Somewhere on the TG Spectrum

[sandra]

 :)When I posted my intro, I said that on the part of the TG continuum
between a strictly defined M2F Hetero CD on the one hand, and a M2F-TS who is on hormones and has had SRS/GRS and is living full time as a
woman; I figured that I seem to be about 1/3 of the way between the
former and the latter.  In a later post I said that I might have always
been at that place and always would be, or might (if it were a scale of 1-10) some day wake up and find that if I had been a 3, I was now a 4.

Since those posts, I have come to believe rather that where I am on the continuum is where I have always been and always will be; but that any changes in how I see myself are just a matter of further growth in self-understanding.

Because I see myself as existing not at a point where a specific "label"
might be appropriate, I prefer to identify myself to others by using the
umbrella sense of the word "transgendered."  And my current self-under-
standing, like that of all of us, is unique to me.

I am curious to know whether others who find themselves somewhere
between CD and TS have developed a particular "label" for themselves,
or are content just to say, "I am transgendered."

Thanks,

Sandra 

[J.T.]

Because I see myself as existing not at a point where a specific "label"
might be appropriate, I prefer to identify myself to others by using the
umbrella sense of the word "transgendered."  And my current self-under-
standing, like that of all of us, is unique to me.

Right now I think I'm somewhere in between, but I'm very early on figuring this stuff out.  It has only been about six weeks since that light clicked on in my head.  Right now, that is how I refer to myself as well.  As I explore this more, I may change it or not.

[Shana A]

I don't identify as either male or female, but am somewhere between or neither. I often describe myself as transgendered if there's no time to explain in more detail. Since visiting this site last fall, I've been also using androgyne as a way to describe myself. Ultimately, they're all labels though, I'm simply me

zythyra

[rhondabythebay]

... I'm simply me

And IMHO, that's the way it should be.

Rhonda

[Jillieann Rose]

When I first came here November of 05 I called myself a CD but later found that I was more. I didn't just occasional feel like a women but was at lease partly women all of the time.
So I started using the label CD+.
Now I use thew label TS, a transsexual, because that is what I am. So that is my label. If I have surgery to fix my body than I will just call myself a women and use no other label.
Jillieann

[Renae.Lupini]

When I first came here November of 05 I called myself a CD but later found that I was more. I didn't just occasional feel like a women but was at lease partly women all of the time.
So I started using the label CD+.
Now I use thew label TS, a transsexual, because that is what I am. So that is my label. If I have surgery to fix my body than I will just call myself a women and use no other label.
Jillieann

So this begs the question, "Does having operations to change the outside of the body determine the woman on the inside?"

Can't we be women without having to undergo surgeries?

[Jillieann Rose]

Yes.
I am a woman but because of my body being of the male gender I'm TS.
If it wasn't I would be just a women.
Jillieann

[Renae.Lupini]

Yes.
I am a woman but because of my body being of the male gender I'm TS.
If it wasn't I would be just a women.
Jillieann

So then after someone has surgery they are no longer TS?

[TheBattler]

For myself - I just think of myself as transgender - I am in the TG Spectrum somewhere.

Alice

[Shana A]

Can't we be women without having to undergo surgeries?

I believe this to be true, but there's people here that disagree with this.

zythyra

[Mattie]

I figure I'm somewhere in this spectrum although I don't know where exactly.  In general for me anyway, its easier to keep trudging along and sticking it out as a male just because I have other matters to attend to (like college).
 
And the way I see it, and this is just for myself, I look the way I was always supposed to.  My brain is the one that got screwed over.  So as long as I can focus on college, classes and homework take my mind off of any conflict that exists within.

[Renae.Lupini]

So as long as I can focus on college, classes and homework take my mind off of any conflict that exists within.

You may be right but let me throw this out there for you. I did nine years in the Marine Corps. The most manly of manly things. Four years of which was spent in the infantry. The conflict does ever go away and let something else take over. It is a nagging distraction that is always coming and going.


Food for thought

[Seshatneferw]

Also, Mattie, 'taking your mind off any conflict' sounds like you may be trying to suppress it, and that is not likely to work as a long-term solution. Some people have been able to resolve the conflict in a way that does not require transition, but even if that is the case with you, you must first accept that there is a conflict and then think things through very thoroughly. Your choice of words sounds like it might be a difficult process. In any case, it would probably be a good idea to find a therapist who has a lot of experience in TG issues, both with cases that led to transition and with cases that did not.

  Nfr

[Laurry]

Hi Sandra!

Glad you opened this topic...it is good to remind folks that there are those of us who don't identify as male or female.

- When talking with people in general, I use the term Transgendered.  It is something they have heard of, and doesn't directly imply that I am Transsexual (which I'm not). 

- When talking with friends or someone with an open mind, I use the term Androgyne. 

- And, if discussing specifics with other Androgynes, I identify as a Fluid Intergendered Androgyne.


All uses of labels come with my standard disclaimer:  Labels are only to be used to get your mind in the ballpark.  Each of us are unique and some sterotypes of a label may apply and others may not...subject to change without notice.

So basically, I use the label that works best for my intended audience.  If you are talking to co-workers or aquaintences, the broader term seems a good place to start...I don't want to spend hours explaining and they don't want to hear my life story.  If you are talking to folks on the Androgyne board here at Susan's, (shameless plug), sometimes a little more specificity is required.

......Laurie

[Emerald]

A Crossdresser periodically crossdresses. Cisgendered, their gender identity is that of their natal sex.

A Transgenderist desires to live as a member of the opposite sex either full-time or part-time. Transgendered, their gender identity is of the opposite sex. Unlike most Transsexuals, they do not pursue SRS/GRS. Some Transgenderists may be bi-gendered and maintain a separate persona and gender identity of their natal sex. The DSM IV acknowledges Transgenderists to be affected by GID. The HBIGDA Standards of Care also addresses the need and desire of hormone replacement therapy for Transgenderists.

A Transsexual desires to live as a member of the opposite sex. Transgendered, their gender identity is opposite their birth sex. Unlike Transgenderists, Transsexuals seek sex reassignment surgery.

Until recently, Transgenderists were treated poorly by the medical industry and in the Transsexual Community because of the  misconception that Transgenderist were potential sex workers or wannabe Transsexuals.

-Emerald 

[Doc]

Can't we be women without having to undergo surgeries?

I think so. In other cultures, a male-bodied person could be fully actualized and recognized as a woman simply by dressing and behaving like one. Transwomen would be women without surgeries or hormones, because being women is what transwomen do.

In our culture, simply dressing like a woman and behaving like one doesn't usually get you recognized as a woman. It more likely gets you beat up. Our culture is stuck on the idea that womanhood is determined by the body. Members of our culture tend not to recognize a woman as a woman unless her body is a female body. As members of our culture, many transwomen cannot recognize themselves as women until their bodies fit with that rule about what womanhood is comprised of.

However, I can imagine transwomen of other cultures recognizing their male bodies as women's bodies, right down to seeing her penis as feminine, floral, and womanly. I think this is right hard for most of us, though, it's not an understanding we've been given as kids and it's an understanding most people around us will say is wrong wrong wrong.

[Renae.Lupini]

Can't we be women without having to undergo surgeries?

I think so. In other cultures, a male-bodied person could be fully actualized and recognized as a woman simply by dressing and behaving like one. Transwomen would be women without surgeries or hormones, because being women is what transwomen do.

In our culture, simply dressing like a woman and behaving like one doesn't usually get you recognized as a woman. It more likely gets you beat up. Our culture is stuck on the idea that womanhood is determined by the body. Members of our culture tend not to recognize a woman as a woman unless her body is a female body. As members of our culture, many transwomen cannot recognize themselves as women until their bodies fit with that rule about what womanhood is comprised of.

However, I can imagine transwomen of other cultures recognizing their male bodies as women's bodies, right down to seeing her penis as feminine, floral, and womanly. I think this is right hard for most of us, though, it's not an understanding we've been given as kids and it's an understanding most people around us will say is wrong wrong wrong.

then if we go against the common assumptions of society and view ourselves as female and enough of us do so then we could in fact change the position of what is acceptable and what is not? True?

[sandra]

Thanks  to all who have posted on this topic!  I find it
fascinating to read each post and to see that each of us
has their own perspective that contributes something
unique to the discussion.

It seems to me that for most of us, accepting ourselves
and being ourselves are more important than what we
call ourselves.  And if we use a "label," it's mainly for the
sake of clarification of where we are at the present time
rather than adhering to some strict definition.

Of course when it comes down to debating the finer points
of matters generally referred to as transgender, it helps to
start with agreed-upon definitions where possible.  But as
far as the question of when I should call myself this or that,
I doubt that we will ever all agree on objective standards,
but will just use terms that, for each of us, fit the way we
see ourselves.  Vive la difference!  Or as Mr. Spock
and other followers of Surak see the universe, "IDIC," or
"Infinite diversity in infinite combinations."

Thanks again,

Sandra

[Emerald]

"Infinite diversity in infinite combinations."

Oooooooo!!!  I like that!

-Emerald 

[sandra]

 Thanks, Emerald!

Sandra