TOKYO —

Transsexual celebrity Ayana Tsubaki, 24, was on hand at Shibuya Theater Tsutaya this week to introduce American director Francis Ford Coppola’s new film “Youth Without Youth.”

Commenting on the film’s story in which a 70-year-old man is struck by lightning and starts to become younger, Tsubaki said, “Everybody often feels they want to change their lives. But once it happens in reality, there is often something new to worry about. The film reminded me of my own transition.”

Latest 15 of 137 Total Comments Show All

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  kirakira25 at 01:35 PM JST - 4th September

  Carash - just wanted to say that I have really enjoyed and been educated by reading your posts on this topic. This is not a topic I know an awful lot about hence my lack of comment (except that I very much feel that everyone can choose for themselves the right path for them) but I am coming away from this particular forum a little wiser than when I arrived. I am sure you are as beautiful outside as you seem to be inside - I admire your bravery and I wish you very well in your future.

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  Richard_the_First at 05:15 PM JST - 4th September

  Live and let live and the world would be a better place...

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  carash at 01:31 AM JST - 5th September

  To kirakira25 and 1001tlc: Thank you both for your beautiful posts. I first decided to post in this forum in order to help educate, and I can rest easier knowing that I have.

  To borscht, lipscombe: Thank you for complimenting ColAmerica and my debate. I do take that as a high compliment. I know you have both been on my "side" since the beginning, and I really appreciate your help.

  Now, to Blue Tiger: First, let me say, I hope you read over my previous posts before you post again because I'm afraid I really don't like repeating myself.

  Also, as to your questions and statements about Ayana forcing her beliefs on others, I just have one thing to say, "I don't get it". Yes, the world is mostly Christian (that's all sects combined including Catholic, Jehovah Witnesses, Mormons, Baptists, etc...), and while transsexuals are not viewed as ideal, most sects of Christianity will either support them or just state they don't quite approve. They don't actually persecute. Their are a few stories about transsexuals being chased out of churches and those were incidents mainly concerning a local church and not the whole sect. That being said, Christians shouldn't have a problem with transsexuals.

  However, if you want me to go about this discussion a little differently, do you protest a film Tom Cruise is in, purely because he's a Scientologist? Or golf clubs Tigerwoods is selling purely because he is Buddhist?

  The hell of it is, both of the arguments I just gave deal with religion, and you are objecting to a transsexual because she exists. You are saying the only way she is shoving the belief that transsexuals are okay and are people too, is by not wearing a burlap sack and living in a dark room. We exist. Get used to it because we are tired of hiding.

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  1001tlc at 04:08 AM JST - 5th September

  Richard the first: Live and let live...yes indeed! BECAUSE THE WORLD IS ROUND, and we only live once, why not make the most of it and be HAPPY.

  Carash: As a human being, we learn tolerance and acceptance. We live and cohabit because we exist. We should be proud of what we are or what we become. We all can be transparent and I beleive that everyone has the basic right or freedom to shine through.☺♡☆

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  ColAmerica at 11:01 AM JST - 5th September

  carash; I viewed the links provided with my wife yesterday.

  Very informative. I will be bringing up the subject of transgendered people at our next regional church meeting, later this month.

  I will present the information, and hope people will listen to my speech.

  I hope i can ensure someone who wishes to change sex, can be accepted in our community. Where i live , most of life revolves around the church, i hope i can make my community more tolerant.

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  lipscombe at 11:12 AM JST - 5th September

  ColAmerica, I salute you sir

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  natosucks at 04:37 PM JST - 5th September

  i think that's a shame for many talent women, why a transsexual?...

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  ColAmerica at 11:54 PM JST - 5th September

  lipscombe- Thank you sir.

  I believe from online discussion boards all of us can learn things, if we look at them without leting our own prejudices and biases blind us.

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  carash at 01:09 AM JST - 6th September

  To ColAmerica: Thank you very much for that! You just made my day. I know that it will be an interesting topic of debate at your church, but I just want to you to know, I, on behalf of the community, thank you. I know there may not be a point when we are fully accepted, but I know that when it comes right down to it, we are all humans looking for our way in this world. I wanted to also say that I have greatly appreciated speaking with you. On most forums, I fear the art of debate and discussion boils down to name calling, and I appreciate the fact that we have actually been able to speak with each other.

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  TheNewZen at 01:21 AM JST - 6th September

  I see ColAmerica as trying to make a true effort and respect him for it.

  Looks to me as he changed his viewpoint after getting more info. And that is all we can ask for, may it be religious, political, etc. In short look at both sides than form your opinion.

  Like carash not sure if he will be successful, but his attempt alone gets him points from me. Said that looks to me now like he is willing to face opposition.

  Myself have many gay/lesbian and a few transsexual friends.

  Anyway kudos to him.

  P.S.: I had a bad view on him but this earns him points in my book. And I am as hetero-sexual as they come. Can't get into a MMF even. ;)

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  ColAmerica at 02:39 AM JST - 6th September

  carash- It is possible to understand others and stick with ones convictions. I believe Jesus would not turn away someone who was different than someone we consider "normal".

  I hope to encourage folks in my area to be more open minded. We have a decrease in population here, where youngsters are leaving. Maybe it is too conservative and judgemental for them to feel themselves.

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  carash at 03:20 AM JST - 6th September

  ColAmerica - I agree with you a 100% about the understanding others and sticking with convictions. Don't get me wrong at all. Jesus would be the first to say, "It's okay".

  As to younger generation, that's probably a combination of things. I do have to say though, the younger people I know tend to say, they don't like being judged. I think openness and understanding is the only way for everyone to achieve their goals.

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  SiouxGirl at 05:16 AM JST - 6th September

  What a cute girl. But what she's wearing - eek! Leave the red pantyhose for a more dramatic look, honey.

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  carash at 06:04 AM JST - 6th September

  Yeah. Sometimes fashion gets a little out of hand. :)

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  borscht at 12:56 AM JST - 7th September

  ColAmerica,

  I hope i can ensure someone who wishes to change sex, can be accepted in our community

  By presenting any information or ideas you have you may come under some ridicule or you may be looked upon as a leader. In either case, good work.

  By the way, by not hiding a child of mine with a disability, a person in my wife's church decided not to hide her child with the same disability. She was too 'ashamed' and kept her child at home until she saw how my wife and I treated our child as 'normal.' I hope your speech allows someone to be as open about their life/emotions/gender in your church and that the other members accept him or her without discrimination.

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