can I say: I LOVE THIS FORUM!

[lilacwoman]

Since getting online back in 2001 - I'm a late Internetter as well as a late transitioner - I have looked into dozens of forums and been booed and booted out and banned for querying some of the rubbish stuff I've read but this Susan's MtF Forum is one that is populated with people I really feel an affinity with. 
You've all had practically the same life and experiences as me it's uncanny.
If only we could get the shrinks cobbling together the next DSM to spend a couple of days looking at all the back MtF posts until they realise that MtFs follow the same path through life they'd compile a DSM that would be a help and not a death sentence.

[qRachelp]

Since getting online back in 2001 - I'm a late Internetter as well as a late transitioner - I have looked into dozens of forums and been booed and booted out and banned for querying some of the rubbish stuff I've read but this Susan's MtF Forum is one that is populated with people I really feel an affinity with. 
You've all had practically the same life and experiences as me it's uncanny.
If only we could get the shrinks cobbling together the next DSM to spend a couple of days looking at all the back MtF posts until they realise that MtFs follow the same path through life they'd compile a DSM that would be a help and not a death sentence.

It IS a good place, lilacwoman.  Though, just like everywhere else in this failing world, it gets unfair at times, too.

Rachel

[jesse]

i love this forum as well
jessica

[rejennyrated]

Count me in on that. This is a wonderful place full of fascinating people. 

I spent years living in deep stealth, before realising that I was being selfish and not supporting the community.

Since then I've lurked in a number of places, but, as someone who is naturally inclusive, and has a foot in both the Intersex and Trans camps, I found most of them rather too divisive and I've never felt able to enter the discussions.

The nice thing here is that we all seem to be able to rub along together. Which is as it should be.

Personally I want to see GID taken out of the DSM altogether. For me it's a state of being, albeit one which sometimes requires surgical help to resolve, and NOT a mental health issue.

So I don't personally think that psychiatrists should have involvement beyond making sure that the patient isn't suffering from some other mental health issue (There are some things like schizophrenia which can occassionally manifest as a false trans identification, and obviously they need to be identified.) But I know of very few genuine Transpeople who have been helped by the gender psychaitrist and, over the nearly thirty years that I have been transitioned, I've met literally hundreds who would tell you that the shrinks were a pain in the arse and part of the problem rather than the solution.

[tekla]

Personally I want to see GID taken out of the DSM altogether. For me it's a state of being, albeit one which sometimes requires surgical help to resolve, and NOT a mental health issue.

Me too, if only because it assumes that all GID is equal, and that there is only one real cure.  But the analogy I use is that there are all sorts of cancers.  Some only require a little out-patient care, some which require major surgery and chemical treatments, and some where it like 'get your affairs in order and pick out a gravestone.'

The movement to do this is gaining some support.  I got 57K hits on a GIS for "gid out of dsm" and I'm sure if I did a more refined search I could find a lot more.

You know if you can sell out Madison Square Gardens, or the O2 Arena, you're in the big time, and if your in the DSM, you are - by definition - mentally ill.

[Lachlann]

Personally I want to see GID taken out of the DSM altogether. For me it's a state of being, albeit one which sometimes requires surgical help to resolve, and NOT a mental health issue.

Me too, if only because it assumes that all GID is equal, and that there is only one real cure.  But the analogy I use is that there are all sorts of cancers.  Some only require a little out-patient care, some which require major surgery and chemical treatments, and some where it like 'get your affairs in order and pick out a gravestone.'

The movement to do this is gaining some support.  I got 57K hits on a GIS for "gid out of dsm" and I'm sure if I did a more refined search I could find a lot more.

You know if you can sell out Madison Square Gardens, or the O2 Arena, you're in the big time, and if your in the DSM, you are - by definition - mentally ill.

I couldn't agree more with this post.

[sarahF]

This is the first forum I've been on. I don't think I'll be looking for another.  I do agree it's the best
Sarah

[Janet_Girl]

This forum has become my family and second home.


Blessed Be
Janet

[K8]

I agree.  I don't know any TGs personally here in town.  This forum has saved me more than once.  I really appreciate the help and support I've gotten here.  I also like the fun and teasing.

Thank you all.

- Kate

[Nero]

Personally I want to see GID taken out of the DSM altogether. For me it's a state of being, albeit one which sometimes requires surgical help to resolve, and NOT a mental health issue.

Me too, if only because it assumes that all GID is equal, and that there is only one real cure.  But the analogy I use is that there are all sorts of cancers.  Some only require a little out-patient care, some which require major surgery and chemical treatments, and some where it like 'get your affairs in order and pick out a gravestone.'

The movement to do this is gaining some support.  I got 57K hits on a GIS for "gid out of dsm" and I'm sure if I did a more refined search I could find a lot more.

You know if you can sell out Madison Square Gardens, or the O2 Arena, you're in the big time, and if your in the DSM, you are - by definition - mentally ill.

I couldn't agree more with this post.

seconded.