How would you describe the typical transgender personality?

[Erik Ezrin]

I think a lot of transpeople are accepting and open minded, because they know themselves what it's like to be judged. But then again, there are close minded pricks everywhere, also in the trans world. (and I see transpeople can sometimes fight pretty hard on who is 'trans enough' and who is not, yadda yadda)
It could also be because I'm open minded myself, and I automatically get attracted to likeminded people. I have been on a dreadlocks forum which had a similar 'family' feeling where everybody supported each other, same on the forum of the LARP group I'm a member of. I think it's because all three of these groups (transpeople, dreadheads, larpers) are minorities who generally experience enough hate from the OUTSIDE world already, so have to cling together like family in order to stay together and withstand all that criticism.
I have ventured through many subcultures in my life, and I generally find them to be a lot more pleasant and accepting environment than the mainstream stuff. All of my larp friends were totally okay with me being trans right away, and respectfully called me my preferred name and pronouns, like WOW! And not ONE, but ALL OF THEM! (not saying larpers can't be pricks, but the ones I had as friends sure weren't!)

But for the rest... I don't think there's really a typical 'trans personality' or whatever, though some character traits (like introversion) might be more present than in the cisgender world because of our 'common heritage' and a childhood/teenage years that often were full of angst and confusion. You learn to deal with things differently by being rejected, which I think most of us have been multiple times.

[helen2010]

I don't think that there is a typical tg personality.  Perhaps others may see us as a little more introspective or even selfish.  Some may see us as more sensitive to our presentation and the reaction of others.  However we also have our fair share of extroverts, thinkers, actors, drama queens, sycophants, bullies et al. Perhaps as a group we have the potential to better understand and value difference, nuance, spirit and individuality.
Aisla

[Missadventure]

To me this topic seems to be dancing around the idea rather that outright saying "define a stereotype of transpeople".

I mean, it's like asking for a description of the typical personality of gays, Jews, blacks, Muslims, people who own cats, people who like the Beatles, whatever...

That said, some of the things people responded with I can say describe me. And a LOT of things that don't.

But, I will give that it's an interesting topic to think about...

[Calder Smith]

I don't think there is a typical personality for the Transgender community. Everyone is different; it's like saying all white or black people act a certain way.

[FrancisAnn]

Good question I guess. I'm 95% like my mother was. She was a very nice & kind woman. So I'm the same unless I'm really forced to become mean which I greatly dislike.

[JennX]

Definitely there's much more diversity in a handful of transgender
women visually than genetic women. But personality wise there's a degree of homogeneity?

No. There isn't. We're all different and unique... just like every other human on this planet.

[Jess42]

I hear a lot of introversion, but what about introspect. To me it seems that we know ourselves a lot better inside than the rest of society. This may come out as psychological problems but I think the only reason it does is that the rest of society just doesn't have the same level of introspect. Comparing the trans community with the rest of society per capita, how many trans serial killers are there? How many trans serial rapists are there? How many trans child molesters are there? I will put money that there are almost none or way below the average of the rest of society. I would say that we actually care more than the rest of society about society because we keep hoping society changes instead of just going with the flow. Other than the average personality, I think we are just as diverse as the rest of the world.

[Missadventure]

how many trans serial killers are there?

This is a little bit of a non-sequitur... but, that question instantly made me think "It puts the lotion on it's skin or else it gets the hose again."

I will put money that there are almost none or way below the average of the rest of society.

I'm sure proportionately we run about the same percentages as the rest of society. We're just a smaller overall demographic, so there will naturally be fewer of us.

[Edge]

how many trans serial killers are there?

I don't know how many there are or many act on it, but I know of at least one with the mind set.

[Shantel]

I don't know how many there are or many act on it, but I know of at least one with the mind set.

Bet I know too! Lol

[peky]

Over the years I have found a few kindred spirit in this forum... and you know who you are Ladies...

We are alpha bitches, successful overachievers with a touch of narcissistic, self-centered, overbearing, impatient personalities...

Yet we are also protective and make up for excellent mentors, teachers, and counselors...

just sayin

[genderhell]

Would it be accurate to say that generally trans people still alive have at least above-average "grit" ? 

"Grit in psychology is a positive, non-cognitive trait based on an individual's passion for a particular long-term goal or endstate coupled with a powerful motivation to achieve their respective objective".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grit_(personality_trait)

Note: from the link .. "The United States military believes that this and similar constructs may assist in explaining why some soldiers are better equipped to handle the psychological trauma of combat". Thus, trans people are tested by the "psychological trauma" of their condition, analogously, like participants in the SAWs movies are tested for "the will to live". 

Perhaps, we can say the "winners" have at least above-average grit. 

[Jess42]

This is a little bit of a non-sequitur... but, that question instantly made me think "It puts the lotion on it's skin or else it gets the hose again."

I'm sure proportionately we run about the same percentages as the rest of society. We're just a smaller overall demographic, so there will naturally be fewer of us.

Oh yeah, I knew someone was gonna think of Buffalo Bill. But it was Buffalo Bill, Not Buffalo Willamena or Wallowing Willamena. Great, I'm about to go to bed and can't get the sound of that voice out of my head. I guess I'll have nightmares. Seriously though that one sentence with that actor's voice was the scariest part of that movie that freaked me out. Everytime I watch a Monk rerun it that same actor's voice sends chills down my spine.

As for per capita proportions, with the bathroom debate being what it is, if there was a trans child molester caught, certain religious and or other groups would run with that one. As for serial killers, I know that trans isn't one of the markers of the general profile. Neither is being female or African American but there were and probably still are female serial killers and the Baton Rouge serial killer was black. But again with the bathroom debate, I believe that if certain groups could tie a transperson to a serial killing, they would run with that to keep us from using our preferred restroom.

I don't know how many there are or many act on it, but I know of at least one with the mind set.

I think everyone has a certain mindset. I kill people mentally in my mind on a daily basis when they cut me off in traffic or put me at risk for an accident. No really though I couldn't even kill someone mentally so I just mentally beat them with a baseball bat. Thinking about it and acting on it are completely different. But who knows? I may turn on the news in the morning and be totally wrong. But one thing about it, if it ever happens we will definitely hear about it. Way too many people will jump on their high horses and say, "See, these are the same people that want( fill in the blanks)."

I'm not saying that we all are angels, I know I'm not. I know drug use and or alcohol makes the pain go away for a little while and we all gotta' eat so we do what we do to survive, from shoplifting to turning tricks to whatever else. That is more self destructive in nature though than hurting another human being though. Like I said, I could be wrong.