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The "big question"

Started by Apples Mk.II, October 23, 2013, 06:04:23 AM

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Apples Mk.II

One that I've been tired of hearing: Are you going to get surgery down there?"


It's always the same one, sooner or latter when you reveal to somebody or they know you already, it's always that one. And I'm getting tired. It's never an easy question, and despite my decision already being made, I don't think any other person needs to know my status down there, and if I am "cutting it" unless there is going to be sex or a relationship. Feels as if you tell them "no", they will think you still want to fudge girls. When I started coming out, and somebody was going to "can I ask you something", I used to say "Sure, while it is not related to my gender orientation of surgery". I feel that now that I went full time (despite still being not really passable), that questions is not what you would ask a lady. I don't go asking people if they are gay or whatever...

Your reaction to this same situation?
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suzifrommd

As you may know, I'm a teacher by trade. I also think that if people are going to learn about transgender, it will be us that teaches them.

I see comments like that as an opportunity to educate people.

The media is so fascinated with SRS that most people equate it with transition. Transition = SRS.

I'm the first and only person a lot of those people will ever meet who can explain the truth to them.

I usually open their eyes to some facts:
* Most trans women I know personally did not have surgery. It is not an integral part of transition. For some people it is something that goes along with it.
* It's something transwomen usually don't talk about amongst themselves. Because so many of us don't have the money or have health issues that prevent surgery, it's thought of as an intrusive topic.
* Many of us don't need it. The image of the transgender woman painted by the media who is disgusted by her private parts is by no means universal. Many of us don't mind what we were born with, or not enough to slice them up.

I like to give people the benefit of the doubt, and assume that they're not trying to make us uncomfortable, just that they haven't thought it through.
Have you read my short story The Eve of Triumph?
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Ms Grace

It is kind of weird in that it's probably the only time people feel they have the right to ask you a direct question about your genitals... doesn't happen in most conversations, polite or otherwise.

I got asked it last time and no doubt will again, can't remember how I responded then I think this time my answer will be along the lines of "does it matter? I'm still transgendered regardless." (Or perhaps, "why? Are you offering to help pay for it?" That should shut them up!)
Grace
----------------------------------------------
Transition 1.0 (Julie): HRT 1989-91
Self-denial: 1991-2013
Transition 2.0 (Grace): HRT June 24 2013
Full-time: March 24, 2014 :D
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Apples Mk.II

The question bothers me at that many levels. In "normal" persons, talking about genitals is never a polite topic, and only acceptable if you have absurd levels of confidences. As a man, have you ever asked somebody (in normal conversation) how her pussy looks like? Sure, between men they seem to carry a placard saying "ask me about my dick", but to me... Having a dick stills makes you a man and you don't mind talking about it? Since you are not a true woman you don't need to show absolute politeness?

For me unless there is an heightened level of trust and confidence, I don't  think there is any politeness in straight asking me what am I going to di with it. Sure is, fascinating, but... Not polite.


On my answers, sometimes I offer myself to describe them all the process. That surely make them regret asking that, and some look down to themselves with fear. With women, I've never been asked about it unless it was a really close friend. With men... All the time.

And despite what I thought in the first denial stages, I'm the kind of woman that wants the full package. Most of the time I can blur it from my sight, but I never spend too much time in front of a full sized mirror or in the bathroom without a towel. Over time, it's become something I deem important in my life. Maybe that is why I get so pissed off... Who knows...
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sazzy

For me it depends who is asking. If it's a total stranger I won't like it and will probably meet it with "No but I have been looking into the type of vagina I might want, tell me, do you have hanging down labia or small ones, how many fingers can you get in there? How often do you get thrush? So, can I see it? Oh I'm sorry, was I too direct, I had assumed since you asked about my genitals that it was open day on such intrusive questions.." Then wink and walk away lol


Most of that was tongue in cheek but I haven't ruled it out, just in case ;)
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Eva Marie

Just respond with "Why do you want to know?"  >:-)
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Jenna Marie

I was SO braced for this question... and never got it! Weirdest darned thing.

(Well, unless we count my therapist, who *did* ask what kind of labia I wanted, and I kind of couldn't decide if that was reasonable from her or not. :) )
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Claire (formerly Magdalena)

My completely unprofessional opinion is that some men are so mentally/emotionally centered around their own genitals that the idea of someone not wanting theirs is as bizarre as say seeing a purple dinosaur riding a tricycle while eating and ice-cream cone (get that image out of your head for the rest of the day, I dare you). I think they have problems wrapping their minds around it. It has to do with their own insecurities and nothing to do with you.

Maybe you could explain that it's rude to ask, maybe ask them if a stranger walked up and asked their sister (or daughter) to describe their genitals in detail how they might feel?

Also bear in mind that the interwebs are not the only place trolls are found. Maybe some ask because they think upsetting other human beings is funny. (I completely don't understand that mindset, but I know they're out there.)

Anyway, the point is YOU are a normal person, they are the ones that are not. Seems like you know that already, I hope you never lose sight of it.  :)

-maggie

I'd rather see the world from another angle
We are everyday angels
Be careful with me 'cause I'd like to stay that way



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Beth Andrea

I get asked often...most of the time I'll answer, but if I get a vibe that they don't care for people like us, I do say, "That's not appropriate to ask."

Of course, if they next ask "...cut it off?" (Only guys use that phrase) I use that as a springboard to a brief and detailed description of the process... >:-)
...I think for most of us it is a futile effort to try and put this genie back in the bottle once she has tasted freedom...

--read in a Tessa James post 1/16/2017
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suzifrommd

Quote from: Jenna Marie on October 23, 2013, 12:45:18 PM
I was SO braced for this question... and never got it! Weirdest darned thing.

More than half the people I discuss my transition with, ask some form of this question.

I know it's intrusive, but please hear me out.

I tend to be socially clueless. I'm frequently saying something that sounds innocent to me just to make conversation, and realize later it was taken by the other person in a negative way. I don't ever mean them any harm or discomfort, but my social IQ is really low when applied to figuring out how what I'm about to say will impact someone.

So I have a lot of sympathy for people who think transition=SRS and who ask us about our surgery. Maybe I'm too much of a softie, but I can easily envision myself saying that sort of thing, and would want the other person to understand I mean no disrespect.
Have you read my short story The Eve of Triumph?
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Jenna Marie

Suzi : I think you make a good point, actually. Which doesn't mean it's not possible to politely tell someone that's not a good question to ask, but the staggering rudeness almost certainly isn't *always* intended.

(I should have added that I don't doubt at all that other people run into this a lot. I think it's that I'm in a very reserved part of New England; people won't necessarily bring it up if someone's hair is on fire!)
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Chaos

Quote from: Jenna Marie on October 23, 2013, 01:23:25 PM
(people won't necessarily bring it up if someone's hair is on fire!)

Some might even be silently chanting *burn baby burn!* lol
All Thing's Come With A Price...
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anjaq

I got this asked only very rarely and only by people who knew me rather well by that, mostly transpeople. I had no issue responding with a simple "yes, most likely" to it. That period in my life was less than 2 years anyways, afterwards interestingly no one ever asked again. Either they knew I had it done already or they just assumed I did. Occassionally I did get a "did you have ...", to which I started to react with funny replies. First time in years someone asked me that was here in the chat though LOL - i probably have been asked more often if I am post op or not in the chat here than in all my years in real life ;) - but thats ok for me. I have no trouble talking about that. But then, I also go into saunas and no-bathsuit swimming areas, so I dont really mind people talking or looking at genitals in a nonsexual way.

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MaryXYX

My friends know I'm making visits to the hospital and that I'm hoping to get onto the waiting list to talk to the surgeon who puts me on the waiting list ...  That more or less answers the question they haven't asked.

I haven't been asked yet - perhaps people are more polite around here?  The answer I favour is "You'll find out when you get me in bed" - pause - "That's not going to happen".
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Nicolette

I only ever got asked this question by ts acquaintances. "I can't believe you haven't had it done yet. Why not? Do you intend to have it?" It was one of the reasons I decided to completely isolate myself from the tg 'community' from 2000.
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FTMDiaries

Quote from: MaryXYX on October 25, 2013, 08:02:37 AM
I haven't been asked yet - perhaps people are more polite around here?  The answer I favour is "You'll find out when you get me in bed" - pause - "That's not going to happen".

That's very similar to what I say: "If you want the answer to that question, you need to be very cute and you need to at least buy me a drink first. And I'm sorry, but you're just not that cute!"  ;D





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Ms. OBrien CVT

I just say "noneya".  HUH?  None ya damn business.

  
It does not take courage or bravery to change your gender.  It takes fear of living one more day in the wrong one.~me
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jamielikesyou

One similar question I bet never gets asked from you gals that I was asked by a workmate  (she was super cute and super shy when asking it,)- "Are you going to have a period?"

Still makes me chuckle. I couldn't take any 'down there' questions seriously after that.
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MaryXYX

Quote from: FTMDiaries on October 25, 2013, 08:26:23 AM
That's very similar to what I say: "If you want the answer to that question, you need to be very cute and you need to at least buy me a drink first. And I'm sorry, but you're just not that cute!"  ;D

I like that version!  Possibly better than my original.
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Incarlina

When I came out on facebook, in my post I added something like "No jokes, funny observations, threats or uncomfortably personal questions,  please."
That might have made people too afraid to ask any questions, because sometimes I wish people would ask me how it's going. I do allow physical questions from some people though. My ex girlfriend gets to ask absolutely anything. We spent most of the time discussing genitalia when we were together (long distance relationship), so nothing's really changed. She's mostly interested in how it works now and how it will work in the future. In exchange for learning about my physical stuff, she's teaching me about how the lesbian scene works.
And since I'm studying to become a nurse, I let class mates and teachers ask most things. I feel somewhat confident that I can safely share things with colleagues. So far no one's been sensationalist about it, if that's the right word. A friend in school is having a boob job, so her first thought when I came out seemed to be "Yes! Someone who will understand me!". And I guess I felt the same when she wanted to discuss surgery :)
Diagnosis [X] Hormones [X] Voice therapy [X] Electrolysis [/] FT [X] GRS [ ]
Warning: Any metaphors in the above post may be severely broken.
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