The 'in another place and time TS wouldn't alter their bodies' theory

[Nero]

You may've heard this theory (or even seen it on this board ).
That in another place and time or alternate universe where transsexuals were accepted as the target gender that they would feel no need to change their bodies.
This is not about 'gender bending or gender expression'. Transsexualism is about mind/body mismatch.
A man is not at home in a female body and a woman is not at home in a male body, period. This goes way beyond the gender constraints of our society.

Your thoughts?

[Patroklos]

Personally, I think I'd still want to do it, even if I was accepted.

[Natasha]

Personally, I think I'd still want to do it, even if I was accepted.

So would I

[Pica Pica]

with you on that...that's why I was dismissive of gender in brief social contexts, the real problem seems to be inside.

[Caroline]

Personally, I think I'd still want to do it, even if I was accepted.

Yep same here.  I spent several years being out as transgender without taking any steps to alter my body and was well accepted by my group of friends (being invited to girly nights pre-transition = win).   Eventually though I realised my dysphoria about my body wasn't going to go away, so I needed to fix that if I was ever going to be happy. 

[Wing Walker]

I would be seeking GRS anyway, Nero.  It's like what happens when the internal self becomes an irresistible force and the immovable object actually moves, after much grieving, worry, self-loathing, guilt for what you didn't do, and other wonderful things.

[NicholeW.]

I like the idea of a world where the 'target gender' is one that is totally dysphoric and requires changing the body to conform with a non-target gender!! Nice.

Except given levels of dysphoria among so many and the tribulations we all make others suffer through (MTFs anyhow) for the first year or so we're on HRT!!! Hmmm, that sounds like it could be deadly.

Hell yes, I'd still transition. *smile*

Nice thought-provoking though Fella.

[Kate]

It's a package deal for me. I need both:

1) to be female, to accept myself as a female
2) to be accepted as a female by society

The two reflect one another, and support one another. Pull one away... and it all collapses.

So yes, I'd STILL change my body even if the world was totally accepting.

~Kate~

EDIT: Or on second thought, I SHOULD just say 2) to be accepted by society for who I am

[annajasmine]

I would feel the need transition. Even thou it would make things easier being accepted as the target gender. I have to many strong emotion about my body. In this universe I might accepted as a woman in society but I think personally I would be tormented in my body and would never accept myself as woman.

Later,
Anna

[RebeccaFog]

   I'm not a TS, but I have body dysphoria.  I would have to say that life would be better, but the change is definitely a must for some people.
   I believe it can not be denied.  At least the change would be easier in such a world.

[J.T.]

I was just trying to explain this very same thing to my therapist.

----

Now what if men were supposed to have the current female body and vice versa?

I'm pretty sure my body would still feel wrong, even if my mind matched the body.  Does that make sense?  For me its not "oh, guys have that body so i need that body", it is that this body feels so wrong.

hmm   

[seldom]

This isn't societal.   I have heard people who were like this though, who said they would be comfortable with this, which makes me question if they are really transsexual.  Because central to being transsexual goes beyond just the societal dysphoria, but the physical dysphoria.   Somebody confronted me about HRT and said I did not need it.  I said it was not about my role in society or the clothing I wear, a good chunk of this is being comfortable in my own skin and the medical transition is a big part of that comfort level.  If I could live and be accepted as a woman with no physical alteration to my body...I would STILL feel wrong.  There is no escaping the physical dysphoria.

[cindybc]

Not certain what is being asked here, but If somehow GID was removed from me would I feel right about who I am and remain in the male role? But then I believe we would still have the same set of problems? I believe that the inner self or the spiritual part of me would still somehow feel to be of the feminine gender inside? What different would that make then if one had the GID syndrome removed? So one wouldn't any longer have the GID, but the spiritual part of me would still remains in the female gender, then who would be pulling whose leg? The fact is that I would still be seeking to want the outside to be congruent to what the spirit is within.

In another dimension if one has the choice and could have anything they want then I want to be the Dunes of Mars Warrior Princes aboard Starship Empathica. A seven foot tall Amazonian with her energy sword at her side. Well that beats being the hobbit I am now.



Oh well I probably flunked this course.
 

Cindy

[Seshatneferw]

This is not about 'gender bending or gender expression'. Transsexualism is about mind/body mismatch.

Right on.

(Besides, what target gender? I don't have one, all I've got is the mind/body mismatch. If anyone has a spare gender I'm willing to consider donations.)

  Nfr

[Berliegh]

Re: The 'in another place and time TS wouldn't alter their bodies' theory?

I think it's pretty hard to alter your body......a fully grown male body is hard to change no matter what you do.....I'm constantly hoping for new surgical techniques that will change the whole contour of the body. I was disappointed with the limitation of hormones but continue to be optimistic with what other proceedure's may provide in the future....