The phrase "A woman trapped in a man's body"

[Hypatia]

I frequently hear complaints from transsexuals about the familiar phrase "a woman trapped in a man's body" (or vice versa for FTM). Many transsexuals reject having this phrase applied to them and resent it being used. I'd be interested in hearing transsexual people's reasons for objecting to it.

[Kate]

I frequently hear complaints from transsexuals about the familiar phrase "a woman trapped in a man's body" (or vice versa for FTM). Many transsexuals reject having this phrase applied to them and resent it being used. I'd be interested in hearing transsexual people's reasons for objecting to it.

It's a cute metaphor, but I never use it with people. Too cliche, too presumptious and apologetic for me, like saying "it's OK I transitioned because I'm really literally a woman inside!" I try to steer clear of the whole "I was always a woman!" rationalization thing.

Forty-three years of pondering it all, and I STILL can't explain GID. So I'd rather just tell 'em what I DID ("Hey, I'm Kate now!"), and not what I supposedly AM ("I'm a transsexual with GID, and a woman inside, and...").

~Kate~

[LostInTime]

I do not use it but do not really resent it. I have heard the phrase used most often on talk shows and that may be the source of my aversion.

[SarahFaceDoom]

I think it conjures up a weird image.

[ErickaM]

I spent over 40 years of trying to hide, avoid, or simply just trying to convince myself that my GID was just a figment of my imagination.  I have never felt like I was a woman trapped in a man's body I am simply me; born with the spirit of a woman and a major birth defect (a man's body). 

[tinkerbell]

Yes, it is a trite phrase but a very good one indeed!  unless you kitty cats want to start using the "Benjamin's Syndrome" term.  "I have Benjamin's syndrome, meaning that I have an intersex condition.  My brain is female and my body is male"  Well, it sounds the same to me but whatever...

tink

[Rachael]

its fairly good for explaining to newbies... with some explanation around it... but then, i never liked saying it was a male body... birth defect is my fave explanation...raised wrong? yep... it doesnt work much now, as i have a female body
R

[Shana A]

I never liked the phrase, sounds kind of like a cliche, also seems to be what the old school gatekeepers wanted to hear, otherwise you weren't really ts...

y2g

[Rachael]

by oldschool, you mean current british gatekeepers?
R

[Shana A]

by oldschool, you mean current british gatekeepers?
R

LOL (well, not really laughing, but you know what I mean), We have our share of them in USA too 

y2g

[katia]

it's a valid phrase.

http://www.world-science.net/exclusives/050511_transfrm.htm

[Rachael]

phrase is valid, steriotypes not
R

[katia]

i thought we were talking about 'the phrase' not stereotypes.  terrific thread nero.  hopefully ppl will not twist it all around  

[Rachael]

its a thread on susans... when HASNT something been horribly twisted offtopic?
R

[Terra]

I frequently hear complaints from transsexuals about the familiar phrase "a woman trapped in a man's body" (or vice versa for FTM). Many transsexuals reject having this phrase applied to them and resent it being used. I'd be interested in hearing transsexual people's reasons for objecting to it.

It just feels to cliche. It also makes one sound like they hated their body in my opinion. I never hated my body, but it never felt right. I don't think of myself a woman trapped as a man, but as someone who is simply bringing out their hidden self.

Eh...I guess I feel more like i'm removing a mask more then being hidden inside a wrapper.

[Rachael]

i really did hate it... it was the wrong body... i never felt comfortable as male. and even now, infact since most of me is so female now. seeing my crotch can cause me to break down and cry... which is patiularly unhelpful in the shower... i feel like such a freak and a weirdo
R

[Christo]

I like the phrase a woman or a man in the "wrong" body.  it sounds better

[melissa90299]

It is like an Archie Bunker saying "Some of my best friends are black." Or they used to compliment black people by saying he or she is a "credit to their race." It shows an incredible lack of understanding about what the transsexual experience is all about and trivializes it. 

[gothique11]

I'm a cat stuck in a human body -- get me out!! Mewwww! The exits are to small to get out, but I figured out how to work the arm pulleys so I can type a save me message! Mewwwww Meow!

[seldom]

by oldschool, you mean current british gatekeepers?
R

LOL (well, not really laughing, but you know what I mean), We have our share of them in USA too 

y2g

They are exceptionally rare in the US as supposed to very common in the UK.  The Clarke Clinic in Toronto is really bad as well.  Not sure which is worse that place or Charing Cross.

Back on topic, I never really liked the phrase because it over simplified an incredibly complex human condition.