How Do You Feel About Being a Unicorn?

[Ashey]

Or whichever mythical creature you feel applies. Because sometimes I feel like that's how people see us. I suppose this applies more to those who aren't stealth, but how do you feel about being 'exotic' or a curiosity to people? And how do you cope with people that develop a strong fascination with you because you're trans*?

I'm personally a bit conflicted. I think if someone is interested in the trans* community, then it's a good opportunity to educate. But aside from that, I'm torn between feeling singled out and feeling 'special'.

[Mogu]

Depends on my mood, mostly. Sometimes it's nice to be special, other times I just want to be left alone.

Also, I'm an alicorn.

[Robin Mack]

I've always felt "special" (read: outcast, alone, monstrous).  Before I felt like I was performing my brains out trying to be "normal" and failing miserably. 

It turns out my audience wasn't nearly as critical as I feared they were.  When I came out as trans, nearly everyone who knew me was surprised.  So... out of the imaginary spotlight and onto the microscope slide, I guess.

I have a lot of supportive people in my life.  I am blessed.  Every time I have reached out in hope and trust I have found my trust was well placed.  At the same time, I feel a huge pressure to stay upbeat, to approach every challenge with bravery and pull myself out of inevitable slumps.  Unfortunately I'm not Super Girl.

On one hand, being fairly visible in my community, I feel like I can do a lot of good... on the other hand I feel like any mistakes I make along the way will be discouraging to someone who may be looking to me for an example.

I'm not going to file my horn off and try to pass, at least not yet.  The world needs people to challenge their ideas of what is safe and "normal" in the universe; society needs to be shaken up a bit to keep it from stagnating.  Alas, it doesn't mean I enjoy the process.

*hug*

[Lo]

Looking like a tomboy has the benefit of being... a relatively normal thing for cis girls to do.

So I'm not really treated as weird and special in the gender department until I tell someone or unless I'm being unintentionally singled-out. Given that I'm not out yet in any official capacity (I have no problem telling friends one-on-one if its relevant), I get treated like a bizarre specimen for just being an artist more than anything. It seems like personal passion is such a rarity these days that "working" in one's spare time merits being looked at like a weirdo.

I'm just trying to finish a damn book, people. Leave me alone!

[suzifrommd]

I've always felt different, strange, unlike other people and never new why. It frustrated me that no one else could tell I was different.

Now every knows and I feel like I'm no longer keeping a strange secret.

I've always felt like a unicorn. Now I can show everyone else my unicorniness.

[Sophia Hawke]

I dont want to be a unicorn.  I want to be the girl next door, as far as other people are concerned.   People with that unicorn thing for us, the way they treat me is irritating, and makes me feel not femme at all.

[Devlyn]

I'm a card-carrying Unicorn.   

Hugs, Devlyn

[Natalia]

I am still passing as a male, but I think I am attracting some weird looks sometimes...not a kind and nice look, more like "wtf is wrong with this guy?"

My hair is almost at my neck and people stare at me with weird looks. Men reacts worse and they aren't very polite with me...I say thank you and such and sometimes I don't get back not even a word.

I am also adopting the female way of sitting and some mannerisms...they're coming very naturally and sometimes I realize I was unaware of being in a female pose...and this brings some weird looks too. Not the kind ones as well.

I don't know if people see us as unicorns. Unicorns are amazing and extraordinary beings living on the imaginary, side by side with magic creatures and things that makes us enchanted and fascinated.

We are not. I think we are seem as freaks...at least until now this is the kind of look that I see and this is the kind of reaction I see from cis people.

But you know what? I don't care! I am proud of not being one more on a crowd of robots without personality and brains! I am proud of being who I am and of finaly being able to show this to myself and to the world.

[Ashey]

We are not. I think we are seem as freaks

Well horses would probably see unicorns the same way. xD

[Brooke777]

I am a soccer mom to the other moms at my son's school.

I am the "girl next door" to the others in my life.

I am a unicorn at the Lifestyle club I go to, where I am the first and only pre-op who has been allowed to join the club. I have no issues being a unicorn, and quite enjoy the attention at times. Plus, I tend to have some rather exciting adventures.

[Ltl89]

Well, trans or not, we are all special and unique.  There is only one "you" and that is something to cherish.  So, everyone is a unicorn in my eyes, lol. 

At the end of the day, I'd like to blend in and not be the center of attention.  I guess it depends on why people are focusing on me.  If it is because of my gender identity or a perceived eccentricity,  then no, I'm usually not comfortable with that.

[Brooke777]

Hm...maybe the community I am in has a different definition of the word unicorn. For us, a unicorn is a single bisexual female. I just happen to be a different type of female.

[Ashey]

Hm...maybe the community I am in has a different definition of the word unicorn. For us, a unicorn is a single bisexual female. I just happen to be a different type of female.

I'ma double-unicorn!

I think maybe I'm okay with being a (mythical) unicorn, and wouldn't mind being watched/studied, pet, or ridden by certain people, just as long as I'm not being poached for my horn!

[Devlyn]

Disclaimer: I'm not a historian!

I've learned from my time on these forums that societies for millennia have recognized transgender people as special and possessing gifts. Hugs, Devlyn

[Brooke777]

Disclaimer: I'm not a historian!

I've learned from my time on these forums that societies for millennia have recognized transgender people as special and possessing gifts. Hugs, Devlyn

For once Devlyn is right. The "seers", or other people with mystical powers, and high intelligence were actually transgender people.

[Adam (birkin)]

Or whichever mythical creature you feel applies. Because sometimes I feel like that's how people see us. I suppose this applies more to those who aren't stealth, but how do you feel about being 'exotic' or a curiosity to people? And how do you cope with people that develop a strong fascination with you because you're trans*?

I hate it! I was actually talking to someone (who knows about me), telling him that this is the main reason I am working at being as stealth as possible. Because everyone thinks it's just all I am. They think I have some magical knowledge into "both worlds" of male and female, or that I'm some third gender or some weird stuff. They kind of forget I am an actual person with many interests, and reduce me to someone they can talk to about women's issues or men's issues or whatever.

I've referred to it as an intellectual/academic fetish lol. I am not "fascinating" or "exotic." I sit in my room in my underwear watching too much American Dad, playing too many video games, eating chips off my chest. I'm just a guy trying to get on with my life, not some gender detective.

[Mogu]

They kind of forget I am an actual person with many interests, and reduce me to someone they can talk to about women's issues or men's issues or whatever.

Reminds me of my sister, who is a minister. Whenever she tells people she is a minister, a large portion of people will share all their problems and issues. Or tell her how much her church sucks.

When I tell people I study philosophy, they ask me what the meaning of life is...

[Lo]

Reminds me of my sister, who is a minister. Whenever she tells people she is a minister, a large portion of people will share all their problems and issues. Or tell her how much her church sucks.

When I tell people I study philosophy, they ask me what the meaning of life is...

"Can you draw a picture of me/my dog/my product idea?"

"Can you storyboard my animation for free? It'll be great exposure."

Snap judgments and stereotyping happen for everything. My only wish is that I could mix things up every once in a while. Being seen as a gender unicorn would be a welcome respite :S

[Aina]

I think a better metaphor is people see us at Ugly Ducklings, but over time most will soon see beautiful swans!

At least that is how I see it. It is just sad that we humans take a very very very very very long time to learn.

[Miss_Bungle1991]

I think we are seen as freaks.

I'm not a freak

*turns to Portia*

Isn't that right, babe?