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thefraj (imported) wrote: Mon Apr 02, 2007 5:35 am Everyone has been very nice so far. The complication is that one of my jobs is at a highschool. Some of the pupils have already told me they saw me on TV in the trailer already mentioned. This did worry me, as I'm sure - eventually - a parent will find out, and become (understandibly?) upset. Perhaps they are here reading these words now?

Fraj:

Of all the people who could be working with children, a hetero/non-sexual male I'd think would be one of the most non-threatening people to be around them. Nowdays we keep hearing reports of the 20/30-something female teacher having sex with teenage boys, or the (totally unfounded) stereotypical fear of the gay men and teenage boys. Are parents going to be worried that somehow you will try to recruit their sons into voluntarily having their balls off too? From what I know of teenage boys, most all of them seem

amm_uk (imported) wrote: Thu Apr 05, 2007 5:48 pm quite happy on keeping them right where they are.

Have watched the documentary on Ch4. What a waste of time. Nearly an hour of program to find out there are some guys out there who want to remove their testicles. I thought the

whole thing was a waste of time and very light weight.

amm_uk:

You have to keep in mind that regular visitors of the EA were not necessarily the primary audience that this program was intended for. For random Joe & Susie Q Public who might have never have otherwise even known this sort of community or mindset exists, I thought it was a well put together piece that showed a fair light on the subject w/o being judgmental or exploitive.

It allowed people to get an awareness of the topic w/o trying to be too graphic, too sensationalist, or trying to cover too many different segments (involuntary eunuchs, strictly TG, intersexed, eunuchs from birth, religious eunuchs, etc) and either not being able to spend as much time with each, or ending up being 5 hours long. Most "normal" people, esp men, would think someone was crazy for wanting their balls cut off. This program served to show that there are rational, otherwise normal people who do.

Telling people we exist is the first step to getting more official support and help for it so maybe people dont have to travel thousands of miles, or suffer for 5 years and repeated burdizzo attempts to get what they feel they need.

As far as I can tell, you're doing a great job. The only thing I can add is this - there is no way of making sure you give an "accurate portrayal" of a diverse community - because its so diverse. So don't worry. Be yourself, and let that speek for the community.

I wanted to thank you all for your sweet comments and great advice. Thank you zxas12! I'm so glad you thought so! I agree with Dingbat that I had tremendous trouble relating to both brother Benedict and Bill, although I absolutely respect them as people! And I think it all is a great credit to Danny (our director) for including a varied selection of people who are archetypal of the sorts of people we are likely to find in our communtiy. And thanks to Paolo - with your lightsabre we can rule the galaxy as father and son! LOL. And an especially great thank you to Z You came across as a real sweetheart in the docu. And every female I've spoken to says so ^_^

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>I'm not sure what happened to the rest of my post here.<

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I don't want to re-post in case it was edited for my own protection, (which I respect!), but would just like to know. But be listening to the Stephen Nolan show at around 11pm - Midnight on Saturday 14th April!

Hi,

I'm sure you'll do a great job with both interviews and I wish you luck (not that you'll need it), you're a great representative and you come across as articulate and compassionate.

Please, though, please, please be careful with Stephen Nolan. He is what's known as a 'shock jock' and the main aim of his programme is to annoy the listener's enough to make them angry and 'phone in. He then conducts a combative programme. He, himself, is usually very reasonable, but he paraphrases interviewees incorrectly all the time and he often makes comments which the interviewees don't get a chance to come back on. I'm a big fan of R5live but I honestly can't stand his programme, it's switch off for me when he comes on as his approach is intended to be shocking in a not very nice way. He has a big 'God squad' listenership who are always only too willing to pick up the 'phone! Like I said, Stephen Nolan himself does not appear to be an unpleasant person but his ethical approach to the subjects he covers is a bit dodgy (just my opinion).

I just wouldn't like you to feel hurt by anything, that would really uspet me.

(Oh, oops, you've edited your post now so mine doesn't make much sense, sorry. If I've said something in this post that you didn't want up on the board can you please ask one of the moderators to remove it? Thanks.)

Thanks for the heads up Dingbat and I didn't actually edit my post. But SOMEONE did. I just tidied it up to reflect the huge chunk that was removed. Would greatful for any clarification on that one. Not that I'm bothered, but it is only politeness to let users know!

Thank you for all your advice - I will bear it in mind! I would be greatful for any further comments about Stephen Nolan as I prepare for tomorrow.

thefraj (imported) wrote: Sat Apr 14, 2007 1:56 am I wanted to thank you all for your sweet comments and great advice. Thank you zxas12! I'm so glad you thought so! I agree with Dingbat that I had tremendous trouble relating to both brother Benedict and Bill, although I absolutely respect them as people! And I think it all is a great credit to Danny (our director) for including a varied selection of people who are archetypal of the sorts of people we are likely to find in our communtiy. And thanks to Paolo - with your lightsabre we can rule the galaxy as father and son! LOL. And an especially great thank you to Z You came across as a real sweetheart in the docu. And every female I've spoken to says so ^_^

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>I'm not sure what happened to the rest of my post here.<

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I don't want to re-post in case it was edited for my own protection, (which I respect!), but would just like to know. But be listening to the Stephen Nolan show at around 11pm - Midnight on Saturday 14th April!

Never touched it... But then I can screw up my own posts quite easily - mis-type, and there goes everything. Maddening. Was there a previous edit tag on your post? Prior to yours?

Wasn't me. --FLO--

Wasn't me?

Jesus (A) was here when I first saw it.

Yeah, sorry everyone, I don't actually know what happened there!

But I was just saying thank you to all my lovely friends here, I wish I could hug each and every one of you! And the wonderful people who know me in the 'real' world, through work or other capacities! I am not in the best of financial positions, but I felt like the richest eunuch alive when all my friends stuck by me with all this public 'coming out'. The little crowd of friends who gathered around our TV set. Everyone at my jobs who have been so very nice about this, and I owe a special thanks to one girl who took it upon herself to find me a new look - new clothes and a new style for a possible interview on TV next week. I have appointed her my personal stylist and image consultant! LOL

But most of my thanks is reserved for a special girl who I hope will acommpany me to London next week. Who's strength an inner resolve I have always admired. A beautiful little battle axe who is gay and absolutely makes no apologies for being her true self, and has been there for me and helped me be myself! With her I feel so strong.

I will do my best with the interview this evening, and be as polite and gentle as I can. But I do not play games, and anyone who crosses me will find this out the hard way I hope this is a side of me that will not have to come out tonight!

11pm to midnight on BBC Radio 5 Live.

Just remember, the radio folks do this for a living. If their desire is to twist the story they are very good at finding ways to do it.

That said, good luck with your interview.

thefraj (imported) wrote: Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:17 pm I will do my best with the interview this evening, and be as polite and gentle as I can. But I do not play games, and anyone who crosses me will find this out the hard way I hope this is a side of me that will not have to come out tonight!

Kick some ass, live on the radio.

I am so thrilled that this eunuch outing of the 21 century is going so far, and so smoothly!

When a higher power is mentioned i can help but pee myself a little, for i fear that maybe what i have said or wrote may have been twisted or misinterpreted. thankfully not many of my writings if any have been removed from the archive to my knowledge.

A question for use readers/ writers, how far will we take this? Where will we be when comfort comes? Is what we want from others respect and understanding?

blah...

z

thefraj (imported) wrote: Sat Apr 14, 2007 10:17 pm I will do my best with the interview this evening, and be as polite and gentle as I can. But I do not play games, and anyone who crosses me will find this out the hard way I hope this is a side of me that will not have to come out tonight!

It might be good for them to hear a eunuch roar. As kind as you are anyone who crosses you will look like the bad guy. They may find we have given up our balls but not our backbone.

How did it go? I wasn't able to hear it unfortunately. I hope it went well.

I think I've found the appropriate 'listen again' bit on the R5L website, this (http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainfram ... /nolan_sat) should be the link which takes you to the page where you can hear last night's programme again.

Just in case anyone wanted to hear it and wasn't able to hear it last night.

Thanks for the link Dingbat, my interview is in Saturdays stream, towards the end of the show.

At the time I thought it was an absolute disaster, though listening to it now - the following day - it probably wasn't nearly as bad as I first thought. My friends seemed to think it was okay, but I worry that they would likely say this even if it wern't!

But the responsibility thing is starting to terrify me, the weight of knowing my words will have an impact on peoples' perception of our community. Most of all, the tremendous efforts Jonah, Danny, Tanya et al. went to in order to obtain the footage and insight they did.

I wonder if I am spending all that hard earned trust from these great people on other people who simply havn't earned it? Interviewers who do not deserve it, and who will not guarantee us such an understanding atmosphere.

In some ways I am sorry I did this interview, even though I don't believe it was a disaster. But I actually began to wonder if further interviews were really a good idea at all. Is it possible that more damage could be done than good?

I'm sorry if I let anyone down in that interview.

Hi,

Firstly, whatever happened, you couldn't possibly let anyone down. It's just not within you to do that. If anyone let anyone down (and I really don't know because I still haven't heard it), it would have been Stephen Nolan and his objectionable interview techniques. Bear in mind that this is a man whose particular talent (if you can call it that) is making himself sound very, very reasonable whilst, at the same time, winding his audience up to fever pitch. He's not known for impartially, quite the opposite. One of the main reasons I can't bear to listen to him is that he regularly makes supposedly factual statements which just aren't based on any fact!

You are right about one thing though, HE doesn't deserve interview time with you, HE has done nothing to earn it. Your time is valuable and your opinions are worthwhile, there will be other people like Danny et al who did the Ch4 documentary, people who REALLY do want to listen to our position, people who have open minds and wish to put across the subject sensitively and fairly.

Don't feel bad about it, any negativity reflects on Stephen Nolan and his listenership and NOT on you. You're not a professional interviewee and it's HIS job (not yours) to ensure that you're represented fairly and accurately. Unfortunately, perhaps he doesn't see it that way. He is wrong, you are not.

I still think you're doing a great job. ((hugs))

Stephen Nolan is certainly not the most sympathetic interviewer, but Rog does come across well in the interview. The segment is short, but worth listening to. The entire radio broadcast is 3 hours, but the segment with Rog begins 2 hours and 41 minutes into the show. On the BBC website for the broadcast there's a slider in the upper left corner. Slide it over to 2:41 and wait a minute or so for the download and you can hear just the 15 minute segment with our very own Thefraj!

dingbat (imported) wrote: Sun Apr 15, 2007 11:19 pm http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio/aod/mainfram ... /nolan_sat

So uhhh, if nothing starts automatically on the link, what do you do?

Buy a MAC?

Thank you Jesus for posting the link. Roger I enjoyed your interview. You handle yourself very well.

Never mind...I got it.

Thanks everyone for the kind words! I absolutely hated the Stephen Nolan interview, and will be more careful in future of entering environments that could be as hostile. The "This Morning" Interview was at least 200% better! And has generated much more facination with the media. And there is another possible interview in the pipeline with BBC radio 4.

But I will be much more careful about ensuring they give us a fair representation and not include so much of a freak-show element!

I just listened to it. I didn't think I would be able to if I don't have broadband. I just think the interviewer was doing his job and asking what people might be thinking.

From the sounds of it, I think Roger pretty much scared him silly! I had this vision of Nolan sitting there cringing with his legs crossed. I don't think it sounded as if it went badly at all. Well done, Rog.

i got the film in the mail last night and sat down to watch it. over all i am pleased with what of my story had been added to the documentary. however, the final note was very upsetting. no where to my knowledge have i made any statement about using hormone replacement therapy to restore a sex drive. The fact that an untrue comment was made about me, is to say the least, utterly disrespectful.

a misleading statement of that magnitude makes me appear to have been regressing. I am not seeking to have any sexual nature restored by medication. I am happy with my sexuality as is!

the time i spent watching the film was reflected in my closer of that period of time in my life. I was intrigued to view the stories of others who have been castrated. i have respect for all the individuals whos lives where shared, though there reasoning was different than mine, it is just as important to know what there motivations where.

the fact that eunuchs or castrated individuals have the opportunity to express there thoughts is rad.

z

salami, you really should be clear on your intent when talking on camera, make sure to express the fact that you dont want your words taken out of context.

z