Quote from: pretty on November 05, 2011, 04:12:48 AM
I agree with being able to call things what they are but using suicidal tendencies as an emotional strawman makes no sense. You are implying that for a transsexual there are only the options of achieving genital satisfaction or desiring suicide.
People can feel bad or very bad about things without commiting or wanting to commit suicide over them. You need to take a step back and realize that not everything you say is something you have in common with other transsexuals. The desires are by definition something you have in common. Your reaction to not satisfying those desires is a totally different issue that is based on your own personality. So the suicide stuff is not rigidly related and it has no place in the point you are trying to make. These are not by definition "issues of survival."
Some of what was said better fit the context of where it was originally posted than as a standalone commentary.
And I never meant to imply that every case was the same, but the vast majority of transsexuals I've talked to both online and in person went through at least one period of existential crisis like I described. An overwhelming majority, to be honest. Not saying some people never care about this matter, but my sampling of what's at least 70 to 80 surgery-tracked transsexuals reveals a significant presence of suicidality either pushing the drive to surgery or at least the need to start transition. When I bring up the suicide issue, it's very much a valid part of my argument because the transsexual position fights for things like surgical equality with insurance companies and government legislation that might facilitate such action. See, we want easy access to surgery for all who desire it, not just those who have a good enough job or some other good fortune. It's hoped that tearing down barriers to surgical access might reduce the suicide rate.
Those who aren't feeling bad to the point of suicidality? Good for them! Our fight will help them too. I was merely discussing the worst-case scenarios in my post. And for the worst-case scenarios, these are definitely issues of survival.
