Community Conversation => Transsexual talk => Male to female transsexual talk (MTF) => Topic started by: Kathleenmarie on November 28, 2015, 10:05:14 PM Return to Full Version
Title: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 28, 2015, 10:05:14 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 28, 2015, 10:05:14 PM
So I'm new at this particular site, though I have been on several others in the past and have left for various reasons. I'll go ahead and mention that this is a long post. I know that many in our community put alot of emphasis on pc, and to some extent for good reason. I understand the hurt that can come from.intentionally insensitive words/actions. Let me also preface thatyou opinions are shipped by my own experiences, andyou experience has been 95% positive.
I want to say that it doesn't offend me when someone asks about my genitals, I actually use this as a great starting point for trans education which most cis people lack. It doesn't offend me when people who know me, and know I'm trans, refer to me as man/he/him. I just really don't care, I know who I am, if it ever does irritate me, I simply say hey. If it looks like a duck...(I have not been misgendered by someone I don't know in over a year)
When I'm in casual conversation with friends, I refer to myself as a ->-bleeped-<- on a regular basis, and I don't think there is anything wrong with this, I have only had a few people call me a ->-bleeped-<- to my face, and they were family and being rude, and I told them so. However I didn't have a meltdown.
I think I'm truly fed up with the pc police in liberal news, and inside our own community, there is a limit to what is sane and rational. Everyone as a right to have their gender affirmed, everyone does not have the right to walk into the girls loo the day they come out. I'm sorry but if you say your a girl, and are still wearing an Abe Lincoln beard, you do not belong in the lady's room.
If someone is being rude or being a bully, don't put your head down and trot away (run fast if it's night, your alone, etc) lift your head up, loom them dead in the eye, tell um to ->-bleeped-<- off, don't be pc and ask them nicely to treat you x way, we have to own ourselves.
Now having said that, I am a privileged, white, attractive woman with money, education, and live in a fairly safe suburban area with a fairly liberal minded people, so I understand that my experience is not the norm, I wasn't kicked out of my house, my family loves me just the same, I've never been homeless and destitute. Please don't take my rant as anything other then a rant.
I want to say that it doesn't offend me when someone asks about my genitals, I actually use this as a great starting point for trans education which most cis people lack. It doesn't offend me when people who know me, and know I'm trans, refer to me as man/he/him. I just really don't care, I know who I am, if it ever does irritate me, I simply say hey. If it looks like a duck...(I have not been misgendered by someone I don't know in over a year)
When I'm in casual conversation with friends, I refer to myself as a ->-bleeped-<- on a regular basis, and I don't think there is anything wrong with this, I have only had a few people call me a ->-bleeped-<- to my face, and they were family and being rude, and I told them so. However I didn't have a meltdown.
I think I'm truly fed up with the pc police in liberal news, and inside our own community, there is a limit to what is sane and rational. Everyone as a right to have their gender affirmed, everyone does not have the right to walk into the girls loo the day they come out. I'm sorry but if you say your a girl, and are still wearing an Abe Lincoln beard, you do not belong in the lady's room.
If someone is being rude or being a bully, don't put your head down and trot away (run fast if it's night, your alone, etc) lift your head up, loom them dead in the eye, tell um to ->-bleeped-<- off, don't be pc and ask them nicely to treat you x way, we have to own ourselves.
Now having said that, I am a privileged, white, attractive woman with money, education, and live in a fairly safe suburban area with a fairly liberal minded people, so I understand that my experience is not the norm, I wasn't kicked out of my house, my family loves me just the same, I've never been homeless and destitute. Please don't take my rant as anything other then a rant.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kellam on November 28, 2015, 10:54:40 PM
Post by: Kellam on November 28, 2015, 10:54:40 PM
I do understand why folks need this to be a safe space. Also the more plain and non threatening the language the less argument is likely to disrupt things.
But I totally get you on your experience with folks in the real world. I know myself so well and when friends/family and acquaintances do it by mistake, well okay. I get it. Also, I keep delaying my name change. I wanted to do it desperately at first but the more I passed the more I missed being a question. Now the only time I get misgendered by strangers is when they have access to my whole name. Then the fun starts. I get to know who is cool as they will shorten my birth name to the more andro version without asking. Or I get a si....r? Which makes me laugh. And bigots just show their true colors. It gives me power. Also, during this past year I found I quite like the non-binary space. Hrt has kinda stolen that from me so my name gives me more of what I want. I am less binary. Female but kinda not, kinda butch infact. I might keep my gender marker too. The first time I was refered to in print (in a paper and staples magazine decades ago) the person said she/he? And I liked that. I still do. So long as the she comes first. I get mistaken for an early transition ftm a lot.
In my day to day I can be quite foul mouthed. My father, who is very respectful and supportive let a ->-bleeped-<- slip the other day. It fit because of the dynamic of our relationship. But around some folks I just won't use it because I know how it makes them feel. I can't use the word guys for mixed gender groups around my Mom because she hates the male universal. I have a poc friend who tries to make me use racial epithets I have many others who don't think anyone should, ever. So I try to taylor my language for situations.
It is like my using they/them/theirs as my fallback pronouns for other folks until they specify. I also come from a suburban liberal background and try to check my privilege. It isn't "pc" it is basic respect. The bawdy among us must respect the more sensitive (I can be super sensitive about some things too) or less jokey if we want them to respect our sometimes foul and casual ways.
But I totally get you on your experience with folks in the real world. I know myself so well and when friends/family and acquaintances do it by mistake, well okay. I get it. Also, I keep delaying my name change. I wanted to do it desperately at first but the more I passed the more I missed being a question. Now the only time I get misgendered by strangers is when they have access to my whole name. Then the fun starts. I get to know who is cool as they will shorten my birth name to the more andro version without asking. Or I get a si....r? Which makes me laugh. And bigots just show their true colors. It gives me power. Also, during this past year I found I quite like the non-binary space. Hrt has kinda stolen that from me so my name gives me more of what I want. I am less binary. Female but kinda not, kinda butch infact. I might keep my gender marker too. The first time I was refered to in print (in a paper and staples magazine decades ago) the person said she/he? And I liked that. I still do. So long as the she comes first. I get mistaken for an early transition ftm a lot.
In my day to day I can be quite foul mouthed. My father, who is very respectful and supportive let a ->-bleeped-<- slip the other day. It fit because of the dynamic of our relationship. But around some folks I just won't use it because I know how it makes them feel. I can't use the word guys for mixed gender groups around my Mom because she hates the male universal. I have a poc friend who tries to make me use racial epithets I have many others who don't think anyone should, ever. So I try to taylor my language for situations.
It is like my using they/them/theirs as my fallback pronouns for other folks until they specify. I also come from a suburban liberal background and try to check my privilege. It isn't "pc" it is basic respect. The bawdy among us must respect the more sensitive (I can be super sensitive about some things too) or less jokey if we want them to respect our sometimes foul and casual ways.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kellam on November 28, 2015, 11:00:09 PM
Post by: Kellam on November 28, 2015, 11:00:09 PM
Oh and I actually have to restrain myself from sharing too much info. I love seeimg cis guys cringe when I talk about srs. Who's tough now! Ha! But yeah, I will answer any questions people have. I love teaching moments.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Anna33 on November 29, 2015, 05:56:58 AM
Post by: Anna33 on November 29, 2015, 05:56:58 AM
I know what you mean, and in this part of the world is pretty much the same. I have never been misgendered and I don't think that someone ever even stared at me.
I'm not picky at all with pronouns or names. But the T word... ugh, If a trans girl friend of mine called me a ->-bleeped-<- in a friendly manner during girltalk, i'd probably laugh along, but I think that I would be offended if a non-trans called me a ->-bleeped-<-.
Probably because of the negative connotation that the word has and because I consider myself a decent woman. It's probably one of my biggest fears since I began transitioning. I don't want to be confused for a prostitute.
I understand that people need time to adjust and when family and friends accidentally call me by my old name i don't make a scene. Except for some random confusion sometimes as regards pronouns, every single person that i came out to has been extremely supporting and kind. I can't complain.
I'm not picky at all with pronouns or names. But the T word... ugh, If a trans girl friend of mine called me a ->-bleeped-<- in a friendly manner during girltalk, i'd probably laugh along, but I think that I would be offended if a non-trans called me a ->-bleeped-<-.
Probably because of the negative connotation that the word has and because I consider myself a decent woman. It's probably one of my biggest fears since I began transitioning. I don't want to be confused for a prostitute.
I understand that people need time to adjust and when family and friends accidentally call me by my old name i don't make a scene. Except for some random confusion sometimes as regards pronouns, every single person that i came out to has been extremely supporting and kind. I can't complain.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: allisonsteph on November 29, 2015, 07:33:22 AM
Post by: allisonsteph on November 29, 2015, 07:33:22 AM
I kind of feel the same way. I like to think that I am able to read intent behind inappropriate questions when they do come up. Many people want to be supportive or at the very least respectful, but they don't know how. 90% of the time I am perfectly happy taking on the role of educator, helping people understand something that they have never encountered before. If a coworker asked about surgery I would politely remind them that this is not an appropriate topic of conversation in the workplace. If a friend asks I would like to think that the question comes form a place of concern for my overall wellbeing, rather than an inquiry about the state of my genitals. After all, GCS is major surgery and all surgeries carry an inherent risk.
That being said, I suppose that I am fortunate in the respect that it has been over 18 months since the last time anyone said something intentionally derogatory to my face. If I had to endure some or the horrific treatment that people on this website have described, my attitude would likely be completely different. But the way things stand right now, I don't mind taking some of the heat for some of my brothers and sisters that can't.
That being said, I suppose that I am fortunate in the respect that it has been over 18 months since the last time anyone said something intentionally derogatory to my face. If I had to endure some or the horrific treatment that people on this website have described, my attitude would likely be completely different. But the way things stand right now, I don't mind taking some of the heat for some of my brothers and sisters that can't.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 08:22:47 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 08:22:47 AM
I think there is a bigger issue though, when pc is pushed to far, when we ask not for equality, but special treatment, whe we tell people above the age of 50 that they have to change simply because we said so, we not only cause harm to ourselves and progress, we lose would be allies who would usually support us. When we go to far overboard, people check out. Is gender binary? No, is the binary state the norm? Yes. We are animals that can talk, we have evolutionary triggers that can not be altered. When someone sees something out of the ordinary, they react, alot of times in a negative way, not because they are evil or hateful, but because their brain is saying DANGER! I think alittle chill would go along way.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kellam on November 29, 2015, 08:41:05 AM
Post by: Kellam on November 29, 2015, 08:41:05 AM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 08:22:47 AM
I think there is a bigger issue though, when pc is pushed to far, when we ask not for equality, but special treatment, whe we tell people above the age of 50 that they have to change simply because we said so, we not only cause harm to ourselves and progress, we lose would be allies who would usually support us. When we go to far overboard, people check out. Is gender binary? No, is the binary state the norm? Yes. We are animals that can talk, we have evolutionary triggers that can not be altered. When someone sees something out of the ordinary, they react, alot of times in a negative way, not because they are evil or hateful, but because their brain is saying DANGER! I think alittle chill would go along way.
True, but the folks over 60 at this point, if they weren't hippies themselves they are of that generation. The generation of demanding change for the sake of the youth. "The times they are a changing" and "reap what ye have sewn". They are the folks who invented political correctness from what they had seen in the beginning of the racial civil rights era. Being cool about the natural human tendency to be shocked, and to react to change, understanding where a cis person who has never even known about trans folk is coming from, that is a comcern. But not to the detriment of those of us who require change. Yes grandma is going to say some words no one wants to hear but does it do her any good to patronize her? Just because someone is 90 years old does not mean they don't want to grow and understand the world. A music nerd friend recently shared a quote from a famous cellist called Pablo Casals. When asked why he still practiced at the age of 90 something he said "Of course, I continue to play and to practice. I think I would do so if I lived for another hundred years" and "I am perhaps the oldest musician in the world. I am an old man but in many senses a very young man. And this is what I want you to be, young, young all your life, and to say things to the world that are true."
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 09:16:29 AM
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 09:16:29 AM
People over 50 and don't get some unique privilege to act offensively. If they can't find it within themselves to treat other people with respect then they deserve the same derision as anyone else.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:21:19 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:21:19 AM
It's not about respect, I get more respect from older people who disagree with my life then I do from younger people who don't care. It's about instant gratification and the idea that just because we say so, it must be. Speaking truth to power is one thing, asking g for it to happen over night, and getting mad when it doesnt, is what children do, it's not what adults are supposed to do. And I don't think they deserve derision, they grew up in a different time, with different moral standards.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kellam on November 29, 2015, 09:24:44 AM
Post by: Kellam on November 29, 2015, 09:24:44 AM
Quote from: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 09:16:29 AM
People over 50 and don't get some unique privilege to act offensively. If they can't find it within themselves to treat other people with respect then they deserve the same derision as anyone else.
Exactly. And to further the point, there are plenty of trans folk at every age. From 5 to 90+ and they all deserve respect.
"pc" is just the counter to willful ignorance.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 09:29:27 AM
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 09:29:27 AM
Then again "political correctness gone mad" is just a politically correct way to say "I'm too lazy to reassess my worldviews and/ or slightly modify my speech unless it directly benefits me"...
I don't see how a movement against cis-hetero-normativity can be bad for anyone other than the very few people relying on the binary system to prop them up. We can't pick and choose to what level we are accepted or we become part of the problem. For just one example, if we're saying only passable girls can use the ladies room, we're drawing another privilege line - one that excludes a certain percentage of cis women too!
I don't see how a movement against cis-hetero-normativity can be bad for anyone other than the very few people relying on the binary system to prop them up. We can't pick and choose to what level we are accepted or we become part of the problem. For just one example, if we're saying only passable girls can use the ladies room, we're drawing another privilege line - one that excludes a certain percentage of cis women too!
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:34:11 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:34:11 AM
I'm not saying only passable people can use the bathroom they want to, I'm saying it's a bit much to expect people to be comfortable taking a crap next to someone who just came out yesterday, compromise must happen, and logical thought must happen, just saying I'm allowed is not enough when you want to change stuff, and you have to allow for those opposing you to have a say, for that say to be respected, thought about objectively, and discussed rationally.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:35:44 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:35:44 AM
There is a quote from the American president that I absolutely love.
America isn't easy. America, is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center-stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest." Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free.
And that I think sums up what I feel, I love my brothers and sisters in this community, and I will fight for everyone of them, but I won't call them names, insult them, or not take into consideration their concerns, no matter how much I disagree with them.
America isn't easy. America, is advanced citizenship. You've gotta want it bad, 'cause it's gonna put up a fight. It's gonna say, "You want free speech? Let's see you acknowledge a man whose words make your blood boil, who's standing center-stage and advocating at the top of his lungs that which you would spend a lifetime opposing at the top of yours. You want to claim this land as the land of the free? Then the symbol of your country cannot just be a flag. The symbol also has to be one of its citizens exercising his right to burn that flag in protest." Now show me that, defend that, celebrate that in your classrooms. Then you can stand up and sing about the land of the free.
And that I think sums up what I feel, I love my brothers and sisters in this community, and I will fight for everyone of them, but I won't call them names, insult them, or not take into consideration their concerns, no matter how much I disagree with them.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 09:42:23 AM
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 09:42:23 AM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:21:19 AMI'm over 50 and I know what time they grew up in. If their families raised them to be idiots they should be put in their place. I was raised by Republican father who grew up in the south in the 1930s and 1940s and I was raised to treat people with kindness and respect regardless of social status, race, sexual orientation, religion or any other thing that was different. There was nothing unique about the 1970s and before that makes people offensive idiots. That is their own choice and they can live with the consequences, old or not.
And I don't think they deserve derision, they grew up in a different time, with different moral standards.
Here is a story about those times. My cousins actually were pretty racist. I was overseas and got married to a person of another race (Asian). I was concerned about their reaction when I came back and was prepared to disown the whole lot. But there was only kindness and total acceptance. Even back then people knew better and could choose to be decent human beings.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:47:07 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:47:07 AM
And that's what I'm talking about, calling people idiots because they disagree with you.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:48:26 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:48:26 AM
Btw, am thoroughly enjoying this conversation
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deinewelt on November 29, 2015, 09:48:49 AM
Post by: Deinewelt on November 29, 2015, 09:48:49 AM
I don't completely disagree, and while I think you have the right to conduct yourself as you see fit, I completely understand the backlash against certain levels of political correctness, but I think that is because the definition of being PC is about not offending or putting a minority group at a disadvantage with your speech. A lot of times it goes too far and is no longer about what it is supposed to be about.
The problem is when people want to intentionally use language that would offend or even put a group at a disadvantage. For society's culture to say it is perfectly okay to target an individual or group with offensive speech or disadvantage is what PC is all about, and I do not think it is wrong to fight for it.
I don't think many of the things are horrible as far as mis-gendering if they are just done on accident. If you correct somebody but don't make a big deal about it, they usually get better at gendering correctly over time. If somebody does it out of malice, then it is best to consider it politically incorrect and ask them not to do so. I think the transgender community would not wish for it to be socially acceptable by society to purposefully misgender us out of mal-intent. I myself would never give concession to those with extreme opposing viewpoints who also wish to completely dismantle our movement.
The problem is when people want to intentionally use language that would offend or even put a group at a disadvantage. For society's culture to say it is perfectly okay to target an individual or group with offensive speech or disadvantage is what PC is all about, and I do not think it is wrong to fight for it.
I don't think many of the things are horrible as far as mis-gendering if they are just done on accident. If you correct somebody but don't make a big deal about it, they usually get better at gendering correctly over time. If somebody does it out of malice, then it is best to consider it politically incorrect and ask them not to do so. I think the transgender community would not wish for it to be socially acceptable by society to purposefully misgender us out of mal-intent. I myself would never give concession to those with extreme opposing viewpoints who also wish to completely dismantle our movement.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:00:41 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:00:41 AM
Quote from: Deinewelt on November 29, 2015, 09:48:49 AM
The problem is when people want to intentionally use language that would offend or even put a group at a disadvantage. For society's culture to say it is perfectly okay to target an individual or group with offensive speech or disadvantage is what PC is all about, and I do not think it is wrong to fight for it.
I.like this, this is perhaps a better state nt of my views, when rush Limbaugh, (whom I happen to enjoy listening to, I know I know ) calls us ->-bleeped-<-s, I take a huge offense. I take offense every time my mother in law tells the waiter I'm a he, not a her, but when my wife jokingly says hey you it, I don't take offense, because I know that she is just joking with me
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 10:14:49 AM
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 10:14:49 AM
Quote from: Deinewelt on November 29, 2015, 09:48:49 AM
I don't completely disagree, and while I think you have the right to conduct yourself as you see fit, I completely understand the backlash against certain levels of political correctness, but I think that is because the definition of being PC is about not offending or putting a minority group at a disadvantage with your speech. A lot of times it goes too far and is no longer about what it is supposed to be about.
The problem is when people want to intentionally use language that would offend or even put a group at a disadvantage. For society's culture to say it is perfectly okay to target an individual or group with offensive speech or disadvantage is what PC is all about, and I do not think it is wrong to fight for it.
I don't think many of the things are horrible as far as mis-gendering if they are just done on accident. If you correct somebody but don't make a big deal about it, they usually get better at gendering correctly over time. If somebody does it out of malice, then it is best to consider it politically incorrect and ask them not to do so. I think the transgender community would not wish for it to be socially acceptable by society to purposefully misgender us out of mal-intent. I myself would never give concession to those with extreme opposing viewpoints who also wish to completely dismantle our movement.
This ^^^ Politically correct speech is at the head of a chain that leads to things like lowering levels of violence - from careless speech, to verbal abuse, to physical abuse. It also indicates to society at large that the issues are real and serious and that the shift has gone from supporters of minorities being themselves a minority, to being a majority. Dismantling PC speech dismantles the idea that the minorities are at a disadvantage at all, which at the moment we clearly are, although things are changing - because of people challenging exclusive and bigoted views and not being willing to be silenced under the guise of 'respect for freedom of speech'.
If we allow opinions to be expressed in hateful ways the feeling is that these opinions and the violence and intolerance that are an extension of these are acceptable. Even in grayer situations like Germaine Greer's 'opinion not prohibition' situation, I don't necessarily agree with no-platforming, but leaving that kind of personal view publicly unchallenged is dangerous because although she means no physical harm to trans women, her views will be used to justify more extreme views by others. She already said that women have approached her thanking her for saying things they were 'too afraid' to say about trans women. And so the ball keeps rolling.
That's not to say that flinging insults back is productive, but real political correctness isn't tit-for-tat insults anyway.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:16:32 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:16:32 AM
No, it's not, inyou mind, real pc, is about respect for all parties involved
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 10:26:02 AM
Post by: Peep on November 29, 2015, 10:26:02 AM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:16:32 AM
No, it's not, inyou mind, real pc, is about respect for all parties involved
... respect for all parties involved while acknowledging the inherent privilege of one particular party. In that, for example with pronouns, the cis gendered party already respect by default. We don't have to listen to their arguments against us having the right to our correct pronouns before they extend us the same respect. Some issues should not be up for uninvited debate - in fact I think that treating gender like a political choice is dangerous. What if you lose the polite rational debate? Time to detransition? (joke)
I think though that your main point is that we can gain ground on civil liberties without being openly horrible to people? Which is fair. I mean to come back to my example above: it'd be a bit of a petty move to demonstrate the default privilege that the hypothetical cis person has by referring to them as 'it'. :P
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:34:22 AM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 10:34:22 AM
Yes that's my point :)
Title: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 10:36:03 AM
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 10:36:03 AM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 09:47:07 AMNo. I couldn't care less if someone disagrees with me. I call people idiots who go out of their way to treat others like crap for any reason at all.
And that's what I'm talking about, calling people idiots because they disagree with you.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Robyn37 on November 29, 2015, 10:41:43 AM
Post by: Robyn37 on November 29, 2015, 10:41:43 AM
I also do not take offense often, but this comes with privilege. I can handle a little joking around about MY situation, and I am more than willing to joke right back.
The problem arises from generalized statements about the transgender community. This casual transphobia is what gets us KILLED. This speech socializes everyone to believe that transgender = bad. It is the reason suicide can seem like a more realistic option than transition. It is the reason people are hesitant to date us, no matter how open minded they believe themselves to be. It is the reason we are targets for harassment and violence every time we walk out the door.
The ability to change this way of thinking starts with AWARENESS of the things you say. Many are not aware of how our speech can affect others. By pointing out signs of transphobia to others, you help them become aware and change their own patterns of speech. This helps them to become better allies, and one day they will be able to correct others as well. Imagine the day when you are with a group of friends and one says "just make sure your date doesn't have a dick" to try to get some laughter, and another friend pipes in "saying things like that are what get trans people killed". That is an excellent ally who shut down the laughter and brought awareness to the group.
Always check your privilege. You may have the ability to be around accepting friends and joke about this stuff in a safe environment, whereas someone is out there on the streets, rejected by friends and family, struggling to survive. I would challenge you to use this privilege as a way to spread change for the better of all of us, and it starts by pointing out transphobic speech.
The problem arises from generalized statements about the transgender community. This casual transphobia is what gets us KILLED. This speech socializes everyone to believe that transgender = bad. It is the reason suicide can seem like a more realistic option than transition. It is the reason people are hesitant to date us, no matter how open minded they believe themselves to be. It is the reason we are targets for harassment and violence every time we walk out the door.
The ability to change this way of thinking starts with AWARENESS of the things you say. Many are not aware of how our speech can affect others. By pointing out signs of transphobia to others, you help them become aware and change their own patterns of speech. This helps them to become better allies, and one day they will be able to correct others as well. Imagine the day when you are with a group of friends and one says "just make sure your date doesn't have a dick" to try to get some laughter, and another friend pipes in "saying things like that are what get trans people killed". That is an excellent ally who shut down the laughter and brought awareness to the group.
Always check your privilege. You may have the ability to be around accepting friends and joke about this stuff in a safe environment, whereas someone is out there on the streets, rejected by friends and family, struggling to survive. I would challenge you to use this privilege as a way to spread change for the better of all of us, and it starts by pointing out transphobic speech.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 10:43:30 AM
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 10:43:30 AM
If someone makes an offensive comment innocently there is no harm intended and no offense should be taken. That's not a PC issue. It's simply lack of knowledge.
Comments directed with ill intent are the issue for PC.
I agree that turning everything into a PC crisis make us the stupid sounding ones.
Comments directed with ill intent are the issue for PC.
I agree that turning everything into a PC crisis make us the stupid sounding ones.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: kittenpower on November 29, 2015, 11:14:10 AM
Post by: kittenpower on November 29, 2015, 11:14:10 AM
In my opinion, if someone doesn't care how people talk to them, and treat them, they are clearly lacking self esteem. Has it ever occurred to you that when people jokingly use derogatory terms, that they aren't joking, and are using that light hearted attitude as a guise to continually degrade and humiliate you?
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 11:23:06 AM
Post by: Deborah on November 29, 2015, 11:23:06 AM
Yes. It's all about reading the other person and understanding their intent. That's easy to do in person but harder over the Internet or in other written forms.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 12:00:19 PM
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 12:00:19 PM
I don't want to be reduced to the sum of my genitals. It's not about education for most people. Even if you educate them they will use your genital status to mock you. Maybe you haven't had it really bad yet. I don't know how much out and about you are, but if you live full time it's a different game.
The word "->-bleeped-<-" bothers me if applied in the same way as the "n word" bothers a black person. Among trans friends? Not so much... ditto the N word among african-americans. It's not really the word. It's the intent. The intent may be to mock, ridicule and treat you as lesser. That's the real problem, not necessarily the word itself.
Give me an objective standard of what it is like to look female and I will agree with you. But you can't, so I can't agree with you.
Do you know that if that pic in your avatar is truly you, some people would do a double take if they see you in a women's restroom? In some countries this can get you killed. In some parts of the US it can even get you arrested. It's especially true if your voice is still masculine and you dress androgynously.
The word "->-bleeped-<-" bothers me if applied in the same way as the "n word" bothers a black person. Among trans friends? Not so much... ditto the N word among african-americans. It's not really the word. It's the intent. The intent may be to mock, ridicule and treat you as lesser. That's the real problem, not necessarily the word itself.
QuoteI think I'm truly fed up with the pc police in liberal news, and inside our own community, there is a limit to what is sane and rational. Everyone as a right to have their gender affirmed, everyone does not have the right to walk into the girls loo the day they come out. I'm sorry but if you say your a girl, and are still wearing an Abe Lincoln beard, you do not belong in the lady's room.
Give me an objective standard of what it is like to look female and I will agree with you. But you can't, so I can't agree with you.
Do you know that if that pic in your avatar is truly you, some people would do a double take if they see you in a women's restroom? In some countries this can get you killed. In some parts of the US it can even get you arrested. It's especially true if your voice is still masculine and you dress androgynously.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 12:40:03 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 12:40:03 PM
Quote from: kittenpower on November 29, 2015, 11:14:10 AM
In my opinion, if someone doesn't care how people talk to them, and treat them, they are clearly lacking self esteem. Has it ever occurred to you that when people jokingly use derogatory terms, that they aren't joking, and are using that light hearted attitude as a guise to continually degrade and humiliate you?
OK let me do this one first, I actually have a very high opinion of myself, bordering on egotism, no it has never occurred to me that they are secretly being derogatory as I have known these people my entire life, and they supported me before I even supported myself. I care very much how I'm treated, I want to be treated just like everyone else, I don't want special treatment, I don't want people to feel as though they are walking on thin glass around me.
Quote
"If someone says something that offends you, tell them, but all women don't have to think alike. . . . I like when the guys tease me. It's an inadvertent show of respect; I'm part of the team, and I don't mind it when it gets sexual. And you know what, I like sex. . . . I don't think whatever sexuality I have diminishes my power. I think it enhances it."
When asked if someone could not find a different way to pay a compliment.
He would be able to, but that isn't the point. The point is that sexual revolution tends to get in the way of actual revolution. Nonsense issues distract attention away from real ones: pay equity, child care, honest-to-God sexual harassment
I love arrow sorkin.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 12:48:22 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 12:48:22 PM
Give an objective standard, no I can't do that, but I can say that the duck dynasty guys probably don't belong in the girls head.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 12:49:38 PM
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 12:49:38 PM
Don't mind answering any personal questions or answering what genitallia I have down there. In fact, I enjoy answering these personal questions because I feel that they are interested and that is much better than judging and avoiding me. At thanksgiving I saw family I haven't seen Ina long time and at one point they were all drilling me with questions and kept apologizing for doing so I continuously told them they can ask me whatever they want it's entertaining to me. As far as mis gendering goes I do not tolerate that, I don't get misgendered much but certainly have. The thing is with me that they can't use it as an excuse of being confused because they clearly see me dressing looking acting female so why even say sir that's just rude. Although I am confident in who I am I still don't like the excuse of them being confused. Now if someone yells something like man or ->-bleeped-<- which hasn't happened but if it did I would probably just flip my hair and walk confidently past them to own it. I feel like ->-bleeped-<- isn't that bad of a word to me and I don't mind it if people I know say it sometimes.
Penis misgender ->-bleeped-<- personal questions
Penis misgender ->-bleeped-<- personal questions
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 12:52:19 PM
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 12:52:19 PM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 12:48:22 PM
Give an objective standard, no I can't do that, but I can say that the duck dynasty guys probably don't belong in the girls head.
Obviously. That is one extreme.
People have been harassed for looking "borderline." Like you. Like me. Like many trans women. Like some cis women.
In the end we have to trust people and prosecute actual crimes when they happen.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:03:13 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:03:13 PM
O and honestly, and this is just my hyper sense of self confidence, but the only double take I usually get is from someone looking at my ass.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:09:37 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:09:37 PM
I honestly think my personal confidence is why people don't second guess that I'm anything other than what I say I am, when I use the head I walking in, I say hello to anyone standing around, maybe make some chit chat, I do my buisness, I don't look hesitant or shifty
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 01:12:10 PM
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 01:12:10 PM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:03:13 PM
O and honestly, and this is just my hyper sense of self confidence, but the only double take I usually get is from someone looking at my ass.
Trust me, people see things in us. That is why some of us go for FFS and body contouring etc. This is why we take hormones. (not everyone does it for that reason, I realize that we do it to see ourselves as we envision ourselves.)
I am really trying to be nice here but I know people who would definitely clock you. I know people who would clock me. That's just how it is and we don't have the fallback defense of being cisgender. Once arrested, your old name will come up in the computer as an AKA. Especially if you transitioned in your current state of residence.
The bottom line is that not all of us have passing privilege and very few of us can say we've never been clocked or can never be clocked. It's that 0.01% chance that someone could yell out "man in the women's bathroom!!!" and call the cops, then it's all over.
We want to avoid that. It's not about "duck dynasty in the ladies" at all.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 01:12:44 PM
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 01:12:44 PM
Quote from: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 01:03:13 PM
O and honestly, and this is just my hyper sense of self confidence, but the only double take I usually get is from someone looking at my ass.
Lol
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 01:14:54 PM
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 01:14:54 PM
Anyone will get clocked even if you are the most passable trans woman everyone deals with it as some point
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: April_TO on November 29, 2015, 01:15:28 PM
Post by: April_TO on November 29, 2015, 01:15:28 PM
Quote from: kittenpower on November 29, 2015, 11:14:10 AM
In my opinion, if someone doesn't care how people talk to them, and treat them, they are clearly lacking self esteem. Has it ever occurred to you that when people jokingly use derogatory terms, that they aren't joking, and are using that light hearted attitude as a guise to continually degrade and humiliate you?
This^
I may not have the eloquence to express my opinion on this site coz it seems like there's a lot of political views being shared with how people should treat us. In my own simple view about this topic, if I dress and act as a woman you should treat me as one. Yes, we cannot force acceptance to people but respect should always be there.
If someone is not offended by misgendering, I am happy for you. I for one, will not tolerate misgendering. It is complete disrespect of my gender expression and identity.
Btw, jokes are half meant. I would assume everyone knows that :)
xoxo
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 01:20:23 PM
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 01:20:23 PM
I think it boils down to some people are OK with being disrespected while most simply want respect.
Call the average woman a "ho" and it won't go down very well. But there are few who don't mind it and it seems as though they don't have much self respect.
That said, apart from my one colleague I was talking about in the other thread I haven't had to correct anyone in a long time. Female pronouns are the default now, even when dressed completely male (as I do very rarely).
Call the average woman a "ho" and it won't go down very well. But there are few who don't mind it and it seems as though they don't have much self respect.
That said, apart from my one colleague I was talking about in the other thread I haven't had to correct anyone in a long time. Female pronouns are the default now, even when dressed completely male (as I do very rarely).
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 02:24:56 PM
Post by: Kathleenmarie on November 29, 2015, 02:24:56 PM
Quote from: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 01:12:44 PM
Lol
Truly 😊😉
And yes I did get clocked plenty when I first started doing this. That was 2.5 years ago.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Elsa Delyth on November 29, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
Post by: Elsa Delyth on November 29, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
Psychological health is directly correlated with how nice people are to you. That's why good looking, affluent people have it all, intelligence, stability, and psychological health, above the mean.
Being cruel to someone, even if "only joking", or telling "hard truths" (that actually more reduce to your values, and opinions rather than facts) does people damage.
"Over-sensitivity", and "PC" are just delegitimizing catch phrases, and not actual points, or objections, but names you call someone in order to dismiss their objections of abuse. Names we don't want to be called, when we want to be cool, and liked, and not associated with the frantic, the no fun, the hysteric.
Mean people are the ones that ruin the fun, not the ones unwilling to conceal their hurt, and pretend like everything is fine, while being mocked, or ridiculed, because they're such good sports.
Will also say, that "egotism" is most definitely not the opposite of a lack of self-esteem, as narcissists are definitely not the posture child for self-esteem. The need to self-elevate, to self-promote, self-aggrandize is rooted in a low self esteem, as it is about molding, or effecting perceptions of oneself by others. It is rooted in the feeling that one isn't good enough as one is, and thus has to convince people that you possess all of these amazing attributes in order to feel secure about oneself.
Being cruel to someone, even if "only joking", or telling "hard truths" (that actually more reduce to your values, and opinions rather than facts) does people damage.
"Over-sensitivity", and "PC" are just delegitimizing catch phrases, and not actual points, or objections, but names you call someone in order to dismiss their objections of abuse. Names we don't want to be called, when we want to be cool, and liked, and not associated with the frantic, the no fun, the hysteric.
Mean people are the ones that ruin the fun, not the ones unwilling to conceal their hurt, and pretend like everything is fine, while being mocked, or ridiculed, because they're such good sports.
Will also say, that "egotism" is most definitely not the opposite of a lack of self-esteem, as narcissists are definitely not the posture child for self-esteem. The need to self-elevate, to self-promote, self-aggrandize is rooted in a low self esteem, as it is about molding, or effecting perceptions of oneself by others. It is rooted in the feeling that one isn't good enough as one is, and thus has to convince people that you possess all of these amazing attributes in order to feel secure about oneself.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Ⓥ on November 29, 2015, 04:06:11 PM
Post by: Ⓥ on November 29, 2015, 04:06:11 PM
Quote from: iKate on November 29, 2015, 12:00:19 PM
Do you know that if that pic in your avatar is truly you, some people would do a double take if they see you in a women's restroom?
Quote from: iKate on November 29, 2015, 01:12:10 PM
I am really trying to be nice here but I know people who would definitely clock you.
Wow, that's so sweet of you.
P.S. KathleenMarie, you look amazing.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 04:10:11 PM
Post by: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 04:10:11 PM
Quote from: Elsa Delyth on November 29, 2015, 03:34:10 PM
Psychological health is directly correlated with how nice people are to you. That's why good looking, affluent people have it all, intelligence, stability, and psychological health, above the mean.
Being cruel to someone, even if "only joking", or telling "hard truths" (that actually more reduce to your values, and opinions rather than facts) does people damage.
"Over-sensitivity", and "PC" are just delegitimizing catch phrases, and not actual points, or objections, but names you call someone in order to dismiss their objections of abuse. Names we don't want to be called, when we want to be cool, and liked, and not associated with the frantic, the no fun, the hysteric.
Mean people are the ones that ruin the fun, not the ones unwilling to conceal their hurt, and pretend like everything is fine, while being mocked, or ridiculed, because they're such good sports.
Will also say, that "egotism" is most definitely not the opposite of a lack of self-esteem, as narcissists are definitely not the posture child for self-esteem. The need to self-elevate, to self-promote, self-aggrandize is rooted in a low self esteem, as it is about molding, or effecting perceptions of oneself by others. It is rooted in the feeling that one isn't good enough as one is, and thus has to convince people that you possess all of these amazing attributes in order to feel secure about oneself.
I can't agree with everything you said. Of course no one should be disrespecting people and we do need more tolerance and respect from others towards people in our community but someone's physcological health shouldn't and doesn't reflect 100% of how nice or mean people are to you. But then again everybody has a different mindset. I think us as transgender people need to make sure we know who we are and find things to stay confident about even tho it can be hard sometimes because we will always get good and bad treatment in general. When I first started transitioning I got treated more bad than good and I was put down by many people I knew but I remained confident because I knew it was just their opinion and their terrible way of thinking so I just felt bad for them. When my dad would try and make me feel bad I would always remain happy knowing that I'm going to eventually become to woman I am no matter what. We all deserve respect and it does help with confidence but you should never rely on what people say to determine how you feel about yourself.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Elsa Delyth on November 29, 2015, 04:21:35 PM
Post by: Elsa Delyth on November 29, 2015, 04:21:35 PM
Quote from: NataliaDoll on November 29, 2015, 04:10:11 PM
I can't agree with everything you said. Of course no one should be disrespecting people and we do need more tolerance and respect from others towards people in our community but someone's physcological health shouldn't and doesn't reflect 100% of how nice or mean people are to you. But then again everybody has a different mindset. I think us as transgender people need to make sure we know who we are and find things to stay confident about even tho it can be hard sometimes because we will always get good and bad treatment in general. When I first started transitioning I got treated more bad than good and I was put down by many people I knew but I remained confident because I knew it was just their opinion and their terrible way of thinking so I just felt bad for them. When my dad would try and make me feel bad I would always remain happy knowing that I'm going to eventually become to woman I am no matter what. We all deserve respect and it does help with confidence but you should never rely on what people say to determine how you feel about yourself.
Well, I didn't remotely come near to saying that it "100%" reflected it, I said that it was correlated, which doesn't even necessarily imply causation in any sense, but just suggests that they're related.
I would take it further than I did though, and say that they're most definitely related. There is something they call "resilience", which is basically one's ability to deal with abuse, adversity, and stress without cracking, but everyone cracks under enough pressure, and the damaged crack all the more easily under later pressures.
Maybe it ought not be that way, but unfortunately, many things that ought not be, are.
Title: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 04:34:39 PM
Post by: iKate on November 29, 2015, 04:34:39 PM
Quote from: Ⓥ on November 29, 2015, 04:06:11 PM
Wow, that's so sweet of you.
P.S. KathleenMarie, you look amazing.
To be totally fair though, she said from the outset she didn't mind misgendering.
And thanks for the selective quoting where you didn't quote that I said that people would clock me or many other Trans women either.
I wanted to point that out because she made the comment that we shouldn't get upset that we can't use the women's loo the day we come out. That dismisses and minimizes the real struggle of Trans women who even after years of hormones are still misgendered every day and can't use the restroom without fear, or women who have had voice surgery or extensive training still being called "sir" on the phone.
But I guess she has passing privilege? That's kind of bold. She did say she lives in a liberal area so that may help her.
Title: Re: Why I don't take offense to questions, comments, or misgendering
Post by: Ms Grace on November 29, 2015, 04:38:45 PM
Post by: Ms Grace on November 29, 2015, 04:38:45 PM
Cool off folks.
Thread locked.
Thread locked.