Poll: Your True Gender [Expanded]

[Odradek]

I want to ask why the Escapist has so many awesome gender/sexuality threads...? I'm obvy new here...

I'm guessing it's because a safe space has been established. It's amazing what happens when there's safe space! *hugs*

OT: I'm genderqueer aka "other." It seems obvious to me that sexuality, gender, race and all of those other strict divisive categories are actually spectra (see Kinsey scale or Kate Bornstein's Gender Workbook). My biological sex is stable but my gender is ever-changing... as so many of these posts imply, gender can be a state of mind, a collections of interests and activities, a "look" even! But for others gender is stable and vitally important, specifically bringing physical sex in line with "soul" gender. I led a workshop once re: sex and gender. It's amazing how ignorant and petulant the people in that course were (people who were already at a conference about gender flexibility!) vs. the relatively sane (and funny) responses here on the often violent phobia-riddled interwebs.

Thanks, Escapist & Ellen of Kitten!

 

[Daedalus1942]

Im male.. But one of my GF's friends is a shemale..

Or a dude with breasts if you like.. He is gonna remove his penis soon and make a "vagina" out of it too though..

I dont mind, he/she is a great person, and that is all that matters..

\
Then She is not a shemale... that is a derogitory term and is usually only applied to the porn industry. She is a male to female transsexual like myself.
-Tabs<3-

Derogatory? Heavens no. It's just a name that describes a person with parts male parts female. Ergo, She (female) Male (male, duh). It's not derogatory, it's about how the name is used (and as far as I'm aware it's pretty much how I just described) not how you personally take it.

I'm sorry but the word you seem to be hunting for there is Intersex.
I have NEVER met another transsexual or intersexed individual in my life that appreciates that term being used to describe them.
Your facts are wrong, I'm sorry.
Shemale is a derogitory term for pre operative transsexuals. It is mainly used in the porn industry and by people who are ignorant to the proper acceptable terms.
-Tabs<3-

 

[Ravek]

My ex-girlfriend is a trans M2F

That's interesting. I totally could not tolerate having an originally-male girlfriend, because I consider them male, even if they don't.

 

[Corpse XxX]

Im male.. But one of my GF's friends is a shemale..

Or a dude with breasts if you like.. He is gonna remove his penis soon and make a "vagina" out of it too though..

I dont mind, he/she is a great person, and that is all that matters..

\
Then She is not a shemale... that is a derogitory term and is usually only applied to the porn industry. She is a male to female transsexual like myself.
-Tabs<3-

Yeah.. Something like that, im not really sure about the correct linguistical terms to describe him/her.. But evidently you do
Easier to call him by her new girl name, to each his/her own i guess..

 

[Odradek]

Im male.. But one of my GF's friends is a shemale..

Or a dude with breasts if you like.. He is gonna remove his penis soon and make a "vagina" out of it too though..

I dont mind, he/she is a great person, and that is all that matters..

\
Then She is not a shemale... that is a derogitory term and is usually only applied to the porn industry. She is a male to female transsexual like myself.
-Tabs<3-

Derogatory? Heavens no. It's just a name that describes a person with parts male parts female. Ergo, She (female) Male (male, duh). It's not derogatory, it's about how the name is used (and as far as I'm aware it's pretty much how I just described) not how you personally take it.

Not to speak for you Deadelus but as a gender activist I figured I'd step in a bit to maybe clarify: "Shemale" is *considered* derogatory within the transsexual community. Same as hermaphrodite is usually offensive to the intersex community. I think it's obvious that you're not intending offense, so if you are hoping to speak about members of the trans community without *sounding* derogatory (again, it's clear that's not your intention) members of the trans community prefer the term trans, transsexual, transgender or whichever term applies. Being free to define ones self if a huge part of these communities and showing respect for that quest is a great way to show respect for the community and people within it!

PS: I know from long experience that sharing detailed information about their genitalia is something most members of the trans community are VERY tired of doing. Focusing on self/personality vs. genitals/breasts can be another great way to support your trans pals!

 

[Zhukov]

Heavy build. Check.

Dangly bits. Check.

Excess hair. Check.

Hmm...

I would have to say that the evidence points to me being male.

 

[Mahha]

I'm a lady!

No not really... I'm a mans man, a courageous man, with chest hair like Chuck Norris back in the day!

 

[Wardnath]

I'd say I'm male, but I don't feel that I have a very strong gender identity. I like what I am, but if I woke up one day with a female body... I'd wonder how that happened, but I think I'd adapt.

This is... pretty much my thoughts on the matter.

OT: I'm fairly certain I identify as male. So yeah.

 

[drbarno]

I'd say I'm a man
I'm comfortable enough with my own body without trying to change it thanks.

 

[Uncreation]

Well, i am biologically male. But for a couple of years i have come to the conclusion that i probably would have felt better as a female... so, make of that what you will. Also, i've decided not to pursue sex change treatment, for a couple of reasons.

 

[jamesworkshop]

Same as hermaphrodite is usually offensive to the intersex community.

Okay, I can kinda deal with the pointless negative inflection on Shemale, but 'hermaphrodite' is offensive how now? It's a word derived from Greek mythos (Hermes and Aphrodite, to be particular) and it literally means To posses the characteristics of both a male and a female at the same time. It has been used for centuries to describe genetic 'intersex' things (generic particle, don't start on me using the word things) in the natural world. Snails for example are Hermaphroditic, that is to say that they posses both male and female genitalia, ergo what you'd call intersex (if I'm not mistaken).
Please explain why the 'intersex' community hates a word that has been in use for so long and is possibly the most benign, unbiased* descriptor ever used for them?

*Even 'intersex' holds some bias as a word used in commonplace instead of a word deemed to be offensive (for no apparent reason) and henceforth is more biased than hermaphroditic.

I would be careful it's very easy to for someone if they are activly seeking to take offense to then find offensive which ever term you happen to use.

 

[SilverUchiha]

Wow. These numbers show a rather unbalanced population here at the escapist.

 

[Dense_Electric]

Biologically 100% male (though thankfully not a SUPER MANLY MAN male), and sexually still straight, but as far as everday goes I've finally ditched the whole idea that a person has to belong to one of two distinct genders. I say, wear clothes that fit you, go by what you want, associate with who you want, and as long as no one gets hurt, do whatever the hell you want. An X or Y chromosone does not effect whether you should join the military, enroll in culinary school, become a doctor, artist, etc.

 

[0p3rati0n]

Good god this it tough.... *1 hour later* ..... Male?

 

[Lieju]

I've never thought of my gender as important, and much of my childhood I had problems with people identifying me as a girl.
And puberty was difficult for me, and I figured out I'm sexually attracted to women.

I don't really consider myself as feminine, but not as masculine either.
In general I identify myself as female, and as a lesbian, but gender isn't really the most important part of my identity.

 

[Odradek]

Same as hermaphrodite is usually offensive to the intersex community.

Okay, I can kinda deal with the pointless negative inflection on Shemale, but 'hermaphrodite' is offensive how now? It's a word derived from Greek mythos (Hermes and Aphrodite, to be particular) and it literally means To posses the characteristics of both a male and a female at the same time. It has been used for centuries to describe genetic 'intersex' things (generic particle, don't start on me using the word things) in the natural world. Snails for example are Hermaphroditic, that is to say that they posses both male and female genitalia, ergo what you'd call intersex (if I'm not mistaken).
Please explain why the 'intersex' community hates a word that has been in use for so long and is possibly the most benign, unbiased* descriptor ever used for them?

*Even 'intersex' holds some bias as a word used in commonplace instead of a word deemed to be offensive (for no apparent reason) and henceforth is more biased than hermaphroditic.

Well, my understanding is simply that it's inaccurate. I didn't mean to say "hate" but I suppose "offensive" implies that... so maybe I was a bit inaccurate on my part! Sorry! My knowledge is primarily from intersex friends, educators & literature from intersex education organizations. Might not be true for you, your community or intersex friends!

You are totally correct that snails are hermaphrodites... which speaks to why many members of the intersex community don't use it to describe themselves. It's very rare, if not entirely unheard of, for a human to have both male and female genitals fully formed and in working order, like a snail or like the child of Hermes & Aphrodite! Someone who is intersex usually has a variation of some combination but almost never what one (rightly, biologically & mythologically) would recognize as hermaphroditic. It's just biologically, medically and physically inaccurate. Hopefully not something that needs arguing. I was just trying to help someone who seemed to want to be an ally to start learning good beginner ways to act as an ally! I say hooray to that and no offense intended! Hopefully no hard feelings!

 

[The Lunatic]

Male.


Well, at least last time I checked anyway.

 

[Odradek]

Easier to call him by her new girl name, to each his/her own i guess..

Oh, you're awesome. You "get" it and she's lucky to have you in her circle of friends! Focussing on the human and not the sex or gender identity (or history) is actually pretty advanced! Good on you.