Most Important Issues

[Paulina]

I am considering writing a lengthy essay for my AP English class final assignment project which is due the same day as exam day next week.  It's basically something you feel strongly about.

What is in your opinion the most important topics for MTF transsexuals?

[PinkSunshine]

Well, Paulina, I think it's a great thing that you are writing about such an important topic! *big hug* Not that I am an all-inclusive expert on the matter (by far), but I would at least start simple. I.E. describing exactly what a MTF transsexual is. After all, any point you have about the topic won't do you much good if the teacher doesn't have any background knowledge!

[Michelle.]

Acceptance, passing, blending.

Or decison to go stealth or live openly after transition is complete.

[Janet_Girl]

Equal rights, complete protection under federal law, freedom from discrimination by the health care providers.

Janet

[Tammy Hope]

It sort of depends on whether you mean "what's the most important thing for a M2F TS in their own personal transition?" or do you mean what's the most important thing in the broad question of the relationship between a M2F and the society around them?

I like Janet's answer, but another possibility might be the common misconception that gender identity and sexual orientation are the same thing.

[FairyGirl]

One big issue that we seem to have is that many people are under the false impression that this is somehow a lifestyle "choice". Those same people often think that sexual orientation is also a "choice" that we have some kind of magical control over. Educating the public as to the nature of what it means to be transsexual and combatting the massive amount of ignorance surrounding who we are might go a long way towards adressing these other issues that have been mentioned.

[Renate]

Self acceptance and self confidence.

[Paulina]

Thanks everyone for the answers!

[Nikki]

Self acceptance and self confidence.

Spot on.

[tekla]

Interesting to see two different reads on the word "issues" one being political/social, the other interpersonal. 

I would assume that for an advanced placement English class they are looking for 'issues' classically defined, so for TG persons that would (or could) be things like:
- Access to Health Care
- Discrimination in hiring and on the job
- How trans parents are treated in a divorce court and/or a custody hearing.

Rather than things like self acceptance and confidence which tend to a new more slang use of the word issues, i.e: "I have issues with that."

[tgirljuliewilson]

passing.

without it, one is just an XY individual in a dress.

if only the rest of the planet could accept me for who and what I am!!

just my 2 cents...

[Kimberly]

What is in your opinion the most important topics for MTF transsexuals?

Not gett'en dead for being different.
Or said with a touch more eloquence, not fearing for my safety just because I do not match their "norm".

[K8]

I'll go with Renate and Kimberly.

Before I could begin to even tell my friends, I had to accept myself and the possibility that I would meet violence.  Once I accepted those, things moved right along and I've not lookied back.

- Kate

[lauren3332]

I would say that one of the biggest issues is that there is no one definition or symtom like there are for ordinary medical things like coughing or a headache or whatever.  There needs to be a stronger focus on those that come out later in life.  I thought I was a fraud for the longest time because my story didn't match the typical "I knew when I was 3" kind of thing.  Not that there is anything wrong with that, but everytime some kind of actual story comes out about a transsexual is has that same premise.  I was doubting things I didn't even need to based around the fact I couldn't find anything close to what I was.  I felt completely weird.  The human rights and safety thing isn't a bad start either. 

[Coatl]

hey hey paulina, mised yall hehe

Ide have to concur with some of the already stated topic of Rights and how we are treated. I know alot of good people who just because they decided to become the gender they know they are the world treats them horribly. It is something others need to learn about, we dont want anything more than to be treated as the who we are, for the mtfs treat as the girls we are, and ftm the men they are, hopefully society will one day learn, instead of attacking the innocents living their lives make life hell for the ones who deserve it lol