I have a lot of reasons for referring to myself as a "girl". I play competitive pool, and most of the people I spend time with in the pool halls are tough-as-nails men. I've noticed that the female pool players who take offense to being called girls tend to be looked upon as hard-asses. (Point of fact, a lot of them are hard-asses.) The men became much more playful, friendly and generally helpful with me once it was established that I actually like being called a girl, and that I'm not easily offended. I guess it's sort of a social perception thing, at least in the circles that I circulate in.
The other thing for me is that I missed out on a lot of the fun, challenge and self discovery aspects of young girlhood as I grappled with gender dysphoria in my teens and 20's. As far as I'm concerned, I'm in my second childhood. By my calculation, I transitioned 14 years ago, which means that right about now I'm in my second adolescence... and I guess I sort of act appropriately... hence the pink and blue hair, body piercings, tattoos, high heels, dramatic makeup, etc. My partner has the patience of a saint as she puts up with my adolescent behavior at times. (She's 11 years older than me.) My boss should be so patient... still, that's what I get for working for the Catholic Church.
Dudette! I'm always going to be a girl.
