We see plenty of posts of why people hate being trans. But what about the positive things about it? There's gotta be some good things right? I think one good thing about it is that it sets us apart from the boring normalcy of the rest of society. I guess that could be a bad thing too. Depends on how ya look at it.
-Phoenix
* We see all sides of the gendered world. Most people see only half.
* We demonstrate to the world that your sex at birth doesn't have to be a prison.
We are necessary to the proper functioning of humanity. If ever there stopped being trans people, the world would be poorer for it.
You know how the other half lives. It's not a given but it's probably going to reflect in how you interact with the world, that knowledge can be used to be a better person.
I guess two 'puberties' most wouldn't want to experience but personally I want to experience the correct one now that all the crazy crap is out of the way and I already understand the world just fine.
Far as life goals go, it's pretty major and with potential to offer experiences not many people will ever have.
It might be like living two different lives in one lifetime. Who knows? I don't know how it's gonna feel. That's interesting to think about.
We understand that gender and sex are two completely different things.
I try not to be judgemental of others even if I don't completely understand; because I know many people don't understand being trans.
We get to know who our fake friends and family members are.
We're far more resilient than most because of all the cr*p we have to put up with.
If I was born a cis male I would have tried to suppress my feminine side which wouldn't have been healthy; because I would have grown up believing men aren't supposed to be feminine and wouldn't have the chance to think otherwise.
We understand that gender identity and gender expression are two completely different things.
We understand that there are more sexualities out there than LGB and if a guy is fem that doesn't automatically make them gay. Same if a women is masculine.
We understand that trans is a wonderful spectrum.
Depending on your own outlook one clear advantage I see is being on the ground floor of a whole new culture. Modern trans people have only been around for 5 of 6 decades so its really only 2 or 3 generations. We each celebrate milestones that Cis people don't think about. If you choose to celebrate one of these milestones in a unique way that others like, then you could be forming a tradition that lasts centuries.
We see the world for what it is, without the use of pesky labels.
We know its more to gender than what meets the eye.
-Phoenix
Quote from: suzifrommd on February 19, 2016, 07:03:49 AM
* We see all sides of the gendered world. Most people see only half.
* We demonstrate to the world that your sex at birth doesn't have to be a prison.
We are necessary to the proper functioning of humanity. If ever there stopped being trans people, the world would be poorer for it.
Agreed, we are giving a great contribute to humanity, slowly but significantly turning this mad, cruel and violent world in a more sensitive, caring and healthy one.
Another positive thing, is that we are consciously living according with our true nature - this is a great privilege.
;)
Aly
Trans people have always been here so I don't see us as contributing to something new. I do however see us as a part of the long and ongoing struggle to undo the stranglehold a certain religion has had on western culture and thought for several millennia. I think this is a very good thing.
But other than the state of being transgender I'm not sure there is a set of attributes that can apply to all. What I have seen here on this forum is a mix of people with talents and personalities every bit as diverse as the general population.
A couple of traits we might possess in greater frequency though is freedom of thought apart from dogmas and a pretty big capacity for adaptability to both bad and good situations. Even these I suspect are not inherent to our being but are rather learned as a means for survival.
Sapere Aude
The good, by accepting who I am and transitioning I get to be me.
It has taught me that the universe MUCH greater than we think it is.
That matter is only a small subset of energy, and that there is more beyond that energy.
DNA? Words with arbitrary definitions? Silly superstition.
"male","female", games people play to run from fear.
WE ARE NOT OUR PHYSICAL BODIES, WE ARE MUCH GREATER!
This container, this vehicle my spirit is piloting? temporary.
This has also taken me on an an adventure of learning as I tried to explain this to myself that revealed to me many things about this world we overlook. Too much to list. All I can say is learn history for yourself, what you have been told is a lie. Human civilization is a lot older than we think, remember, it is the victors that write history.
Being 'different' I have lived a non standard path in life. This has given me a different viewpoint on society.
Who am I? What are my roots? Where does "this" thing we are effected by come from? It's not a new thing, not a "side effect" of modern life. WE are a fundamental piece of the natural system. Nature uses us to balance things.
Also, there is more dual hemisphere communication in the brain when having to go back and forth between gender expressions. We have a greater opportunity to balance out logic and creativity. To use a game industry metaphor, you have programmers and artists, programmers can't draw a stick figure, artists are baffled by complex code, we are programmer/artists we can use the universal language of math to script beautiful immersive worlds.
Quote from: Deborah on February 19, 2016, 09:04:43 AM
Trans people have always been here so I don't see us as contributing to something new. I do however see us as a part of the long and ongoing struggle to undo the stranglehold a certain religion has had on western culture and thought for several millennia. I think this is a very good thing.
I understand and partially agree with the quote above - yes, trans people always been part of humanity, yet, I'm not a piece of antiquity, I'm alive now as everyone else here, and we are contributing now. We are new beings doing something of unique in the very present (each one of us), and in a very different way in comparison with trans people of the past.
And, sure, one of the byproducts of our presence here today is that we are "part of the long and ongoing struggle to undo the stranglehold a certain religion has had on western culture and thought for several millennia."
I surely agree that this is a very good thing.
Hugs
- I am better able to understand women's issues, which many men find completely foreign. I am glad to have that understanding, to be able to show greater empathy for women, and to be a voice that bridges that gap for men.
- I have learned the value of perseverance and what it means to struggle. Minor hiccups in my day no longer bother me like they used to as a result. I can better handle stress.
- You find out who your true friends and family are. The number of people you have around you may decrease, but the ones that remain are worth 100 of the ones that left.
- It has been a chance to reinvent myself. I felt very "stuck" prior to transitioning, and now I feel like anything is possible.
- Second puberty is much easier than first puberty was.
For me there aren't so many directly positive things with being transgender. But it affect my life and thought process.
I don't take everything for granted after realizing I'm trans. I don't see the world so much black and white anymore. I've learned the world has so many diversity. I rather be cisgender, that would be easier. Most of us human being would off course decide the easiest road. The harder road make me think more about the world etc. I think more about the LGBTs rights; human rights generally as well.
I feel that I've kinda been forced to know myself better than other people might have. I suppose that's good.
Quote from: Alycya on February 19, 2016, 10:29:26 AM
I understand and partially agree with the quote above - yes, trans people always been part of humanity, yet, I'm not a piece of antiquity, I'm alive now as everyone else here, and we are contributing now. We are new beings doing something of unique in the very present (each one of us), and in a very different way in comparison with trans people of the past.
And, sure, one of the byproducts of our presence here today is that we are "part of the long and ongoing struggle to undo the stranglehold a certain religion has had on western culture and thought for several millennia."
I surely agree that this is a very good thing.
Hugs
ok, I admit I'm getting into realms of deep philosophy.
That really is a debate for a different forum.
I don't even view time in a linear sense, which is very difficult to explain.
Antiquity? No, I'm talking eternal.
being tran-* has given me a deeper drive for spirituality.
But we all have our own views on spirit. and that causes many arguments.
The recent change these days is we are finally being recognized and not treated as demons.
I love being trans , for me it's the rebirth or extension of my Hippie days
"What Are Some Good Things About Being Transgender?"
You get to say "I'm with Devlyn." ;D
1) There is probably a greater probability that early in life, you will know discrimination is wrong.
2) If we express ourselves, we force others to expand their tolerance.
3) We are probably more introspective than if we were born cis gender.
4) There is probably a greater probability that early in life, we unlock our artistic talents, as everyone needs to express to themselves, but we may not be able to do so overtly.
5) Our challenges force us to become more rugged than if we were born cis gender.
There are many more things, but I need to go.
Quote from: Devlyn Marie on February 19, 2016, 12:41:58 PM
"What Are Some Good Things About Being Transgender?"
You get to say "I'm with Devlyn." ;D
+1,000,000
hit the nail on the head.
Not sure if already said, but sometimes we open others' eyes and kinda "enlighten" them that there's more than just cis out there, lol.
Also we're able to teach younger people (especially children) that it's fine to be yourself / not fit in any specific "box", etc. I'm sure other LGBT people can too, but yeah.