hey guys and dolls,
We all know gender dysphoria, but gender euphoria? Is there a such thing?
If so, what would it be? A transitioned transsexual comfortable at last? A cisgender person comfortable in their gender?
it seems like cisgendered people dont really have the euphoric effect since theyve never been uncomfortable with their gender and then consciously had to fix it.
Yeah, cisgendered people often take their gender for granted. We feel good because we actually work to make things right and feel accomplished.
Quote from: Josh on August 23, 2009, 03:27:19 PM
it seems like cisgendered people dont really have the euphoric effect since theyve never been uncomfortable with their gender and then consciously had to fix it.
That's it in a nutshell. We can feel positive but I wouldn't describe it as euphoria.
Euphoria = Manic end of Bi-polar? Seems like it to me.
I do think we who change our sex to match our selves are far happier when it matches than cis folks who have never had to deal with anything like it.
Quote from: Josh on August 23, 2009, 03:27:19 PM
it seems like cisgendered people dont really have the euphoric effect since theyve never been uncomfortable with their gender and then consciously had to fix it.
Except, apparently, the person who wrote "I Enjoy Being a Girl". ;)
But, yeah, I would describe those moments when you look in the mirror, and find something that matches your identity as "Gender Euphoria". And I would submit that it is probably felt more often in early transition - the day you get that first gender-appropriate haircut, the day you start binding (or stuffing), the day you get your first "Sir" or "Ma'am". And so forth ...
in the beginning of my transition, I would sometimes just sit and meditate and let the reality of the fact I was finally becoming the woman on the outside I had always been on the inside, and that would produce feelings of such joy and elatedness in me that I can only describe them as "euphoric". And while It's not quite the same anymore as I have gotten used to my life as a woman, I am still much more at peace and much happier now than I ever could have been as that other person.
I have to agree with Matilda,
I keep telling people who've asked that surgery was the biggest non-event in my life. It changed so much, and yet only left me feeling whole.. no parades, no Yippies!! Just a calm.. "I'm finally home" sort of feeling.
And I'm glad to see more and more are realizing that once on the other side.. you are trans no more. :)
Quote from: Shanawolf on August 23, 2009, 08:58:35 PM
"I'm finally home"
i like that.
froim my sig:
Identification of those who have fully transitioned as "trans-anything" is at best demeaning and at worst deceptive.
Quote from: Natasha on August 24, 2009, 05:30:25 PM
froim my sig: Identification of those who have fully transitioned as "trans-anything" is at best demeaning and at worst deceptive.
I have a major issue with this quote. Unfortunately, I need to leave for work now, so I don't have time to go into my reasoning. And anyway I don't want to start a fight.
So let's just leave it at, you live your reality, and don't f-ing tell me how I should live mine. >:(
Quote from: Jamie-o on August 24, 2009, 05:36:24 PM
I have a major issue with this quote. Unfortunately, I need to leave for work now, so I don't have time to go into my reasoning. And anyway I don't want to start a fight.
So let's just leave it at, you live your reality, and don't f-ing tell me how I should live mine. >:(
i'm not telling you how to live your reality. if you don't like my quote, that's your problem not mine.
Sheesh, what does this topic have to do with this irritating old semantic argument. Folks, the words "transsexual" and "transgender" are defined on this site for this site; obviously these are not universally agreed-upon. But why does it have to turn into a big argument every time someone uses these terms AS DEFINED FOR THIS SITE? ???
--
Nero, I totally agree with your observation of "gender euphoria." I think some cis folk experience it from time to time; think Brad Paisley. Mostly, it's closer to "euthymia," a nice SAT word I learned from my therapist -- a normal agreeable mood, with a generally positive outlook.
I'm definitely not euphoric most of the time about finally being able to live as a woman, though every now and then I have my moments of glee. Mostly it's closer to euthymia. Kind of boring, but nice.
I want to apologize for my little outburst earlier. I've not been sleeping well, or feeling well, and it's making me cranky. That, and any hint of people telling me how I should think/feel/be just sets off a knee-jerk reaction in me. But it wasn't an appropriate comment, and I'm sorry.
Back to being euphoric ... ;)
Euphoria, a feeling of well being or elation (Merriam-Webster Online).
Without wanting to be pedantic I would have thought many of us and them (sorry, not meant rudely) would have felt those emotions at least sometimes. For us in between the lows. And for all of us at times when we love someone, even a friend on here delivering good news.
I'm probably off the track again, I've got a cold and need some cleansing whisky to feel euphoric :icon_drunk:
Cindy
I, for one, am just finally glad to be gender NORMAL.
Jay
I'll drink to that one Jay.. :icon_drunk:
And Natasha.. love your sig..
Quote from: CindyJames on August 25, 2009, 04:17:19 AM
Euphoria, a feeling of well being or elation (Merriam-Webster Online).
This is one of those terms that has a general meaning and a technical meaning. Usually, dysphoria is being used technically in the phrase "gender dysphoria," so I answered the question with the technical meaning of "euphoria," which isn't a generally desirable state. (But I base that only on my limited understanding of the term; perhaps Nichole would be able to give a clearer statement.)
I guess my point is, there are two different and valid ways to interpret what "gender euphoria" might mean.
Mm, I'd tend to go with euphoria being either jumping-up-and-down happy excitement, or just really laid-back exquisite happiness, that sort of balloon-about-to-burst-in-your-chest sort of feeling. Sort of. This would generally be how I picture euphoria...
(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F_fKiy1oPSrbc%2FSH4mF1Bts0I%2FAAAAAAAAAPA%2F8PCOGtP8XWo%2Fs400%2Fmarshall%252Bhappy.jpg&hash=6dfbf1c2b3872f6b6502507368e2487f99384e43)
...As for gender euphoria, I'd almost picture it (sorry for posting two biggies) like this -
Shania Twain - Man! I Feel Like A Woman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHbdC1U1EaE#noexternalembed-normal)
Wow... Last saw it when I was 12 and tried to ignore it because I didn't like the "I feel like a woman" bit... Forgot how awesome that clip is... Don't know who's hotter, the guys or her in that coat suit and top-hat... >:-)
BUT ANYWAY... :angel: ;)
Yes, so I'd think being gender euphoric would be relishing in being the gender you were born as.
Haha I was thinking of that shania twain song too.
haha when I was little I used to sing man I feel like a man ::)
The way I'd define gender euphoria would be similar to what Jaime-o said, those things along the road that align with your internal gender, especially when externally you are still at odds.
If gender dysphoria can raise its head as that "shutting down" feeling when you see something of your physical self that doesn't match your gender identity, then for me, I think that gender euphoria can be those gleeful times when you feel that your physical and mental realities "match".
For instance, the first time I used an STP... *that* for me was gender euphoria. The first time I wore a binder and felt the seatbelt in my car go flat across my chest... also gender euphoria. Being sir'd (pretty much every time, but I'm still new at this... lol), packing, the first time my partner moaned "James" during intimacy (sorry for the TMI), shaving my face (even though I don't have "male" hair growth, I've just always been a little furry) instead of waxing, these things give me what I'd consider to be "gender euphoric" moments.
To me, it's just the flipside to the gender dysphoria coin... And it makes the dysphoric times less depressing, knowing that another "good" moment could be right around the corner.
P.S. William, I *love* that "A happy... I has it" pic!
It seems like at least once a day I hug myself and say "I am so happy being Kate." I've also been on a tear lately, so frisky I'm driving people crazy. (Fortunately I live in a small town where I can't easily get into too much trouble. ;)) I would guess this might be gender euphoria.
I was wondering the other day whether my complete joy at being Kate is related to how long I had to wait for it and the fact that I never expected to be able to do it. Even when I made the first tentative steps earlier this year I thought I might be able to be Katherine, but Kate would be out of my reach. But I am Kate and absolutely love it.
Blissfully, wonderfully, so euphoric I'm being a pain-in-the-whatever,
Kate ;D ;D ;D
I'd say Yes, it's when I was a kid, 8 or 9 years old, going around in a pair of shorts, shirtless, and going around to the beach, getting up early in the morning and tearing around on my Schwinn Sting-Ray, climbing trees, having crazy sand fights, etc. my body just purely natural and non-problematic. Sure I didn't have muscles like Superman or Charles Atlas which for some reason I thought was my Dad in some earlier career, but that didn't keep me from running, climbing, swimming, paddling a board, diving, pedaling my bike up "killer hill" etc just as hard and fast and exhaustingly as I could, and then on an ideal day, going to sleep exhausted and full of my Mom's horrible cooking, and dream about flying.
Puberty wrecked all that. Sure I've been athletic as hell since but that feeling of perfect naturalness is gone. It will be back the day I can go to the beach in a Speedo only and show off muscles with a lot of Latin names.