Transgenders, Transsexuals, and the Whole Gamut

[20thCenturyBoy]

I remember a month or so ago, I was involved in a controversial argument about whether or not transsexualism, or indeed, any non-normal gender identification, was "wrong, selfish and immoral." I argued against that assertion. I have many friends who are genderqueer, transgendered and pre-op. One of my closest friends, a "girl" I consider family, is undergoing the procedure. Naturally, I felt a sense of duty in defending the underdog. I found I was outnumbered. Most were staunch in their convictions, and I saw the whole gamut of insults directed towards the alt-gender community.

"They're pretenders," "They're fakes," "They're self-deluding morons who pay for permanent cosmetic boob-jobs they'll regret for the rest of their lives," "It's economically impractical and contributes nothing to society," etc. Yeah, this coming from the straight heterosexual crowd who waste God knows how much money on pointless junk they don't need.

Hopefully, under more civil terms, I can ask the question... what do you, you wonderful Escapist lot, think about transgenders, transsexuals, genderqueers or other? Do you harbour any sort of prejudice? Do you feel appalled? Do you support their individual decisions to find their own way? What are your thoughts?

 

[trooper6]

I'm transexual, so I have no problems with transexuality--clearly. I have no problems with genderqueers, two-spirit folks, or even cisgender peopled.

All of that said, you do realize that this thread is just going to solicit trasphobic comments from people, right? You are going to get people posting all sorts of hurtful stuff and it will all be covered by "this is just how I feel"--and it will all be tolerated, though no one would tolerate it if they were saying similarly racist stuff. Threads like this invariably end being really hurtful and toxic for trans people. As an ally, you might want to think about that in the future.

 

[DeepComet5581]

Transgenderism must be much less prevalent in the UK, as I don't know a single one.

However, while it's not my prerogative to condemn someone for a personal choice, I do feel that many transgenders do take the opportunity for granted. It doesn't empower them in any way and most people would be able to tell that they were transgender, which leaves them open to more abuse.

I have no prejudice towards them (i.e. I wouldn't treat them differently) and being a Liberal I support personal choice, but I would just feel uncomfortable around them knowing that their... peripherals were surgically placed there and that their voice doesn't fit them.

Civilised enough?

 

[20thCenturyBoy]

It's better than most I've seen, really.

 

[EllEzDee]

All of that said, you do realize that this thread is just going to solicit trasphobic comments from people, right? You are going to get people posting all sorts of hurtful stuff and it will all be covered by "this is just how I feel"--and it will all be tolerated, though no one would tolerate it if they were saying similarly racist stuff. Threads like this invariably end being really hurtful and toxic for trans people. As an ally, you might want to think about that in the future.

Transgender is a race now is it? Nice generalisation on the response from the community though. Infact, a lot of people on this site are ridiculously open minded[footnote]EDIT: To an extent. They'll go batshit insane the moment piracy is mentioned, yet sexuality based discussions are usually full of people with no qualms at all when it comes to homo/bi etc. Amazing, really.[/footnote]. Most people with such an opposing view, such as myself, won't even post, which is why threads like these usually have a poll (though obviously you can't just say i'm with it/against it).

(Second edit: Fixed some crap i left in that made next to no sense)

 

[Aura Guardian]

what do you, you wonderful Escapist lot, think about transgenders, transsexuals, genderqueers or other?
I have no problems with it.

Do you harbour any sort of prejudice?
Hell no. Not my style. Some of my friends underwent transgender surgery. My reaction was...
Me-"Woah..your a lady now? Hmm...not my type haha."
Friend-"You jerk"
We laughed and continued to be friend like nothings change because...nothing changed.

Do you feel appalled?
Nope. I have no reason to be appalled by it.

Do you support their individual decisions to find their own way?
I told them
Me-"If that's how you feel, then do it. I recommend to see a psychiatrist first before surgery"
Friend-"Why?"
Me-"Because if they feel the same way I do, they would tell you do undergo surgery. Better safe than sorry right?"

What are your thoughts?
I have no problems with it.

 

[Grospoliner]

A person must be true only to their self. Anyone who would seek to oppress another can go eat a dick.

 

[Monkfish Acc.]

It's not my business and I don't care.

Frankly I'm not sure why anyone should. It's not your fucking life. Why is it a big deal to you.

 

[Terminal Blue]

Transgender is a race now is it? Nice generalisation.

And the point is proven.

Seriously, if you walked into that one any harder we'd be picking the letters out of your face with tweezers.

Amazing, really.

Why is that in any way amazing?

This is just personal choice people and has nothing to do with me hating or not respecting them or there choices.

It kind of does in a way..

Not saying you're transphobic, but what you're effectively saying is 'I'll just about manage accept you as a woman, but only as long as you stay a certain distance away from me at all times because you're still kind of yucky'.

If that's how you feel, then fine, but don't pretend it doesn't reflect on anything.

 

[trooper6]

All of that said, you do realize that this thread is just going to solicit trasphobic comments from people, right? You are going to get people posting all sorts of hurtful stuff and it will all be covered by "this is just how I feel"--and it will all be tolerated, though no one would tolerate it if they were saying similarly racist stuff. Threads like this invariably end being really hurtful and toxic for trans people. As an ally, you might want to think about that in the future.

Transgender is a race now is it? Nice generalisation.
Actually, a lot of people on this site are ridiculously open minded[footnote]EDIT: To an extent. They'll go batshit insane the moment piracy is mentioned, yet sexuality based discussions are usually full of people with no qualms at all when it comes to homo/bi etc. Amazing, really.[/footnote]. Most people with such an opposing view, such as myself, won't even post, which is why threads like these usually have a poll (though obviously you can't just say i'm with it/against it).

No, transgender is not a race. However, trangender people are a minority population, just as racial minorities are.
Of course there are differences, people rarely say "I'm opposed to black people," or "I'm amazed more people aren't against black people," or "I don't have anything against black people, if I had black friends I'd treat them nicely, but I'd never want to date a black person because that's disgusting...but I'm not racist" here on escapist--but they do about sexual or gender minorities.

 

[Anjel]

Despite being part of the LGBT community this is something I've little knowledge of. A friend of mine is male, has just got married to a female, likes to dress in female clothing and wears make-up (at night, on his own), his wife knows and is fine with all of that, as well as the fact that he wants breasts (but does not want to lose his penis). He considers his 'sexuality' to be bisexual - his wife is again okay with this and okay with him having sexual experiences with males.

So what is he?

My friend, that's what. And for the record I think it's his wife that needs her head looking at before him.

 

[EllEzDee]

Transgender is a race now is it? Nice generalisation.

And the point is proven.

Seriously, if you walked into that one any harder we'd be picking the letters out of your face with tweezers.

I don't see your point at all. The second part i actually forgot to delete as i was writing it. It originally went "Nice generalisation though," before leading to the explanation of that post generalising the response from the community. My bad for leaving it in.

Amazing, really.

Why is that in any way amazing?

It's amazing that a lot of them have such an open mind for some things, and yet an air tight one for others. Infact, a reply explained it perfectly to me.

EDIT: To an extent. They'll go batshit insane the moment piracy is mentioned, yet sexuality based discussions are usually full of people with no qualms at all when it comes to homo/bi etc. Amazing, really.

That's just because they've been trained what they're allowed to snap at and what to leave alone by the mods.

Calling someone who downloaded a piece of music an A-moral sack of shit who's leaching off of society and the one and only reason that it's crumbling, perfectly acceptable.

Voicing disapproval of someone's lifestyle choices, you goin-a hell son!

 

[Brutal Peanut]

But really, in all seriousness,

Spoiler: ....

Okay really this time:

Spoiler: ...

,..I don't hold any prejudices against those of differing gender, ethnicity, or religion. Unless you start preaching to me. Then I'll just walk away. Probably go get an ice-cream. I love ice-cream.

 

[JUMBO PALACE]

Transgenderism must be much less prevalent in the UK, as I don't know a single one.

I don't know any either and I live in the US. I think some people are just like that.

OT: I've got nothing against anyone of any sort of transexuality or genderqueer or what have you. It might make me a little uncomfortable to see a man in a dress for the first time but after a little while it wouldn't matter anymore.

 

[Terminal Blue]

That they have such an open mind for some things, and yet an air tight one for others. Infact, a reply explained it perfectly to me.

Sorry to tell you this, but having a basic respect for other people doesn't require an exceptional degree of open mindedness.

Homophobes and transphobes are a dying breed of exceptionally narrow minded people. You're certainly not the good wholesome normal folk fighting a tide of moral degeneracy. You never were. Get over it.

 

[deathandtaxes]

What amazes me most about this issue is how few people who are not transgendered actually understand that people might feel out of place in their own skin.

People often immediately bundle it in with homosexuality when in fact it is completely different. For those who are lost people who are transgendered are those who feel like they are not the gender they were born with or those who were born with multiple genders and "assigned" one at birth which does not conform to their own personal feelings about who they are.

Firstly one must realise that gender and sex are in fact two different ideas in psychology when we talk about the gender of the person we are talking about what gender they proscribe too NOT their physical gender. These two ideas gender and sex do not always align. Thus some people who feel they are men are 'trapped' in the physical body of woman and vice versa.

Thus a man who chooses to become a woman does so because she knows that she is in fact psychologically a woman and wishes her body to more closely reflect her mind. Likewise a woman who chooses to become a man does so for the same reasons. There are also some positions in between which are in turn more complex to understand for someone who is comfortable in their own gender and sex.

I've spoken to many people who immediately then say that these people are technically homosexual (as if this was something to be ashamed of) they simply refuse to see the point entirely as they cannot conceive of gender and sexuality as something which is more complex than their own narrow interpretation.

 

[Thaluikhain]

Don't care. I've never met anyone who has told me they were one, so it's a bit academic though.

Of course, once they start getting acceptance, you'll start to see them in popular media, and it will be the end of the world again, like with DA2.

Homophobes and transphobes are a dying breed of exceptionally narrow minded people.

They aren't, they really aren't. How many places in the world allow gay marriage, for example, or would elect a transexual as their nation's leader? If you get called a fag, do you think it was meant as a compliment?

That sort of sentiment is deeply entrenched, and will be for some time.