Asserting Manhood: Overcompensation?

[Mister]

Here's what it comes down to, Elwood..

I knew by age four, at the latest, that something wasn't right.  I didn't have language to describe it, but I knew my body was wrong.  The expression of this disparity that I gave the example of has been confirmed by my mother.  For me, this is my truth.  If you do not believe me, I will gladly give you her phone number and you can ask for yourself.

Some people know from an early age, some people do not.

[Sephirah]

This is the way I see it:

You're trans or you aren't.

It's not very hard to be trans. You don't have to go out of your way to prove it by saying "I KNEW IT ALL ALONG ME FIRST ME FIRST." Honestly, that proves nothing. It's much more useful to be truthful, because every last piece of honest-to-God information a person has about themselves can help them discover their true selves and maintain stability through transition. If we lie to ourselves, we are relying on a fantasy to build our identity, and all that can create is a walking, talking caricature of what someone thinks a transsexual is supposed to act like.

I completely agree 100%. What that truthfulness is, is for each individual to say. If they know they are being truthful, honest with themselves, it's irrelevent whether anyone else believes them or not. It changes nothing.

[Elwood]

Here's what it comes down to, Elwood..

I knew by age four, at the latest, that something wasn't right.  I didn't have language to describe it, but I knew my body was wrong.  The expression of this disparity that I gave the example of has been confirmed by my mother.  For me, this is my truth.  If you do not believe me, I will gladly give you her phone number and you can ask for yourself.

Some people know from an early age, some people do not.

I do believe you, because 4 is a reasonable age to have awareness of one's sexuality. It's people who say they knew it from age 1-2 that lack credibility in my eyes.

The other point is that your mother recalls it, not you. When the transgendered individual themselves claims to remember it, I don't find that claim very credible. Unless they were 3 or 4, which is an age people do remember things.

Posted on: September 20, 2008, 11:23:18 AM

This is the way I see it:

You're trans or you aren't.

It's not very hard to be trans. You don't have to go out of your way to prove it by saying "I KNEW IT ALL ALONG ME FIRST ME FIRST." Honestly, that proves nothing. It's much more useful to be truthful, because every last piece of honest-to-God information a person has about themselves can help them discover their true selves and maintain stability through transition. If we lie to ourselves, we are relying on a fantasy to build our identity, and all that can create is a walking, talking caricature of what someone thinks a transsexual is supposed to act like.

I completely agree 100%. What that truthfulness is, is for each individual to say. If they know they are being truthful, honest with themselves, it's irrelevent whether anyone else believes them or not. It changes nothing.

I agree. So really, if someone thinks my opinion affects them, then they're wrong. If they are certain it's the truth, what I say shouldn't make them feel attacked. Those who feel attacked have doubt.

[tekla]

If they are certain it's the truth

Umm, I kinda shy away from people who think they have some sort of certain truth.  If you've made that critical error in thinking and perception, you've no doubt made others also.

truth, well Truth with a Capitol "T" the Greek idea of Veritas, is pretty much a relative deal, outside of simple statements like "Its raining now" that are easy to check out and prove.

[Mister]

I do remember it.  If you recall my OP on the subject, I told that story for years and just recently it was confirmed by my mother. 

I'm willing to bet that people with male siblings realize the difference between boys and girls much, much sooner than those who are only children or have only female siblings (as is my case.)