I want to send a personal message to the FTM community on this board.
I remember when the FTM community on this board was very small. There were probably only 5 of us that were really active, but it was probably one of the only forums that was active enough. I remember being significantly outnumbered by MTFs but the ladies were all (and still are) very helpful and supportive for us. I may not have been around this forum since the beginning but I have been posting for 2 years and in this last year I have seen so many FTMs come here for support and it makes me happy. Quite a few years ago in my position I never had this kind of support, and I'm glad that some of you younger guys(not that I'm old) have some place to go. It makes quite a bit of difference, doesn't it?
I think what I like about this forum is as it grows with more FTMs we get to see all sorts of different opinions, even if those opinions frustrate us or deviate from the usual stance. I, for one, appreciate them so long as the person is respectful and even then I can see the beauty in knowing that we are not all cookie cutter. I appreciate all of what you have to say, even if you feel like no one does. I appreciate
you as a human being and as a fellow FTM no matter what path you choose to go down.
There are a lot of bigots who want to tear us down, skewer our words and are very selective in the information they accept and spout out. These people are afraid of us and project more about themselves than they do about us.
QuoteSee, I've had a lot of people talking at me in the last few days. Everyone just lining up to tell me how unimportant I am. And I've finally figured out why. Power. I have it. They don't. This bothers them.
And that's what it is. Maybe it's your parents, your friends, some random idiot on the Internet, you might know someone who has tried to tear you down like that just because they're afraid of the power you have over yourself. The power you have over your own body. Not all of you want to physically transition, but you still hold power over who you are as a person and your freedom to express that. These people haven't walked in our shoes, maybe some of them don't understand what it's like for some of us to be dangling by a thread because we've exhausted all our options and death didn't seem like the best choice. Maybe some of you don't want to ever know what it's like to feel that way, to be pushed that far, and you shouldn't have to feel tortured.
Unless these people are taking away your rights, it doesn't matter. Be the best damn example you can be and prove them wrong. It's hard keeping a positive attitude in our positions but positivity is the greatest weapon you could ever wield. You decide for
yourself what is best for you and be educated and empowered by that choice. Don't let your choices be a weakness, use them as a strength.
Thank you for being
you.
