“Ma’am” and “Sir” in a Transgender World: Part One

[Natasha]

"Ma'am" and "Sir" in a Transgender World: Part One

http://conversations-with-a-gender-therapist.com/maam-and-sir-in-a-transgender-world-part-one/
6/7/13
Dara Hoffman-Fox

"I went to the dry cleaners the other day to pick up my wife's fancy outfits that she has to wear to dog shows. On my drive there I reflected on how this errand had a "husband-ly" feel to it. The dry cleaners is not someplace I personally feel the need to frequent. But the part of me that really enjoys feeling like the hero was excited to fulfill this task for my fair lady, and with a ridiculous amount of pride and honor.

So I enter the dry cleaners, wait my turn in line, pay the clerk, at which point she says, "Thank you, ma'am, have a nice day." I could tell I felt...disappointed.

Now, it's normal for me to feel a pang of annoyance whenever a stranger calls me "ma'am," thanks to how conscious I am of how the incorrect use of "ma'am" or "sir" can affect my transgender clients. But disappointed? That was a new one for me."


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Read Part Two here:  https://www.susans.org/forums/index.php/topic,143099.msg1165288.html#msg1165288