I always hear the term transphobia or homophobia, phobia meaning fear. Not trying to get into the semantics of this word versus that word, but it seems like the word doesn't always describe the vitriol aimed at us. For example, Harley's recent run in with a drunk jerk. It seemed more like trans-hostile or trans-hateful. I guess I am not convinced extreme reactions against us are fear based, but rather hate based.
I think you are right, but people hate what they fear and fear what they don't understand.
Even though I'm trans I have real internalised transphobia.
Fear is definitely only a tiny, tiny part of the reason for the hate. It's always been a somewhat reductivist label or outright misnomer. I've never been fond of the phobia terms personally. But at the same time, I do think it has become enough of a standard phrasing that people understand what it means even if the etymology is questionable, which at the end of the day is really all that matters in language I guess. Still, I do bristle at it a bit, particularly as I believe it does a disservice to accurately describing the true nature of the attitudes we face. Calling it a phobia almost feels like it excuses it at times as something people can't help, when I don't believe that to be true.
(Internalized homophobia and transphobia is of course a far more accurate usage of the terms. I'd wager that using homophobia in a more blanket form originally was sort of a backhand against bigots by saying "well you hate us so much, you must be secretly gay" or something to that effect to get under their skin.)
Yes, it is just meanness. But I think that meanness is often motivated by fear.
They are not afraid of the trans people themselves, but of being seen as trans-friendly. "I have to denounce or attack these trans people so that my friends won't think I am one of them." It is peer pressure, and that is usually motivated by fear: fear of rejection by the in-group.
Etymologically, the word "transphobia" doesn't work, but it can certainly be some sort of phobia.
Quote from: HappyMoni on April 19, 2018, 05:17:53 PM
I always hear the term transphobia or homophobia, phobia meaning fear. Not trying to get into the semantics of this word versus that word, but it seems like the word doesn't always describe the vitriol aimed at us. For example, Harley's recent run in with a drunk jerk. It seemed more like trans-hostile or trans-hateful. I guess I am not convinced extreme reactions against us are fear based, but rather hate based.
Moni,I think that you are correct.... in my opinion,
fear has nothing to do with the jerks and creeps that demean us, insult us, and confront us as transitioners...it is definite in my opinion that they can hate us for what we are and who we are becoming.
Many of those jerks and creeps (men and women) when faced with others that have differing viewpoints, also act mean and threatening to straight people as well...
Hatred and meanness are undesirable traits, and we have to be careful as transitioners that we don't exhibit hatred toward those that have different and opposite viewpoints. We can express our displeasure, dislike or even debate the issues but hatred and meanness have no place anywhere.
Danielle
Quote from: KathyLauren on April 19, 2018, 05:33:01 PM
Yes, it is just meanness. But I think that meanness if often motivated by fear.
They are not afraid of the trans people themselves, but of being seen as trans-friendly. "I have to denounce or attack these trans people so that my friends won't think I am one of them." It is peer pressure, and that is usually motivated by fear: fear of rejection by the in-group.
Etymologically, the word "transphobia" doesn't work, but it can certainly be some sort of phobia.
I think your correct here Kathy, but there are some that are raised to hate anything that is different than how they see things.
Cultural normative behaviors and cultural taboos are largely driven by the ancient "fear of outsiders", found in primate bands and tribes, and used to reject any member who deviates sufficiently from normative behaviors.
Our particular culture, the Western heteronormative patriarchy, has established a fairly narrow range of acceptable behaviors, particularly in gender roles and expression, the gender binary. This culture is slightly more tolerant of variations by what are considered weaker or less threatening classes of members, women and children, and less tolerant of variations in the dominant class of members.
The cultural fear is expressed in conditioned responses to unacceptable variations, expressed as outrage or anger. In many persons, an errant positive feedback path exists in the brain, rewarding outrage and "righteous indignation" at unacceptable variations with a flood of chemicals, such that the outraged person is neurochemically rewarded for their righteous indignation.
These persons act as enforcers of the cultural normative and acceptable variations.
Cultural change to bring transgender persons, particularly MtF, within the range of acceptable variations may take many generations, as we wait fro the righteous indignation junkies to eventually lose their addiction or die off.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
One aspect of transphobia that is not often mentioned is jealousy.
Transgender people have by their own determination and sheer need changed their lives and tackled major issues so that we can face life as we want and need to live. While it is always a struggle and great problems and angst are involved it does reflect a conscious decision to change and face our problem.
I feel in some cases the backlash we get from some people is straight-out jealousy. They have not faced their issues, whatever they are, and not necessarily be gender related, however the awareness that some one else has taken the steps to change and to face the world as themselves can be overwhelming.
You also see this of course within the community.
I don't know. I don't believe that the hate is divorced from fear. I think there are a lot of different fears out there that play into people's transphobia. Everything from, "Does liking a trans woman make me gay," to "OMG those Snowflakes are ruining this country!"
In a sense hate is fear.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro
A lot of it is just the "ick" factor.
Since cis people seem obsessed with genitalia, the first thing they think of when they think of trans people is SRS. To someone who is cis the idea of that is so abhorrent they don't want to be reminded of it at all, and resent us making them think of it.
I think part of it is that we upset the model of how the world works that they live by and draw comfort from. If you imagine a world inhabited by solely cis-het people, who are very binary in their expression, then simply looking at someone would give you a lot of information. If you see someone in a dress with long hair, you know she's a woman, you have a rough idea of what her reproductive organs look like. You know that she is either looking for or has found a man, and you know what social graces you should show her if that is needed.
If trans people, or gay people, or non binary people are in the mix, all of a sudden you can't be sure of that information. That can be very unsettling to people.
Quote from: HappyMoni on April 19, 2018, 05:17:53 PM
I always hear the term transphobia or homophobia, phobia meaning fear. Not trying to get into the semantics of this word versus that word, but it seems like the word doesn't always describe the vitriol aimed at us. For example, Harley's recent run in with a drunk jerk. It seemed more like trans-hostile or trans-hateful. I guess I am not convinced extreme reactions against us are fear based, but rather hate based.
I think there exists a large element in humanity that honestly feel the need to have seething hate or disregard for other elements of society... so you'll find people that hate others based on religion, politics (yes!), culture, upbrining, sexuality, gender, etc... Even simply having different hair color (the step child redhead cliche).
I don't think it has anything to do with 'fear'.. usually. Humans in general are just capable of horrible and cruel emotions. Hate is just one of many. Humans are also capable of amazing acts of loyalty and love.. its just sad to see we haven't gotten beyond the darker aspects.
To think that they somehow are jealous, fearful, envious, etc... is to probably give them too much credit. Certainly some might, but definitely not all I'd even argue even a majority probably simply hate because it makes them feel better (for whatever misguided reasons). Welcome to human psychology.
I don't think all of the aggression directed at trans people is rooted in fear.
Harley's antagonist could easily have been a garden variety bully. I don't even want to get into what makes them tick, I have enough of my own crap swimming around in my head.
There are the religious people whose animosity seems fairly straight forward.
Isn't there more involved really with anyone who is overtly hostile about anything to anyone? Fear might be a path but I don't believe it is the only path. "Transphobia" is a convenient way to look at it for some perhaps, and maybe even used to garner a certain response. In some cases it is absolutely the perfect word to use, and in others probably not even close to being accurate.
Some people are not nice. Some people just want an excuse. Some people hate ANYONE who is different. Some people prey on anyone they can. Is it phobic though?
Look for boogeyman under the bed and he may actually be there but there is more likely a pair of shoes that should have been thrown away years ago, a dust bunny the size of your cat, that stupid sock that has been missing forever and maybe even a slightly used tissue under there.
I know how some people can treat us, the anger and hatred they have, but I am very sure it is not all based in fear.
It is not fear or hate. Most people like what they are used to and have certain views to see the world. If somebody is teached that there is a binary gender/sex system, everyone who is outside this box is challenging the persons view to see the world. It makes some folks really uncomfortable, because they have to change what they always thought "the truth" was. Also minority groups, in this case transgender, are always a target to impose some sort of "otherness".
Gesendet von meinem GT-I9195 mit Tapatalk
After thinking about this for a while I tend to believe that hate/loathing does originate from fear.
In the American missionary school I attended the foundation on which everything else seemed to be built on was that unless you believe and do the right things you go to hell. The independent use of logic could obviously lead to doubt—so the school made sure that that all exercises in critical thinking were guided to arrive at predawn conclusions. Moreover, materials that were deemed dangerous or upsetting were largely kept locked away and/or censored. (Even the classical nudes in the art books received nice black magic marker swimsuits courtesy of the kind school librarian.)
Now, the very thought burning in a lake of fire forever with no relief is pretty scary. To avoid it we were taught to remain pure and turn away from all sin. Homosexuality and crossdressing were not just some random examples of sin that could send us there. Rather, they were in a way worse than extramarital sex, robbery or murder because those sins could be repented and put behind. Living as a homosexual or a crossdresser on the other hand meant choosing to continuously violate God's laws by engaging in perversion of nature.
While not necessarily stated in so many words, what we were implicitly taught was that we should try to convert anyone living in sin in order to save them. If conversion didn't succeed, we were to avoid their influence and to continually pray that they would eventually drop their evil ways and become like us.
Now, to save someone from drowning you have to be in a physically better position. You have to also ensure that you yourself don't fall or get pulled under water. Parents tend to also warn and admonish their children to never get into a situation where they could drown.
Similarly, to save someone from hell I guess you have to be in a morally superior position, and to ensure you yourself don't fall into sin. In the mission school I attended this in practice this meant telling the ones who needed to be saved how terrible the things they were doing were, while at the same time trying to not catch any untoward influence by talking with them. The parents also very generously and frequently admonished their children against approaching anything that might imperil their souls.
Many of the children I knew grew up faithfully hating all sin. Many of those who became apostates also retained the aversions that were installed in them.
What I find interesting is that some friends who were brought up by parents with a fear of sharp objects also suffer from the same fear. While they've told me they know the fear is illogical I now see them also screaming when their children touch sharp objects. Thus, the same fear will probably be passed on to yet another generation.
Similarly, many of the children of these apostates will most probably also absorb the fear and loathing that their parents and grandparents feel—despite the fact that there may no longer be any Christianity involved in the process.
I think this is how fear and loathing is preserved across generations.
Unless a person has been traumatized specifically by trans people there doesn't seem a reasonable cause to hate or fear them so strongly.
Hence why I think it's actually closer to disgust, which is a specific psychological response in humans and animals. Very often it's a response to things that are not "normal" or "usual" to that person. The degree of disgust can be small, almost unnoticeable (hence you can get people who claim they aren't bothered by trans people - until they suddenly find one in their life, or even find that they themselves are trans) or it can be major and immediate - maybe because someone is ideologically or religiously primed to feel disgust for anything unusual in the routine of life they have adopted.
(Traditionalists and conservatives often have a stronger sense of disgust for things out of the norm than more liberal-minded people, although this isn't fixed and is more like a psychological habit. The root of this is that 'stability' for these people is reinforced by a sense of there being clearly defined boundaries between one thing and another, e.g. sex, gender roles, dress codes etc. When those things bleed into one another, they elicit a measure of uncertainty, confusion and therefore instability... leading to disgust as a controlling response).
That said I've found so-called liberals who are disgusted by trans people and so-called conservatives who aren't. I'm not completely sure yet but it seems to me that those who are tend to be blanket-judgers. So you can get a conservative-minded person who by their own code ought to be disgusted by trans people, actually knows a trans person personally and judges them on the sort of person they are rather than the label (many of my friends are conservative-minded people and have been the least bigoted), and you can get a liberal-minded person who is so used to judging people on labels or collectives that they actually turn out to be far more judgemental toward the trans label as a whole (my mother claims to be liberal but actually isn't on the trans issue, and she does enjoy blanket judging the trans community as "attention-whores").
All negative emotions stem from some sort of fear.
Many fascinating responses already and I concur with most.
Phobias often stems from fear but also may be due to one's own internal biases; we all have internal preferences and biases for or against something and preconceptions.
Transphobia may stem from fear or from meanness or from being opposed to anything outside ones comfort zone.
However another reason for transphobia in my view is ignorance. They do not understand us and many do not want to understand us and therefore are against us. Certainly I agree with Zirconia's view on biases/fears/loathing being passed from generation to generation.
A very sad state of affairs but to finish with a point of optimism: I feel Transphobia is less pronounced in the those now reaching adulthood.
Pamela
Ignorance causes fear.
Don't take my word for it, but I also think a lot of this whole "transphobia" has to do with how transgender people are portrayed in the media. None of the websites or magazines ever (or very rarely) focus on transgender men, and instead focus on transwomen because apparently transwomen are easier to sensationalize.
Because of a local "Coming Out" event, I was interviewed for our local newspaper since I'm trans. When talking about the included photo, the journalist asked me if I could wear a very girly dress, preferably pink. I declined, since I'm not some loli, and as an adult woman I wouldn't wear one even if I had one! But this just goes to show how badly transwomen are sensationalized; it's always about trying to make us appear as "shocking" to the general public as possible, and I hate that.
There are 3 main factors to this:
- Religion
- Insecurity in ones sexually
- Modern sjws trying to force people to think x
The first 1 not much can be done about as anyone true to their religion would rather die then betray their religion. The second can be fixed through just experiences and the final one is a real problem for our community as crazy people are always in the media just making all of ushave a harder time. In reality the only way the 3rd one is addressed is if normal trans people get well known for just being humans and not professional victims.
Its not meaniness its experience and until what the average person is feed with everyday is not bad things about trans it really wont change.
Quote from: Doreen on April 19, 2018, 10:23:44 PM
I think there exists a large element in humanity that honestly feel the need to have seething hate or disregard for other elements of society... so you'll find people that hate others based on religion, politics (yes!), culture, upbrining, sexuality, gender, etc... Even simply having different hair color (the step child redhead cliche).
I don't think it has anything to do with 'fear'.. usually. Humans in general are just capable of horrible and cruel emotions. Hate is just one of many. Humans are also capable of amazing acts of loyalty and love.. its just sad to see we haven't gotten beyond the darker aspects.
To think that they somehow are jealous, fearful, envious, etc... is to probably give them too much credit. Certainly some might, but definitely not all I'd even argue even a majority probably simply hate because it makes them feel better (for whatever misguided reasons). Welcome to human psychology.
I am the proverbial "Redheaded Step Child". I believe humans to be very tribal, in that they want others to be akin to them.
Cis/Heterosexual
Caucasian/Christian
Just examples, you throw an outsider into the mix and things can get bad.
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
Quote from: LilDevilOfPrada on April 20, 2018, 10:42:49 AM
There are 3 main factors to this:
- Religion
- Insecurity in ones sexually
- Modern sjws trying to force people to think x
The first 1 not much can be done about as anyone true to their religion would rather die then betray their religion. The second can be fixed through just experiences and the final one is a real problem for our community as crazy people are always in the media just making all of ushave a harder time. In reality the only way the 3rd one is addressed is if normal trans people get well known for just being humans and not professional victims.
Its not meaniness its experience and until what the average person is feed with everyday is not bad things about trans it really wont change.
I agree with this wholeheartedly.
I have experienced hate based comments at work mostly from on construction sites from construction workers and on the street mostly from guys getting rejected from their crude sexual advances. The amount of hate based comments are few compared to the number af social interaction I experience. I think those that made the comment are in general dim and I suspect have social interaction issues in other areas. We present a target that has been poorly represented in media and demonized in religion and politics.
Hi Moni, good question and as usual, I am driven to a different angle on this one. My biggest hurdle in understanding myself and transitioning was being able to accept the fact that I am transgender and it was difficult for me to like that, or get past my internal transphobia. Be it socialization by whatever powers that be, I had big problems accepting and liking my transgender self. Was it hate or ignorance or the taught wrongfulness of it all, I have no idea but getting to the point that being transgender was ok allowed me to not end my life but to embrace myself and hence flourish. My partner had a similar hurdle with homophobia, getting past that allowed her to love her now female partner. I expect that most of us have had similar struggles and I for one have a problem calling it hate that I had for myself. Perhaps it is in the definitions we carry but each to their own.
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on April 20, 2018, 05:45:01 PM
Hi Moni, good question and as usual, I am driven to a different angle on this one. My biggest hurdle in understanding myself and transitioning was being able to accept the fact that I am transgender and it was difficult for me to like that, or get past my internal transphobia. Be it socialization by whatever powers that be, I had big problems accepting and liking my transgender self. Was it hate or ignorance or the taught wrongfulness of it all, I have no idea but getting to the point that being transgender was ok allowed me to not end my life but to embrace myself and hence flourish. My partner had a similar hurdle with homophobia, getting past that allowed her to love her now female partner. I expect that most of us have had similar struggles and I for one have a problem calling it hate that I had for myself. Perhaps it is in the definitions we carry but each to their own.
Tia Anne
Don't you think, Ann, that if we eliminated the hostility toward our condition by society that us changing our bodies to who we were mentally born to be would be no problem at all in our own minds. "Oh, this physiological condition exists to this part of our population, let's help them to align body and mind so they could not be mentally distressed!" Just like any other physiological condition! We would have no need for internalized hate.
Then again, human nature is such that many times those who feel bad about themselves look for anyone who is different to step on to boost up their own self worth. Too tall, too short, too heavy, too anything and you are likely to be someone's target for scorn. Trans folk might just be the least powerful of the minorities. We are still fair game because we are so few and the powerful don't care to step up to stand by our side. Hopefully that is starting to change.
Quote from: HappyMoni on April 22, 2018, 01:03:11 PM
Don't you think, Ann, that if we eliminated the hostility toward our condition by society that us changing our bodies to who we were mentally born to be would be no problem at all in our own minds. "Oh, this physiological condition exists to this part of our population, let's help them to align body and mind so they could not be mentally distressed!" Just like any other physiological condition! We would have no need for internalized hate.
Then again, human nature is such that many times those who feel bad about themselves look for anyone who is different to step on to boost up their own self worth. Too tall, too short, too heavy, too anything and you are likely to be someone's target for scorn. Trans folk might just be the least powerful of the minorities. We are still fair game because we are so few and the powerful don't care to step up to stand by our side. Hopefully that is starting to change.
I'm not Anne, but yes, trans children raised in a loving and accepting environment often do not experience classic gender dysphoria combined with anxiety and depression. The social pressures demanding conformity are reduced or missing, and they develop in a much healthier way and can flourish.
It's not just 'human' nature. In several primate species, behavior has been observed in which a marginalized group in turn will pick out the weakest or most variant members of their subgroup to attack and further marginalize. Presumably they get to feel better about themselves then...
Hi Michelle,
I see you have been watching Planet of the Apes again! lol
Quote from: HappyMoni on April 22, 2018, 08:25:14 PM
Hi Michelle,
I see you have been watching Planet of the Apes again! lol
Funny!
The actual behavior has been observed in bonobos and some other primates that live in bands, though.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Quote from: HappyMoni on April 22, 2018, 01:03:11 PM
Don't you think, Ann, that if we eliminated the hostility toward our condition by society that us changing our bodies to who we were mentally born to be would be no problem at all in our own minds. "Oh, this physiological condition exists to this part of our population, let's help them to align body and mind so they could not be mentally distressed!" Just like any other physiological condition! We would have no need for internalized hate.
Precisely. If this hostility did not exist or at least could be diminished somewhat, our lives would be so much easier. The answer of course is education but it takes time to change thinking or culture in society.
Pamela
I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared. You are an a$$hole. Quote from morgan freeman . It is the same for Transphobia. There is nothing to be scared of some people are just jerks. Is there jerk phobia?
Can I just make up a new word?
Mysogyny: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
Mysandry: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men.
My made up word...
Mysotransy: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against transgender people.
I've heard the term transmysogyny thrown around, but I'm not sure just how accurate that is etymologically. And don't ask me to pronounce my made up word either! 🤣
Moni, you may be right, but..... Junior high school was one of the worst times of my life, perhaps this is the same for many. I was not aware of any gender identity disconnect within myself, all I knew was that I did not fit in and did not understand the rules of the "Game". For those of us that did not fit in, life was about being on the wrong side of hazing, abusing and getting beat on. This was when I started trying to figure out coping mechanisms big time. I do not believe that the ones doing the abusing and beating would have been open for or even malleable by any form of educating or enlightening. They were all about power structure and maintaining or changing their position in the alpha male (girls probably had their own hierarchy as well) dominance chain. Their fear was losing their position and becoming one of us, the ones getting beat on. I don't believe that this was because I might have been trans or anything in particular, just being somehow different was enough. One time in high school it was enough that I was alone and that there were three of them...enough justification for a beat down, and they did not even know me. It worked for them (them being the "Normal guys accepted by their peers) then and without reason to change, I believe that it still works for them now. Yes, most of them have become more aware of the world and people around them but until they SEE and FEEL a reason to care about the marginalized, they will probably revert back to their tried and true method of dealing with those of us that are different, regardless of the difference be it lgbtq+, long hair, wrong race, wrong religion, wrong form of dress, wrong politics, wrong accent, sometimes even wrong make of car. These are just the ramblings of a crazy old lady, take them for what they are worth.
Tia Anne
Quote from: Anne Blake on April 23, 2018, 09:53:19 AM
Moni, you may be right, but..... Junior high school was one of the worst times of my life, perhaps this is the same for many. I was not aware of any gender identity disconnect within myself, all I knew was that I did not fit in and did not understand the rules of the "Game". For those of us that did not fit in, life was about being on the wrong side of hazing, abusing and getting beat on. This was when I started trying to figure out coping mechanisms big time. I do not believe that the ones doing the abusing and beating would have been open for or even malleable by any form of educating or enlightening. They were all about power structure and maintaining or changing their position in the alpha male (girls probably had their own hierarchy as well) dominance chain. Their fear was losing their position and becoming one of us, the ones getting beat on. I don't believe that this was because I might have been trans or anything in particular, just being somehow different was enough. One time in high school it was enough that I was alone and that there were three of them...enough justification for a beat down, and they did not even know me. It worked for them (them being the "Normal guys accepted by their peers) then and without reason to change, I believe that it still works for them now. Yes, most of them have become more aware of the world and people around them but until they SEE and FEEL a reason to care about the marginalized, they will probably revert back to their tried and true method of dealing with those of us that are different, regardless of the difference be it lgbtq+, long hair, wrong race, wrong religion, wrong form of dress, wrong politics, wrong accent, sometimes even wrong make of car. These are just the ramblings of a crazy old lady, take them for what they are worth.
Tia Anne
Anne,
I agree with with every thing you just wrote. I think we had a similar experience.
Mine just seemed to level out one day in the library (8th grade).
The boy who had beating me the most, other than my dad, was thumping me on the ear that day during a history lesson. I just lost my marbles, quietly picked my folding steel chair and started bashing him about the head with it.
He left my CRAZY A$$ alone after that, even in high school.
I kinda got a that "Bitch is Crazy" tag after and have kept it!
Ally
Sent from my SM-N930V using Tapatalk
Well, some people are jerks, some people are afraid, some have other issues. Some folks have a cultural background that makes us out to be a threat to their manhood, as though we are trying to 'trick' them somehow and we need to be called out.
Life for me has gotten interesting recently. An old, long empty building on the corner has been taken over temporarily to provide daytime services for our local homeless population. They used to have a center several blocks over, but that has been closed while they construct a new center and affordable housing. The services center provides some badly needed care and support for these folks, in an area not noted for either affordability or much giving a damn about the homeless. (Most folks are one paycheck and a bit of bad luck away from homeless, although they don't seem to realize that.)
Many of the homeless people are sharp observers of others, a valuable survival trait. Many are also from subcultures prizing machismo, and viewing transgender people as somehow trying to trick them. Many also have essentially no inner censor, speaking about whatever pops into their minds.
This combination is giving me quite the gauntlet to run every time I step out of the apartment. I'm pretty much getting clocked instantly.
"Hey, dude! Hows it hanging?"
"Hey, guy, whats with the getup?"
"You a <obscenity deleted>?"
"You ain't tricking me. <Series of obscenities deleted>"
Fun times. Perhaps this is acculturated transphobia, or just that lack of an inner censor leading them to speak their minds.
It certainly confirms that I am not passing, not viewed as being a woman by others, just a dude in a dress after all this time in spite of the HRT, surgery, and comforting lies from friends. The misgendering I get from folks that know me is just their slipping and letting out what they really see.
Quote from: StacyRenee on April 23, 2018, 09:10:11 AM
Can I just make up a new word?
Mysogyny: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against women.
Mysandry: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against men.
My made up word...
Mysotransy: dislike of, contempt for, or ingrained prejudice against transgender people.
I've heard the term transmysogyny thrown around, but I'm not sure just how accurate that is etymologically. And don't ask me to pronounce my made up word either! 🤣
I shall be putting your new word out there now, so thank you! I often have the luxury of being able to explain to otherwise ignorant people just exactly what we are and are not and I'm happy to say the outcomes are overwhelmingly positive. I find that the source of most people's fear is putely based on a fear of the unknown that's been reinforced by the uninformed conclusions of other fearful and ignorant people within their peer groups, families, society, etc. Now, to know me is to love me and once people do get to know me their barriers start to crumble and they begin to feel comfortable around me and often start asking questions then. You see, I'm trans-sex. I have a very curvy physique and also have gynocomasty to boot, giving me a full B cup and all without hrt at all. I present as male or female depending upon the context. I'm careful to not come across as too much one way or the other though and my ability to read most people correctly really helps me navigate my way past their prejudices, which is the biggest hurdle. Then they become more open to dialogue.
Being a completely T powered creature, 6ft tall and built like a tank makes them think twice about physical violence too, I think. A lifetime of being picked on for having a girlish body amongst other things has given me a wellspring of finely controlled rage on tap that apparently can be sensed by most people.
I'm highly intelligent and very intense, to say the least, but i am also infinitely patient with most people, especially those I sense are genuinely trying to understand me and how it must be like to be born this way.
I grew boobs at puberty just like any other woman would and for the longest time hated my body for drawing so much negative attention to me.
Once they get their heads around that the most common comment is something like, Wow, that must have been a nightmare!
Bang!
Empathy has been achieved and from there it gets easier.
I'm also a practicing Christ follower and am well versed in the Bible, being able to quote from it here and there.
Now, when other so called Christians attack me, I first explain that I am exactly as God made me.
No hormones, no augmentations, and would they please explain to me how they could criticise God's own authentic creation and still count themselves as the Christian they profess to be.
The looks of confusion are priceless.
I fully intend to ask God about that too, when I see him next!
I can't wait for the explanation. Lol.
All that said, I will in time go onto HRT and beyond because I most definitely have a female brain - brain scans confirm it- oh and that I actually have a brain in there should there be any doubt.
I have the photos to prove it!
There are those though, who just can't or most likely, won't even try to understand my condition and remain hostile. My own brother being one and the primary source of physical and mental abuse in my life. But he hates just about everything, so I don't for one second take that onboard as having anything to do with me. I just happened to be a convenient, captive target for his hatred, and being 8 years his junior meant I had no way to defend myself from him. It made me tough and I fear no man and very little else in this world. I do fear becoming like him though and that gives me great compassion, empathy and love for people of all makes and models.
How is it fair to attack someone for something they have absolutely no say in, or control over?
It isn't. Period.
Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk