Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Yesterday I saw this under "Gender" on a survey form...

• Male
• Female
• Trans
• Other

I thought it was nice they were making an effort but wondered why, if they were really aiming for inclusivity it didn't read...

• Male
• Female
• Other

-----------------

• Cis
• Trans

That is, gender you identify as, and then whether you were cis/trans.

Anyway, I ticked Female and moved on, yes I'm Trans but why would I tick that when I identify as a woman? I wondered how many people would tick only "Trans" in the original version?

I had a similar experience with a form for my therapist. It was her "Initial intake" form. Nowhere on the form did I mention gender issues, but I left the gender question without an answer. She mentioned it in a later session and said I was a clever girl."

Most people dont even know what cis means, let alone have it on a form. I would tick trans and male since I'm a transman. Problem solved

Personally, the ideal multiple choice answer would be:

___ Male

___ Female

___ It's complicated

I don't like answering that question with only two answers because I don't know whether they're asking my physical sex (a little of both. I have a prostate and breasts), my gender identity (non-binary), or my social gender (100% female).

"It's complicated" is my answer to so many questions anymore it's ridiculous.

The only time it would be appropriate to follow male/female/other with cis/trans is in a medical setting. I want my providers to know which set of bits I have, and to base my care on my actual anatomy.

Other than that, I'd find it very intrusive to be asked whether I'm cis or trans. Ain't nobody's business but my own.

I've used the "Other" option, but I would probably use "Transgender" if it were available. I don't identify as a man or a woman, so either of those is limiting for me.

Hugs, Devlyn

Even on forms that have a hundred gender options, I still just tick "female." But that's just me. I fully respect anyone who identifies anywhere or nowhere at all.

Quote from: suzifrommd on September 04, 2015, 09:28:43 AM
Personally, the ideal multiple choice answer would be:

___ Male

___ Female

___ It's complicated

Winner winner chicken dinner

Quote from: Tysilio on September 04, 2015, 09:37:08 AM
The only time it would be appropriate to follow male/female/other with cis/trans is in a medical setting. I want my providers to know which set of bits I have, and to base my care on my actual anatomy.

Other than that, I'd find it very intrusive to be asked whether I'm cis or trans. Ain't nobody's business but my own.

I agree with this. However I filled out the paperwork as female and I simply explained myself to my provider anyway who worked it all out. They consult insurance anyway.

I love the responses in this thread, but Tysilio and Grace said it best for me and that is my being trans isn't something they to know about unless it for certain medical reasons otherwise it's my business alone. I always check female because I am a woman. The only time they need to no more is in regards to certain medical treatments. Hugs
Mariah

I'm amazed that some forms ask:

Sex
_____  Female
_____  Male

I always write in "Yes."

Cindi

Ahhh... the wonderful world of boxes to compartmentalize the world. I'm an odd old bird , have always hated "check this box" be they sex race religion etc. etc. At the end of time I'm just me and were all just humans riding this big rock through space.
On a lighter note many years back when I was a disgruntled smarty-pants next to the "sex" box I penciled in "when ever the opportunity arose", the paper shuffler was not amused!

This is something I've been noticing in strange ways lately. Until last year I lived in the SF Bay area and before that Seattle, large and liberal, all forms I ever encountered were M-F and I just would check the (inappropriate) F box to not deal with it. Then last year I moved to Idaho. The first medical form I encountered here had a half page at the top first form asking about gendering and preferred pronouns, names, etc. Could have knocked me over with a feather and I filled it out correctly. This was a chain, Planned Parenthood, where I get progesterone to halt cycles. Of course I was their first apparently, and I am now their mascot I think, lol. They are over the top nice to me and it is my first positive medical experience ever. I have decided to quit using the gender box on any form without something appropriate and have had zero issue with leaving them blank except of course the rather confused look on peoples faces who call out to me in waiting rooms with my male name and hybrid appearance. *snicker*

I have found another industry, total surprise to me, that is stepping up their game, and that is finance. I am dealing with changing my portfolios and having to initiate new accounts and all the fun documentation that goes with it. My primary firm this time is Vanguard and I have noticed that on all online forms the gender field is "Male, Female, or Undisclosed" (I choose undisclosed) On the paper hard signature forms requiring medallion stamps and such, the field reads "Male, Female" but the field is clearly marked as "Optional" (I leave it blank). This is a huge relief to me as it will make official document changes much easier in the future should I decide to go that route.

When speaking to my advisor on video, I think it's obvious to him why I'm undisclosed, but when speaking to an asset transfer manager on the phone only we did a line by line breakout on one of the paper forms and he took the time to explain the gender field as a vocal confirmation that they use to confirm the identity of who they are speaking to, but it is still totally optional. I leave it blank but thought the explanation was reasonable as a security measure, I just answer an additional security question instead when I call in.

Now if we could just get the first line phone answerers to quit Sir-ing and Ma'am-ing everyone....one step at a time.

I'd choose female, given those options.