But What Harm is There in a Transgender Umbrella?

[Natasha]

But What Harm is There in a Transgender Umbrella?

http://ts-si.org/guest-columns/30891-but-what-harm-is-there-in-a-transgender-umbrella
8/19/11
By Rev. Cathryn Platine   

As a number of women of transsexed history have emerged from the shadows to speak out about the trans-jacking of the lives and histories and very core of their lives, the opposition has stepped up its refrain about how what we feel does not matter.

Leaving aside the entitlement mentality and the out and out sexism evident in this, let's take a look at the basic assumptions behind "transgender as umbrella" concept.


Transgender Assumptions

First, and most basic, is an underlining assumption that one can not actually "change their sex", that you remain forever the sex you were assigned at birth regardless of whatever somatic corrections you make. I know, I know, this is not what they say, well sometimes the transgenders actually do come right out and say it, but it is the inescapable essence of their position.

[cynthialee]

Sure why not...
lets beat this dead horse some more, I think I see a few parts that havent been completely beaten into a bloody pulp yet.

[Arch]

People born transsexed HAVE to eventually correct their bodies to the maximum possible and have always fully identified as the sex their brains are hardwired neurologically.

Wow, really?

[Alexmakenoise]

WTF is with the mushrooms? 

[Lisbeth]

Transgender Assumptions

First, and most basic, is an underlining assumption that one can not actually "change their sex", that you remain forever the sex you were assigned at birth regardless of whatever somatic corrections you make. I know, I know, this is not what they say, well sometimes the transgenders actually do come right out and say it, but it is the inescapable essence of their position.

That's bull->-bleeped-<-. I don't know anyone who identifies as TG that would agree with that.

[Lily]

I'm just a woman, and that is all. If I am a trans woman, then I am one in the same way someone is a black woman, or a gay woman. It is part of my history, and it does not make me less a woman than anyone else.

I'm partially sympathetic to the article, because I don't like being lumped in with male-identified crossdressers and I don't like being confused for one, but all this language drama has to stop and it's coming from both sides. Do we really need a plethora of made up words to define ourselves?

[VeryGnawty]

lets beat this dead horse some more, I think I see a few parts that havent been completely beaten into a bloody pulp yet.

I got tired of hitting it.  I think the dead horse has more stamina than I do.