I also sense what the writer has presented. It is not very difficult to see or witness this both online and offline. In my opinion it boils down to basically what you have stated Nicky, our self-acceptance. If we accept who we are, nothing more, nothing less, we may find that we no longer out of necessity need a label nor do we need approval from peers, medical doctors, or pathologizing psychologists. We become free to associate with whatever we feel comfortable with, knowing we will never fit completely into any profile. It is only when we desperately seek acceptance outside ourselves that we try to fit neatly into a label at whatever cost. When we find we do not fit neatly, which IMO is bound to occur at some point or another, it creates stress, self-hatred, denial, etc. These feelings are then often projected onto others instead of dealth with from within.
It is rare that a single individual fits neatly into a created profile or classification. Only the most general of labels will match to many individuals at once. I had hoped that the term transgender might be one of these general labels. I still use the term but more and more it is leaving a bitter taste in my mouth. It seems to be moving from a unifying term to being even more divisive than the terms it was supposed to replace or 'umbrella'.
I think many of the issues raised here were created and are still being exacerbated by medical doctors and psychs who really have no idea what they are talking about. Many of us want to look to professionals for answers. Unfortunately, many psychologists, psychiatrists, and others that hold these titles are grossly biased and simply full of themselves. In the worst cases, nothing more than blundering idiots allowed to prance around as if they are authorities on subjects that they have little to no definite experience with.
IMO we must unify somehow and I don't really care what terms are used or not used at this point. Let's pick one and run with it. It is counter-productive for us to sit around and argue with one another about this or that or who is more or less trans, who is more or less woman, or who is more or less man. We are all human beings and like it or not there are other human beings which would wish the whole lot of us dead, locked up, beaten, marginalized, institutionalized, pathlogized, stripped of rights, the list goes on. We cannot fight this with any real determination if we are separated.
Peace, Love, and Hugs
