I've been reading some talk about how being trans is now a trend and that some non-trans people take hrt just because even though they are not trans. Is this true? I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes down to social stuff, but the subject seems to come up every now and then and I am very limited on the cultural info factor.
I never heard of no bs like that ever.
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i don't think it's a trend as much as it is more socially acceptable - more and more trans people are coming out, which makes it seem like it's becoming popular when in reality we've just been hiding in the shadows :P but i've heard of a couple of cases of people pretending to be trans, which is probably down to their own misinterpretations, and i've also heard a lot of debates on whether it's possible to be trans without dysphoria (despite the fact that if you have no gender dysphoria whatsoever, then that means you're fine with your assigned gender, which definitely isn't trans!). a term i have been hearing a lot tho is 'transtrender', which means somebody who 'acts trans' because it's trendy. personally, i think that while there are people who do think of transness as a fashionable thing, i think it's unfair that the term is commonly linked to people who are questioning their gender and experimenting with hormones. just my two cents :)
Maybe for children and teenagers. But as an adult, and yes I'm biased, I can't imagine anyone would go through seeing doctors, therapists and taking hormones just because it's a trend. I know it's something I actively avoided and surpressed for so long.
I do think we're at a pivotal time when people can finally express themselves everywhere on the spectrum. It's still not easy but we're not alone
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I can give you an analogy: left handed
Prior to 1920ish left handed people were chastised. But about that time a medical explanation for it was discovered and people were no longer ashamed to be left handed. It took a few decades but left handed people "are all over the place."
Gender Dysphoria is a thing. People are starting to realize it and accept it. Therefore our numbers increase.
Before mid October 2015 I would have never put a check next to transgender. I've come to realize that if I thought it, so did someone else.
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If being trans* is trendy, it's a bleeping stupid trend. We don't risk endangering our relationships with our judgemental friends and family for the fun of it or to be cool.
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Parody of Mathew McConaughey commercial:
Obligatory cis actor cast to play trans role: I didn't do it to be cool. I didn't do it to start a trend.
I just did it because it feels right; it's who I am, and I'm living my truth! So think about that the next time you decide to be cool and dose estrogen at your next rave party! (cue record scratch sound effect)
What, taking hormones to be cool? Please tell me that's not a thing!
First thing - consider the source.
Most articles I've seen that call it out as trendy are the same sources that rally for bathroom bills and against gay marriage. They are trying to de-legitimize being transgender by framing it as a trendy phase.
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Quote from: Denise on February 09, 2018, 01:50:46 PM
Before mid October 2015 I would have never put a check next to transgender. I've come to realize that if I thought it, so did someone else.
Totally agree, I would have imploded if the last several years hadnt moved Trans so much more from marginalised / despised / to generally mainstream even if they still don't understand but there is more understanding that it is difficult and we are just trying to be happy in our skins .
Katie
This is something that worries me when coming out that people think I'm doing it because either I'm bored or it's trendy. I think that line of thought comes about because they have NO IDEA about gender dysphoria and the bloody living hell that it can be.
No one would want to go through that voluntarily! Then loosing family, being in a minority group with a disgusting amount of suicides (40%?), being laughed at, spat at, beaten up, going through incredible amounts of physical pain and financial ruin. No, personally I don't think it's 'trendy' to go through that. >:(
Being trans is hardly the easiest thing to do. There wouldn't be many who would go through the process just fun or a trend. Especially since there are long term consequences that a person happy with their gender wouldn't want.
When told of my transition , My sister in law, who I have known for 50 years (I'm 55 she is 58), said "that's his choice", I am set for some gentle re-education for her I think. It seems many think its difficult but grouped in with 'Lifestyle choice' stuff. Mine was getting perilously close to choose, or end up not existing.. not a choice really.
Keep safe
Katie
>:-) >:-) >:-) :angel: >:-) >:-) >:-)
Note; Angels/Devils indicate my annoyance level..
I don't know about trendy. But then I didn't know about eating Tide Pods as being trendy either, so that may not mean much.
However, within the last week, I saw a post where a cis woman was advocating taking T to relieve PMS symptoms. So who knows what wacky things people will try?
Would anyone choose to be trans? Thats the real question here. I cant see how anyone would choose this
Quote from: VickyS on February 09, 2018, 02:12:00 PM
This is something that worries me when coming out that people think I'm doing it because either I'm bored or it's trendy. I think that line of thought comes about because they have NO IDEA about gender dysphoria and the bloody living hell that it can be.
No one would want to go through that voluntarily! Then loosing family, being in a minority group with a disgusting amount of suicides (40%?), being laughed at, spat at, beaten up, going through incredible amounts of physical pain and financial ruin. No, personally I don't think it's 'trendy' to go through that. >:(
I read somewhere in the region of 25-40% of trans people had atleast one suicide bid, i thought that was way way too high to be true.... then i looked back on my own feelings
I dont worry about anyone thinkig its a trend when i come out its more is this a phase or a sexual kink.
If the pop of people identifiying as trans goes up yes theres a trend in data terms but i cant ever see how its trendy
Quote from: Phoenix1742 on February 09, 2018, 02:06:04 PM
First thing - consider the source.
Most articles I've seen that call it out as trendy are the same sources that rally for bathroom bills and against gay marriage. They are trying to de-legitimize being transgender by framing it as a trendy phase.
Exactly! Mic drop for Phoenix!
- Stephanie
There is a lot involved so it is not anything to take lightly.
Is it trendy? I do not know.
Do many people transition because just because they think it is a trendy thing to do? Unlikely.
Chrissy
Quote from: Allison S on February 09, 2018, 01:13:10 PM
Maybe for children and teenagers. But as an adult, and yes I'm biased, I can't imagine anyone would go through seeing doctors, therapists and taking hormones just because it's a trend. I know it's something I actively avoided and surpressed for so long.
I do think we're at a pivotal time when people can finally express themselves everywhere on the spectrum. It's still not easy but we're not alone
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But if it is for children and teenagers instead of adults wouldn't that have more consequences because they are still int he developing phase of their bodies and minds? That is if they do take hormones since if they don't then there shouldn't be too much of lasting effects since hormones change the body and brain. I wonder what sort of things we will hear and see at around 10 years from now?
I did a lot of reading while moving forward one of the things i first read was this
Some cautionary tales collected by a researcher
http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/Warning.html
I would say it would be rare but then there are some people who will take "experimental " to the extremes
I had a thought at the beginning that no man in his right mind would ever have the thought its not something a man thinks about if he's male it was a kind of realization
Which is why some informed Gender clinics only prescribe puberty blockers to adolescents , to stop the onset of puberty until the child is more aware of their true gender. Just prescribing hormones too easily too early without a very good reason is insensitive and illogical to me.
Katie
>:-)
I think Phoenix is exactly right when she posted:
Quote from: Phoenix1742 on February 09, 2018, 02:06:04 PM
First thing - consider the source.
Most articles I've seen that call it out as trendy are the same sources that rally for bathroom bills and against gay marriage. They are trying to de-legitimize being transgender by framing it as a trendy phase.
Humans being humans, I guess there probably is someone, somewhere, taking HRT because they think being trans is trendy. However, they're undoubtedly the exception, not the rule.
I can't comment on the taking hormones part, but I have had firsthand experience of things where people say they're trans just because they think it's the cool thing to do. Although I should say this is online, in gaming. And when spoken to in more depth, such people went on to admit they actually weren't and only said it because it seemed people noticed them.
I think it's something that some people have latched onto because it makes them perceived to be different, and they want to be different. They want the attention. Certainly that's been my experience with it when speaking to people. I don't know how common it is outside of the people I've met, though.
Quote from: Sephirah on February 09, 2018, 04:13:26 PM
I can't comment on the taking hormones part, but I have had firsthand experience of things where people say they're trans just because they think it's the cool thing to do. Although I should say this is online, in gaming. And when spoken to in more depth, such people went on to admit they actually weren't and only said it because it seemed people noticed them.
I think it's something that some people have latched onto because it makes them perceived to be different, and they want to be different. They want the attention. Certainly that's been my experience with it when speaking to people. I don't know how common it is outside of the people I've met, though.
Kinda like the "Stolen Valor" turds who want attention.
Quote from: Sephirah on February 09, 2018, 04:13:26 PM
I can't comment on the taking hormones part, but I have had firsthand experience of things where people say they're trans just because they think it's the cool thing to do. Although I should say this is online, in gaming. And when spoken to in more depth, such people went on to admit they actually weren't and only said it because it seemed people noticed them.
I think it's something that some people have latched onto because it makes them perceived to be different, and they want to be different. They want the attention. Certainly that's been my experience with it when speaking to people. I don't know how common it is outside of the people I've met, though.
That's sort of my take on it. I remember in the 90s being surprised when my kids in high school told me that it was trendy to tell everyone you were gay. It was a time where LGBTQ was getting a lot of exposure and finding its way into greater public perception and acceptance. If this is happening with trans, then I see that as a good thing. Foolish, yes, but good. It's likely that it's more talk than action, like you said, but it could be signaling progress on greater acceptance in society.
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Quote from: Asakawa on February 09, 2018, 02:49:12 PM
But if it is for children and teenagers instead of adults wouldn't that have more consequences because they are still int he developing phase of their bodies and minds? That is if they do take hormones since if they don't then there shouldn't be too much of lasting effects since hormones change the body and brain. I wonder what sort of things we will hear and see at around 10 years from now?
Well it'll teach them a lesson; if you're not a woman then you wouldn't wanna grow boobies! Just kidding it's actually a serious issue to have to detransition after because it was a mistake.
What do you mean what things we'll hear and see?
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Quote from: Phoenix1742 on February 09, 2018, 02:06:04 PM
First thing - consider the source.
Most articles I've seen that call it out as trendy are the same sources that rally for bathroom bills and against gay marriage. They are trying to de-legitimize being transgender by framing it as a trendy phase.
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This is true. I've also occasionally seen this kind of commentary from actual trans people along the lines of "Non-binary people aren't really trans! They're just stealing all our hormones so they can look like special snowflakes!"
Which...that's not how pharmaceuticals work? More demand generally leads to increased supplies of a drug. Also, if your gender dysphoria is bad enough that you're willing to endure all the side effects of HRT, I'm pretty sure that by even the most conservative definitions that qualifies you as some flavor of trans.
I haven't heard about non-trans people taking hormones "just because", but I do agree with others in the thread in that I feel like being trans is becoming a lot more socially acceptable, and therefore, a lot more people feel comfortable coming out.
I feel as though Millennials and the generations that are coming after -- Gen Y, Gen Z, etc.-- feel a lot more comfortable and confident in exploring their gender, and that's awesome!! I also feel like because of the internet there are a lot of great resources for young trans and gender questioning kids that definitely weren't around when I was going through puberty in the early 2000s, even, that really helps kids discover and explore their identity at an earlier age.
I think there has been a genuine large increase in the number of transgender people since WW2, due to the medical use of synthetic hormones in pregnant women. There certainly seems to be a strong association between exposure to DES and transgender, and if one of these drugs can make large numbers of people trans without the link being spotted, that makes it far more likely that others are too. If there were as many transgender people per head of population in past centuries as there are now, there'd surely be more mention of it in history books, and the battle we're currently fighting for acceptance would have been fought long ago.
Hello Katie Again
Your first comment hits it right on the nail. One of the problems we face is that some ignorant people think Transgender is a change of lifestyle. How ridiculous. We are the same person. Our mind is right. We correct our appearance to be our true selves.
Hello Asakawa and others
Look forward to 10 years from now. It is not a trend. We are gradually gaining societal acceptance. It takes time but we are getting there.
Pamela
One of the main things my mother said when I told her I was properly transitioning was that she perceived it as a "fashion trend" lately.
And when I did have that conversation it was about six months after Caitlyn Jenner's transition story, and about a year following a relative who also said they were transitioning. Although my original coming out email to her preceded both of those things by over a year, I guess the sudden glut of people coming forward made it seem like a trend to her. But I can't exactly say I am surprised - during the year I was listed to the GIC for the first time, the new referrals were up 400% on the previous year, 2014. That people "see" a sudden surge in trans people is true.
But I have noticed on some sites, especially tumblr, there seems to be a subculture of people on there for who gender identity is more recreational. That I do think fits the description of a trend, and some of it may well have bled over into real life. Many of the tumblr crowd are young and impressionable. It's entirely possible some people on there have come to think themselves trans when they aren't due to that pervasive subculture.
In everyday life though, I don't think it's trendy or "cool" at all to be trans. If it was, coming out would be easy, transitioning would be accepted by almost everyone, non-trans people would be jealous of us and want to be us. I don't think that's happening.
Well I felt I needed include a "Caitlyn Jenner had nothing to do with this" disclaimer in my coming out email to my family. Don't think any of them would have thought I was being trendy by transitioning, but still felt I needed to say that it wasn't a me too thing that I'm doing.
Around 5 years ago (so before Caitlyn) I was thinking I wanted to try some type of part time mostly in the closet arrangement that my wife, at least, would need to know about. This was because I was crossdressing pretty much every chance I had. I wasn't thinking HRT at the time but I could never figure out how I could bring it up or how it would work.
Then came a major life event, I lost my job.
I'd changed jobs plenty before but always was my decision. Part of me blamed my crossdressing and I purged nearly all of my clothes and went into a mental funk. No rational reason for that blame, it had nothing to do with it.
I worked in the mean time, but it took about 5 months to get my current job and have that cloud of getting fired lifted.
Another two and a half years or so of binge/purge crossdressing and the damn finally broke. After the last purge I sought out a therapist to find out WTF was going on.
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Quote from: Kylo on February 10, 2018, 07:49:35 AM
But I have noticed on some sites, especially tumblr, there seems to be a subculture of people on there for who gender identity is more recreational. That I do think fits the description of a trend, and some of it may well have bled over into real life. Many of the tumblr crowd are young and impressionable. It's entirely possible some people on there have come to think themselves trans when they aren't due to that pervasive subculture.
This hits the nail on the head for me and matches my experience.
Young people do difficult things all the time to be part of a subculture, and whether we like it or not, "trans" for young people is becoming a subculture complete with fandom, music, and fashion aesthetic, whether or not participation is coming from someplace genuine, experimental, or flat-out peer-pressured.
We can all point to something stupid we did as teenagers to give the middle finger to our parents and be part of something subversive. Being trans is in many ways easier than trying to practice witchcraft, wear inverted crosses and black clothes and black makeup in a deeply christian household. My mother never threw my masc clothes away, but she sure did throw my "satanic" clothes in the trash.
I have also herd that some parents who follow the 'trend' kind of push the trend of transition on to their young kids. Almost like an expectation. This was something that I saw a >-bleeped-< a while back, but it stuck to me. I am not sure if it is very common at all, but if it was mentioned there must be some degree of it. I have read more of the 'being trans is trendy' and I tend to be pretty disconnected from social stuff. How? Well, I don't know a television, and since 4 years ago I cut my land line internet and instead got a mobile wifi with a max of 5gigs for internet use that I SHARE with my family. So, what ever little time I do get to search with is very limited lol.
Quote from: Asakawa on February 11, 2018, 07:50:43 PM
I have also herd that some parents who follow the 'trend' kind of push the trend of transition on to their young kids. Almost like an expectation. This was something that I saw a >-bleeped-< a while back, but it stuck to me. I am not sure if it is very common at all, but if it was mentioned there must be some degree of it. I have read more of the 'being trans is trendy' and I tend to be pretty disconnected from social stuff. How? Well, I don't know a television, and since 4 years ago I cut my land line internet and instead got a mobile wifi with a max of 5gigs for internet use that I SHARE with my family. So, what ever little time I do get to search with is very limited lol.
Thankfully there is an extremely rare condition called MUNCHAUSEN BY PROXY (MBP) where a parent might force an illness on a child. The fact that it's rare means not all doctor might be looking for it but I suspect that any reputably gender program would give the children enough therapy to verify that the child is transgender and it's not something in the mind of the parents.
Quote from: Asakawa on February 11, 2018, 07:50:43 PM
I have also herd that some parents who follow the 'trend' kind of push the trend of transition on to their young kids. Almost like an expectation. This was something that I saw a >-bleeped-< a while back, but it stuck to me. I am not sure if it is very common at all, but if it was mentioned there must be some degree of it. I have read more of the 'being trans is trendy' and I tend to be pretty disconnected from social stuff. How? Well, I don't know a television, and since 4 years ago I cut my land line internet and instead got a mobile wifi with a max of 5gigs for internet use that I SHARE with my family. So, what ever little time I do get to search with is very limited lol.
If it was mentioned there must be some degree of it? Really? I read something once about a woman in Florida who had three breasts. That, not surprisingly, turned out to be fake. People make stuff up all the time to drive internet traffic for money.
This discussion was originally about whether cis people take hormones for fun. Why any cis male in his right mind would willingly take drugs that consistently impair sexual function is pretty far beyond me—or why any cis female would sign up for permanently wrecking her voice for that matter.
Now you try to change the subject to parents pressuring their children to transition? And your assertions in both cases are not supported by any links to reliable information — or to any information for that matter.
QuotePeople make stuff up all the time to drive internet traffic for money.
That was happening long before there was an internet. Ever notice those "supermarket rags", while you're waiting to pay for your groceries? Then, of course, there's FOX News. ;)
The Grey aliens who kidnapped me told me that all the stories in those tabloids are true!!!!!
Quote from: Cassi on February 11, 2018, 09:28:43 PM
The Grey aliens who kidnapped me told me that all the stories in those tabloids are true!!!!!
Mine were green! ;)
Quote from: AnneK on February 11, 2018, 09:30:32 PM
Mine were green! ;)
I think the green ones are reptilians.
Quote from: Asakawa on February 09, 2018, 01:03:23 PM
I've been reading some talk about how being trans is now a trend and that some non-trans people take hrt just because even though they are not trans. Is this true? I'm pretty out of the loop when it comes down to social stuff, but the subject seems to come up every now and then and I am very limited on the cultural info factor.
I agree with a lot of posters, who say pay attention to the source.
A lot of Anti Trans people, claim is it's trending, so they can be dismissive to our identities. But a lot of people still have a negative opinion of transgender people. So I can't imagine what's trendy about not having any family. ( I don't have a relationship with any of mine.)
As for people who aren't transgender, just taking hormones. I can't imagine that being common. Reading the side effects of the estradiol, I take, should be enough to stop most cisgendered men from taking it.
But as I read elsewhere, if you are a cisgendered male, and you take female hormones, you will become dysphoric. Just not in the way most of us are. Because what man would want to have, shrunken testicles, shrunken penis size, erectile dysfunction , and boobs. I'm not a man, so these changes are positive for me. But for a cisgendered male, not so much.
So no I don't think it's trendy. And I think people just use it to be dismissive about us. And maybe even to feel better about attempting to exclude us from society.
I hope I didn't offend anyone.
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Quote from: Cassi on February 11, 2018, 09:31:41 PM
I think the green ones are reptilians.
Cassi et al
Are you sure you aren't green as well.
but generally I agree as we get slowly more mainstream and 'normal' the western civilisation people see us less as Aliens and more part of our culture. Same as being Gay was 30 years ago. may take longer though as most TV documentaries are playing to the mass market rather that the real truth it seems to me.
usual journalistic issues
Hugz n Love
Katie
:angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: >:-) >:-) >:-) :angel: :angel:
Quote from: Katie Again on February 17, 2018, 06:36:16 PM
Cassi et al
Are you sure you aren't green as well.
but generally I agree as we get slowly more mainstream and 'normal' the western civilisation people see us less as Aliens and more part of our culture. Same as being Gay was 30 years ago. may take longer though as most TV documentaries are playing to the mass market rather that the real truth it seems to me.
usual journalistic issues
Hugz n Love
Katie
:angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: :angel: >:-) >:-) >:-) :angel: :angel:
Hugs Back!
No, not a green reptilian. But, I vaguely recall the alien who morphed into a horse's head when she was flying me in her spaceship stated that I was "Nordish" or something to that effect :)
BTW, once I told her I didn't want to go, she turned her spacecraft around and brought me home :)