I may have missed this some where but for me being trans has had many infulences on me, my hate for predudice, strong willed... How has being transgendered made you stronger......... :P
No, no and no. I was mentally stronger when I was a child living as lot of like girl and did not realize that something was wrong with me. Perhaps when the process is over I become stronger again.
I wouldn't say it's made me stronger. It has made me more self-aware, and that may have brought out some inner determination that had been buried. Being around, and interacting with awesome, likeminded people *hugs everyone at Susan's*... and the unending, amazing support of the one I love is what's made me stronger than anything specifically to do with being transgendered. :) That's just something I have to deal with.
It's made me more emotional, more angry and sensitive at times, but it has always brought out a strength I always had but was never as noticable before. A determination to keep going no matter what, and a bravery to face my fears.
It's made me feel like a stronger person in general and it's made me feel more independent. I kinda feel like I won't have many friends in life but I don't really care..as long as I'm happy being the person I am
I don't know that it's made me stronger, but it certainly has revealed some of my better qualities...which are in some ways my least attractive qualities as well.
For example, I'm pretty f***ing stubborn, sometimes to the point of stupidity. I've stubbornly held onto my inner image of myself all these years. That's a good thing.
But once I dig my heels in, it can take a serious piece of yellowgear to pull me out again. I'm learning when and how to pull myself out, though. Valuable skill to have.
One characteristic that has no down side that I can see is my ability to survive. No matter how much I wanted to die and escape my pain, I hung on. No matter how many times I wanted to give up, I didn't. Many times I just wanted to live day to day, but I always pushed myself beyond that and tried to improve myself in some way. Most of the time I succeeded.
Some people might not see it, but staying alive is one of my better accomplishments.
I'd say that being trans has informed my politics and personal beliefs to a great degree.