How do you see yourself as a transgender

[stephaniec]

Given the spectrum of acknowledgement of your self as transgender , how would you rate yourself on your role in the community.(disclaimer: not to be taken in any way other then a statistical question about our community).

[Devlyn]

I voted moderate activist. And I am not transgerder! 

Hugs, Devlyn

[Lady Smith]

I voted avoidance but acknowledgement, but that could very well change.

[LordKAT]

I would need to pick 2, don't tell don't ask and moderate activist. It is possible to be steath and activist for that matter.

[enigmaticrorschach]

dont ask don tell for me. i know i'm just myself, however if no one brings it up, i wont say anything

[Laura_Squirrel]

If someone found out about it by accident...big deal. If I had to tell a doctor about it...fine. You do what needs to be done. Other than that? It's nobody's friggin' business. It's not like I blab to people about my other medical issues. So, why should this be any different?

[Mariah]

I'm willing to admit to it, but I generally don't go out of my way too unless I have good reason to do so.
Mariah

[LeaP]

I don't describe myself as "transgender"!   Other than that, I'd say I'm a moderate activist.  My primary interest is transsexual rights - more accurately, undifferentiated legal treatment of transsexuals in their target gender as cissexuals.  I would like to see more acceptance of gender variant people, but don't necessarily see the same rights arguments, depending on the issue.

[Zoetrope]

willingly admitting to - and a force to be reckoned with! :~D

[rachel89]

I'm not close to passable yet, so I have no choice in the matter unless I go out in "man drag" (not fun). When I am more passable, I want to engage in activism, but I have no desire to announce to every stranger all the time either. For me, the decision to disclose trans status would depend on how relevant it would be to whatever I was engaged in. freinds and romantic partners, yes. The pride parade yes. Sticking up for another person being mistreated yes.
the grocery store  buying hummus and pita, no, unless there is a good reason. I think for me, I want to look passable, so I can feel right when I look in the mirror and hear myself talk, but would be fine with being seen with poorly passing trans-women. I don't mind the trans label, for me, it reflects that I had a different set of life experiences than most cis-females  and a radically different emotional/mental life than cis-males have ever had.

[Evelyn K]

I subscribe to the Don't Ask Don't Tell mindset.


Moderators note: Edited due to uncalled for remarks.

[Ms Grace]

I think I'm in the process of going from admitting to, to becoming an advocate. My experience with advocacy versus activism is that the former ultimately convinces the people who need to make the changes that not are the changes necessary but they'll then do the work needed to get it over the line.

[Samantha_Marie]

I'm definitely in the don't ask don't tell category. Those who know either found out from someone else or knew me prior. Otherwise all new people don't know and don't need to know

[Rina]

I find myself increasingly often commenting on trans-relating politics on Facebook (on my own wall, not publicly), and I am much more willing to sign petitions and so on than I used to be. I think I'm somewhere between willingly admitting to and moderate activist, but since I see myself moving more towards (small-scale) activism, I chose moderate activist.

[Ever]

Yeah, this is a difficult decision for me.  I don't see myself as "trans" but simply as a girl.  However, I do want to be accessible to others that might be considering or undergoing transitioning and also help give representation to trans people in my field. 

In the end, I think I'll have to accept the "trans" label, as it will be a means to help provide acceptance and encouragement for others.

[Wild Flower]

I accept that I am. I dont tell others.... live as a straight guy in the closet really.

I honestly think I come across a bit James Dean/River Phoenix.... like hes straight.... but is he gay/bi? More River.... touch of Marilyn, happy face sad eyes.

[KaylaMadison]

willingly admitting to it. If it comes up im not going to lie as im not ashamed of who I am.

[emyrinth]

Willingly admit to.

[Squircle]

If I need to tell someone I will. Generally if I become good friends with someone I'll tell them; I'm right in the middle of transition at the moment and I don't need the added pressure of wondering if certain people know or not. With people I meet through work, unless I'm going to be working alongside them day by day I don't talk about it.

Regarding advocacy, I have done a couple of things here or there but I prefer the 'education' approach to the more aggressive tactics some people employ. That doesn't mean I don't see the need for it sometimes, I just think that when people go straight to anger it causes battle lines to be drawn.

[Kellam]

Definite willingly admitting here and I see myself being on the road to some form of activism. I accepted being trans, not being female. I always knew I was female it was the trans part that was a painful strugle. I want future transfolk to be able to side step some of that hurt. So that means more trans people everywhere. I do want to be recognized by the day to day world as a woman, but a transwoman too. My life experience is unique from the majority of the world's and I don't want to loose that and I would love to cellebrate it. These early stages of transition, all happening in full time mode, have taught me how to love myself and who I am. So why should I not flaunt it?