, I suddenly became extremely interested in crossdressing in November 2008, and shortly after quickly realize that it was a whole lot more then just dressing for me.

At first I was confuse, but slowly started to realize that the reason everything seem so natural for me was because am transgender. Even my wife is amaze on how natural I look and move for someone that has been at this for just a couple of months. The problem is that as I go further into things, I can only evolve to a certain point, been a US Marine is not helping the situation, and unfortunately, if I do come out to the open or the wrong person finds out about me, the first thing most people will assume is that am gay, when am not..

So as anyone can imagine, FEAR and the LACK of UNDERSTANDING is what concerns me. Am sure that I’m not the only one, and because the way some people react or could react, could make my life worst then it already is since am already feeling like I have to leave in a shoe box or else.. In the Military from what I know there is not specific rules about transgender people, so coming out to the open will KILL my career and keep me from been able to at least retired peacefully..

Funny thing is that as mention before, there are lots of people out there serving as Police Officers and Firemen who are transgender,, but there is hardly any mention about the GREEN side.. MILITARY individuals that are doing more then most people can imagine.. But anyways, I do wish Debbie well,, and I can only hope I will be able to face my destiny without worrying about been discriminated against and pushed to the side as a 2nd class citizen. I would feel like KRAP if after all I've done in my life and what I have done in the Military, in the end I get treated like sheeat just because there is no understanding.

I don’t expect any especial treatment, all I want is to be respected and be treated fairly.