Restroom discussion

[Hypatia]

I know the feeling, Tink. I certainly don't want to identify as "trans," meaning to hold it up as a banner or as the definition of who I am in this world, who I can be. I identify as just a woman. I also acknowledge the fact that trans is how I got here, and nothing will ever change that. But I do want so much to put it behind me and move on. Like the scars I've gotten from various injuries or surgeries over the years. Those scars remain in my flesh, but I've stopped feeling the pain-- and of course I do not "identify" as a scarred woman. The scars do not define who I can be, they're as incidental to who I am as my eye color. I don't "identify" as a brown-eyed girl, regardless of how much I like the song by Van Morrison. I'm just a girl. I don't see any point in taking such incidental features as my identity. They're not the core of who I am. Same goes for trans.

[Natasha]

i agree with tink & hypatia.  i'm not trans-anything either.  you must be wondering why the transsexual label is inflammatory, yes?

because....

In any case, transsexualism is a badly defined term. To use transsexual as a noun is dehumanising, leaches people with with this syndrome of their personality, and makes it easy for the bigoted to think of them as being "other", "weird", and "perverted". People with this syndrome have a particular medical condition, it is not the basis and ground of their identity, and we should not see them as "laboratory specimens" or "circus freaks".


The adjectival use is hardly better. People all too easily construe "transsexual man" or "transsexual woman" as "false man" or "impostor woman". Many are confused because of this term as to the proper term to call a person with this condition. They wonder whether they should address them as "man" or "woman". This is the source of such vile constructions as "she-male and "he-she".

After a childhood spent in the wrong social gender, and being in much confusion consequently, a person with this condition is most in need of consonance in their psychophysical identity. The driving need in one's life becomes the achievement of congruence between neurological gender and anatomical reality. At the same time, there is a desire to leave all sexual ambiguities behind, to have wholeness in the gestalt of body, soul, and mind.


It is diabolically cruel to affix the label of "transsexual" onto a person for the rest of their life. They do not engage themselves in a life-long journey between the sexes; it is only a temporary stage on the way to total personal congruency. This usage of transsexual clearly suggests and implies that the person involved is never a true man or woman, but rather a pariah and on a perpetual pilgrimage between the sexes.


Whenever the term "transsexual man" or "transsexual woman" is used, the strong implication is that they are not truly men or women. It matters not if the person involved is at peace because they have finally reached congruence or if their personal appearance is well within the bounds of their sex.


This term robs the person with this syndrome of full completion, it steals the peace of congruence, and it smirkily informs one that no matter how much one tries, you shall never be allowed to end the perpetual wandering of transsexuality. The continual accusations never give you rest, and you shall never be finally safe at home, in concord and harmony.


This is ironic, because we live in an age where we can correct the physical anomalies completely. This is cruel because the time of transition is only a year or two at most, but as long as one is a "transsexual", many shall never allow you to reach the far shore.


You must stay anchored out in the harbour, and only hear the laughter and joy of others ashore in the city. You must wear a placard about your neck proclaiming your status, ring a bell loudly, and shout, "Leper, Leper! Unclean, unclean"! as you make your way amongst the crowd.


The term transsexual comes from two Latin roots. "Trans" is a prefix that means through, across, beyond, or to change. "Sexual" is a verb that comes from the Latin sexualis, which means anything associated with sex or the sexes. We can see where the original derivation of the word came from. It referred to someone who was in the process of moving between the two sexes.


It is unfair to burden people permanently with labels that are no longer appropriate or applicable once changes are made, obstacles are overcome, surgery is finished, and they have taken their place in society in their proper gender. If you must give a classification, let me suggest two: "man" and "woman". Full stop.

[NicholeW.]

As far as TS is concerned I concur with the past three posters. As far as toilets are concerned if someone wishes to be licensed to use the loo ... well, I'd suggest checking with the local constabulary and seeing if they will give you a 'bathroom pass.'

I also find that I am terribly tired of this thread in general and since I am the 'originator' I have decided to be the 'terminator' as well.

Good night, girls.