I'm Transgender and I am proud of it

[AnIndependentTexan]

Being transgender isn't being gay. Transgender is very different from Gay, yet there are some people who are transgender and are gay. Going after any group for being who they are is wrong. I have no agenda to turn the world into what I am. I have no agenda to cause people to become what I am. I'm not ashamed of who I am. Being me is just what I do best.

[Maat]

1. And I'm proud of your confidence!

Blessings to you!

[sans qualia]

2. Thank you for posting this.

I'm transgender too, and while I don't think I'd say I'm proud of it, it's certainly not something I'm ashamed of. It's good to see that there are people willing to make themselves visible to raise awareness of trans isses. :yourock: :hug:

[Mojambo]

3. Hey

Just last night I was idly wondering how many Transgender DUers we might have.

Good on you. You have a most valuable attitude.

[jobycom]

4. Cool

Gender preconceptions and stereotypes are the bane of freedom. They should all be challenged as radically as one dares.

[chaska]

5. So you want an award? Get over yourself already. You TG people, sheesh!

Just messin' with ya. All good your way, friend.

[Boosterman]

6. Hey as long as you

are happy and dont ask me to do it...congrats.

[undergroundpanther]

7. Transperson here 2

And I be proud,I am also furry,A transfur ..androgyny feline

[ConsAreLiars]

8. And you're not the only one ...

(obscure song reference: http://www.johnlennon.it/imagine.htm )

Seriously, remember that.

You drew my attention by posting insightful comments. And you have my admiration for dealing with gender ID conflict. A lot of folks have trouble dealing with the fact that who you are and who you like (gender-wise) are independent questions, and the answers cannot always be determined by physiognomy.
(edit: fix garbling)

[Forkboy]

9. Amen

:thumbsup:

[JackieO]

10. right on

:hi:

[donheld]

11. I'm proud of you for telling us

you have my full support. :yourock::toast:

[readmoreoften]

12. Hey A.I.T!

My partner is trans and we're both from Texas too! (Well he's from Texas, I lived there for 6 years) We both ID as dykes (as a butch-femme couple), so we've got one foot in each community.

It's tough to explain to non-trans people the complexity of the whole anti-gay situation and how it relates to transfolk. It's hard. My boy is planning surgery during this political nightmare. Surgery is frightening enough. Surgery without family support is even tougher. Surgery with the fear that I will be barred from seeing my partner in an emergency is terrifying to me.

Thanks for bringing this up. :pals:

[JohnnyCougar]

13. Pardon my ignorance

But what is the definition of "transgender"? Obviously, I have some idea, but I'm looking for a precice answer.

[AnIndependentTexan]

14. This is basically what I am

When I first found out who I was I researched it online. I also have friends on different levels. I've known about who I am for a long time. A doctor has checked my male hermone levels or whatever it is called for a guy. I'm just so used to using the word hermone instead. I'm naturally below average for what a male is. My emotional level is that of a female.

I've never been closed minded about who I am and explored to understand more about what I am. It is hard to discribe about what makes me who I am because most people like this don't understand why they are this way. It is also why you can not just wake up and decide you are this way. It is because I've been in female clothes that I know that isn't what makes me who I am. I can be in male clothes or female clothes and I'll still feel the same on the inside.

I know I'm not sexual attracted to guys because I've been in the same room as other guys and felt nothing. I still like females, but I'm not sexually driven to have a relationship. When I was in the other set of clothes it wasn't sexually driven either. It was also in the privacy of a room and not out in public.

Being PREGNATE is the reason why I will not have surgey on myself to become female. That is something I'll never be able to experience and it would be very sad to be in the true form of what I feel inside watching others being able to carry a child inside them. To someone who is Transgender giving birth to a child is the hardest gifts of life we will never be able to experience. You don't know how much Transgender people envy natural females because of it. I know one friend to this day who changed and became female. She is very depressed because she wants to be a mother.

Till they figure out a way I can be a mother to a child of my own birth. I will be what I am and have learned to live with it. I'll never be complete till that day happens. I've found a balance in my life, but that is the one thing I'll never be able to do is experience what it is like to be a mother. All of you who are mothers out there cherish who you are and that child because that is the greatest gift of life and only you have that ability.

[anarchy1999]

16. Thanks ever so much for coming out. It must have been really

important for you to share. (sarcasm turned off now).

Is this most important to you? To what is going on in the world?

I'm sorry. Why is it significant? I must be missing something.

But once again, thanks for sharing.

[JohnnyCougar]

17. Am I misreading your post?

Or am I just tired. My first impulse is to flame you to death, but I will wait till tomorrow, because If I am reading what I think I am reading, it's probably better that I not be tired when replying to you.

[anarchy1999]

19. Good call.

n/t

[JohnnyCougar]

33. Apparently it wasn't

I am now rereading your post and I see absolutely no value in your opinion whatsoever.

And by the way, you are supposed to put "n/t" in the title of your thread, not in the body. That defeats the purpose of typing it in the first place.

And also BTW, you posting your worthless opinion on here is a waste of everyone's time. Go do a different thread right now.

[AnIndependentTexan]

23. There is a reason why it is important and significant

There is no protection for anyone who is transgendered. If a employer finds out if you are transgender they can openly fire you right on the spot just for being transgender. Being transgender is a greater risk then being gay because the people who openly dress are easily spotted. If you knew more about the subject then you would understand what a person who is transgender faces in this world of hate for anyone that is different from the norm.

[SmokingJacket]

24. Grow a heart.

If you're not interested in a topic, don't read it. Don't go ragging on someone just because you're not interested.

Strikes me as a rather cruel dig.

[HEAVYHEART]

39. FUCK

Here I am enjoying my coffee on this beautiful Sunday morning, reading this thread, feeling good and all that. And then I see this bullshit post post. FUCK. :grr:

[readmoreoften]

40. A FEW IGNORANT SCUMBAGS ON DU

I know how you feel HH. You know, there is a whole thread on 'being Jewish' right now and that doesn't seem to be too 'frivolous' to talk about. There are entire threads about Christians feeling alienated from the DU community and that has enough merit to keep a thread going.

But then a trans person on DU comes out and suddenly it is seen as something with no political significance whatsoever relevance. Even though visibly trans people take the LIONS SHARE of the abuse that's heaped on the GLBT community-- and we've been talking about how difficult it is to be GLBT during this administration-- all of a sudden it's keep your mouth shut and get to the back of the bus.

"Yeah Yeah Yeah we'll help you we'll fight beside you, just don't tell us about yourselves. We'd rather not know."

How sincere.

[seabeyond]

32. do you know how many females

cannot have children. feel that sense that they cannot be true women without giving birth in the natural way. i am a mother of two, gave birth twice. and i am telling you straight up, as interesting as the experience is in creating and having a baby, and it is nifty, and horrible, nausea the first 3 months, heartburn the rest of preg..............being a mother to me has nothing, nothing to do with the creation and birth

no kidding

i am told the bond the moment that baby is put in your arms. didnt happen to me. not at all. not that i didnt aquire the love and not that i didnt care for and nurture the babies in such love, for the fact of just being a baby. but the bond, that came over time. really came over time. and grows and grows even today, with them at 7 and 9

i would never suggest to a woman to deny herself the extraordinary gift of motherhood simply because she couldnt have a baby in the natural sense. that is not what the gift in being a mom is

i have an employee, her daughter just had second baby. a week old. she isnt capable of being nurturing. her first baby, 19 months old is being abused by mom, and the grandmother is taking care of her. i am sure the same will happen with this second baby. i have put out the offer to give me this baby for two months, so the mother can take off and figure out what she wants, in the meantime the baby will be held and loved and taken care of the way all newborns should be afforded. and after two months we will figure out what to do from there.

i know that even though i have never seen this baby, i can give it all the love i gave to my two boys. there is not a question.

that is what a mother is

[SmokingJacket]

42. Second that.

I had my babies, and I'm glad I did. But the birth process was overrated. I had two c-sections -- and my babies were healthy and that's ALL that mattered. All. The whole pregnancy thing has faded in my memory compared to the pleasure I take in knowing the vivid, loving, interesting children they are now.

If I wanted more children I would adopt.

[readmoreoften]

43. being a mother isn't a requirement for being female

I'm a female and it never even crossed my mind to be a mother let alone get pregnant. An infertile woman and a transwoman are still all woman in my book.

[SmokingJacket]

51. Yep.

I know men that are more into being "mothers" than their wives, too.

I don't know why some people mistake traditional roles for rigid requirements.

[readmoreoften]

31. Definition of TG

A transgendered person is a person who either (a) feels that they are 'trapped in the wrong sexual body' and/or (b) is unable and/or unwilling to present the social signifiers that people rely on to distinguish biological sex.

For example, a man who decides that he is in the wrong body and has sex reassignment surgery is a transsexual. Transsexuals are innately transgendered.

Transsexuals women may be lesbian (desiring women) or heterosexual (desiring men).

There are also transgendered people who are born male, not interested in sex reassignment surgery, but who have decidely feminine expression: drag queens, trannygirls who take estrogen but do not want 'bottom surgery', and other feminine peoples born in male bodies.

There are also those who are born in genetic female bodies who are transsexual, they have sex-reassignment surgery (SRS), go on T (testosterone) and have chest reconstruction.

There are also a range of transgendered people in the lesbian community: drag kings, and transgendered butches. TG butches may or may not have surgery. The key is to be comfortable in one's body.

My partner is decidedly masculine. Not in a 'cutesy' tomboy way, but in a 'getting thrown out of the women's restroom by law enforcement' way. He will answer to either masculine or feminine pronouns, but prefers masculine pronouns. He feels as emotionally uncomfortable in a dress as my straight male friends do. He would like to have chest reconstructive surgery because he feels an almost neurological disconnect with his breasts.

There are also interesexed people (who have been genitally mutilated by science throughout the 20th century) who are biologically neither male nor female.

Transgendered people have existed throughout history: as 'two-spirited' native americans (called berdache by whites), British mollies, Greek viragos and mollises, the Hijras of India, the travesti of Latin America, and on and on and on...

Sorry if you are TG in some way that has not been included here!
There are many ways to be transgendered and transness defies labels in myriad ways.

:)

[displacedtexan]

15. My daughter just finished a transgender movie (she did the makeup).

The feature length film is called "Oh, Baby!"

It's a transgender musical and stars Craig Alex Mann (Festival In Cannes/ Party Of Five) and Laura Ceron (from ER).

My daughter was the key makeup artist.

The film is in post production right now.

My daughter loved working with the transgender actors, and they've helped her get more work.

[Speed8098]

18. It's really none of our business

I always wonder about why people are so obsessed with other peoples sexuality. What business is it if mine?

Why should it matter to me what your birth gender is?

What matters to me is what kind of person you are now.

I really don't care if you were born a man or a woman.

Are you a good person?
That's all that counts.

If we were dating, I would hope that you would be mature enough to let me know that you are transgendered, and let me decide if that's what I want. But beyond that, it's nobody's business but your own.

That philosophy should apply to everything we do.

"Live and let live" is a good cliche.
So is,"to each their own"
The re:puke:'s need to learn this.

[Allenberg]

20. ...

Good on ya. :)

[anarchy1999]

25. Thank you for such an eloquent post.

You pretty much said it all. I don't want to know and I don't care. Do what you will. Does it all have to be so public? I treasure my intimate life and share it with no one.

[SammyWinstonJack]

26. Pretty much how I feel about this

None of my business. :shrug:

[Runcible Spoon]

50. FOR THE LAST FUCKING TIME PEOPLE!

being transgendered is NOT merely about sexuality! WHAT THE FUCK ELSE CAN I SAY TO GET THIS THROUGH YOUR HEAD!!!!??? There are many social and cultural variables that go into the construction of one's identity. As a cultural anthropologist, the general consensus in gender and identity studies is that there is a distinction between biological ("sex") and cultural ("gender") categories. And neither category is static by ANY means. And neither category deals explicitly with sexual practices, though it is certainly a facet. Dialogues on transgender issues need to be included on any civil rights platform. I guess you think there should be a litmus test for deciding which kinds of people deserve compassion, equality, and legal protection, and you stop short of educating yourselves regarding very basic aspects of an identity you don't understand, dismissing it as a sexual choice. Society as it is now doesn't leave transgendered people's identity "in the bedroom". Ask a TG person what it's like trying to get a driver's license photo. Or a passport. Or trying to fill out millions of forms asking for "sex" and there are only two categories. Would you think it is acceptable to see a form asking "race/ethnicity: black or white?" It is no different. THIS is why it is your business. Because I see you on other threads fighting for progressive causes. Educating yourself about TG people and how they are a marginalized population needing help in achieving acceptance is vital.
*edited for clarity

[readmoreoften]

53. Thanks for trying to explain, Farce

Let me do a top five list on why DUers should care about transgender issues.

For all the lip service paid for GLBT folks, what most people mean when they think of GLBT people is white middle and upper class gays who are gender normative in every respect. The reality is transsexuals along with feminine queens and hard butch dykes suffer from constant violent discrimination. How?

1) Feminine queens, butch dykes, transmen and transwomen often lose their jobs. Transmen and women must pay out of pocket for expensive surgeries, only to lose their jobs. It is not uncommon that their situation leaves them with no options except welfare, prostitution, and destitution.

2) They are routinely escorted out of public bathrooms by law enforcement. With few gender neutral bathrooms to speak of, how does one venture out of the house?

3) The nation is becoming increasingly photo ID happy. Imagine being trans and going in to change your driver's license or trying to get a passport. Talk about being stuck. It's always WAY fun to get pulled over for a random ticket in the red states.

4) If you're a transgendered youth in the shelter system, how fun is it to be forced to live in the same room with straight guys? Or how awesome is it to be sex-segregated with the females, who perceive you as a 'man' who is 'masquerading just to get a peek at your undies.'

5) Gosh, emergency room doctors and ambulance drivers find you so entertaining when you're on the gurney. Sometimes they refuse to treat you entirely! If you're one of the lucky ones whose family's sticking by you then you might get some treatment. Key word being MIGHT. Or if you're a trans person who is legally able to marry your partner, you might be all right. MIGHT. If not, you're screwed like the rest of the queers with no one to hold your hand. So don't get sick.

[Dirty Hippie]

21. My transgendered friend

is one of the most courageous people I know. She faces a tremendous amount of hostility here in the south yet she conducts herself with total dignity. Bless her heart.

[jdonaldball]

22. I'm a Lesbian trapped in a Man's body

[the_outsider]

27. Thanks for sharing this and a question

If it helps you a bit in any way, you have my full support and best wishes. I wish you can find love, happiness and inner peace.

One curiosity. As far as I know, according to current scientific theories, there does not seem to be any correlation between one's adult hormone levels and gender identity. If there is an innate gender identity (and I believe there is), it would have to be explained in terms of prenatal hormonal levels and fetal and embryonic neurological development. Since you mentioned your testosterone level in one of your posts, did your doctor suggest that it could be related to your identity and innate feelings in any way?

[Karenina]

28. Na, Duuu, aNindependentsussesKind ausTejas

I'm delighted you posted this as so many have no exposure and don't have any point of reference to understand. You GO-O-O-O and give them one!
That said, I say, "Na, und? Das is mir Würstchen." You have so long ago shown me your Spirit, dedication, honesty, MORAL VALUES, that this revelation is as important to me as if you had announced, "And by the way, I have RED HAIR." :loveya:

[Karenina]

29. Glitch #1

I'm delighted you posted this as so many have no exposure and don't have any point of reference to understand. You GO-O-O-O and give them one!
That said, I say, "Na, und? Das is mir Würstchen." You have so long ago shown me your Spirit, dedication, honesty, MORAL VALUES, that this revelation is as important to me as if you had announced, "And by the way, I have RED HAIR." :loveya:

[Karenina]

30. Glitch #2

How 'bout them votin' machines, eh?

Nothing unusual about my first post other than the wait before the page refreshed. Well, shit, that happens when the board is busy. But a triplicate post on ONE CLICK??? Things that make you go "hmmmmm...."

[Gyre]

34. Why do you think any of us give a sh*t

what you do in your bedroom?

My experience has been that people who are preoccupied with their sexuality are bores at best and manic at worst.

Gyre

[sans qualia]

35. Oy. First of all,

that was mean and completely uncalled for. If you don't care, fine, then just ignore it. Don't go out of your way to be an asshole. Secondly, there is nothing wrong with expressing pride in who you are. That's true even if you are a member of an oppressed and widely misunderstood and maligned group. As a liberal, you should know that. Thirdly, being transgender has nothing to do with "what you do in the bedroom." Ignorance like yours is the reason why AIT made this post in the first place.

Grow up.

[WillyT]

44. Extremely Well Said sans qualia !!!

"As a liberal, you should know that."

I'm thinkin... a regressive progressive at best. Sort of Bi-Polar politics, ya know???

And AIT, I'm proud OF you!!!

Looks like we have some Neanderthals hangin around here still, so courage mate!

:hi:

[the_outsider]

37. transgender is gender identity, completely orthogonal to sexuality

[readmoreoften]

38. Thanks for sharing, Gyre

You ignorant fuck. Get a clue and then come and talk to us.
Fuck you. I worry every day about whether my partner is going to get beaten to death or raped for simply walking down the street without watching his mannerisms and you reduce that to being 'preoccupied with our sexuality'? I'm sorry our suffering and fear for our physical safety and bodily integrity BORES you. I'm sorry if trans people announcing their presence on this site BORES you.

I guess it's pretty easy to not get PREOCCUPIED with transgender issues like we are when you're not transgendered or involved with a person who is.

Sorry we BORE you, I'm sure you're absolutely fascinating. Go ahead... WOW us with your next riviting post.

[WillyT]

45. LOL !!!

:highfive:

:evilgrin:

[Runcible Spoon]

47. what is it with you people?

As others have pointed out, being transgendered goes beyond sexuality, but it is awfully telling that you would automatically frame transgendered issues that way. Often people who have little understanding of an issue color their comments with bigoted assumptions, and in this case, your kneejerk reaction to any mention of transgender, which BTW the OP said nothing of SEX, was to assume that the issue was purely sexual. Would you say to a gay person "shut up about being openly gay, I'm sick of hearing about your gayness"? It is an issue of identity, of living who you truly are in a repressive society that offers no protections for you. This issue is just as relevant as women's rights, gay rights, etc.
BTW, I masturbated last night with a vibrator. It was fun. :evilgrin:

[readmoreoften]

48. heh heh

right on, Farce. good closing line.

[Runcible Spoon]

49. thanks!

and I hope you stick around. It's been getting Bizarro here lately. I'm chalking it up to post-election fallout, and hope things come around.

[NuttyFluffers]

36. hey hun, much love. thanks for sharin'.

might be better situated for the DU lounge, but i guess the general discussion forum is just as good.

now go off and be fabulous!

[readmoreoften]

41. Ignore the ignorant posts, AIT

Keeping coming out and being yourself. Stay strong. There's nothing wrong with being visible. There are people on DU who care about transfolk and will stand beside you.

[Rockerdem]

46. More power to you (as long as you're not my ideal match on eHarmony)

Heck, who knows? I might even change my mind then. Good luck in all your endeavors.

[xultar]

52. I'm here for you and I appreciate who you are and I admire your

self-esteem and confidence.

If you ever feel like you need a friend PM me. If you wanna hang out and chat PM me and I'll give you my Yahoo and AIM user names.

I'm not an ultra political person here on DU and I don't like a whole lotta fighting and complications. I just like to hang, hopefully meet some cool people and make people laugh with some of my funny posts. (Well, at least I think they are funny.)

Anyways I'm glad you're here and I'm glad to get to know the true you.