(I don't know what was said on page two of this thread because work has decided that that page is worthy of being blocked.)

It depends on the context.  I don't use it for myself, because I don't particularly associate with being trans, and it's more often associated with women, so I don't feel like it's really my word to reclaim.  Very, very, very occasionally I'll say it tongue in cheek when referring to myself and I'm with people that I know won't take offense from it, or take it the wrong way, but that's it.

When other people use it I have to remind myself that it's probably simply because they're uneducated on the offensiveness of the word, similar to the way that they often say "->-bleeped-<-" when meaning "transsexual", or "hermaphrodite" instead of "intersex", because of being uneducated.  It's not something which is commonly come across for most people, and trans people are still seen as something other and rare in a lot of cases which doesn't help.  The majority of people don't know, or don't know that they know someone who's trans, so it's hard for them to get a grasp of it being something which happens in reality.  If I know that it's highly likely to just be a lack of education causing them to carelessly use the word then I don't mind it so much, but I do always get a twinge of discomfort at the fact that they could be using it in a derogatory way.

Like any reclaimed word, it's personal and context is always key. I go back and forth on it myself. What actually irritates me the most is when people who are somewhat educated about trans people (enough to think they know all about it, when they really just have a vague idea because they know a couple of trans guys/girls) start thinking they can throw the word around like it's nothing and completely ignore when people are uncomfortable. I'm still pretty young and I went to an arts school, where a couple of friends still go.  Knowing only about trans politics in that young, artistic, and mostly accepting atmosphere can make some people forget that the world doesn't quite work the same way on the outside. My way of looking at it is that I have no judgment for trans people using it, but it irritates me to see cis allies throw it around casually.

As for whether trans women have more of a right to the word then men,  I respect that t girls have in history been the recipients of that slur on a much larger scale than trans guys, I get that it hits closer to home for the girls. Our struggle has been more with just not being seen. We still have a right to it though, imo.  I think more trans guys refer to themselves as ->-bleeped-<-s in reaction to being invisible in society, a way of claiming their identity publicly. A way to say, "I fit here too, I'm not just androgynous/boyish/butch or whatever you label me"

this makes me chuckle inwardly as ->-bleeped-<- and ->-bleeped-<-got are the two words i use most often to describe myself as far as gender and sexuality.

then i was never one for political correctness.

The word itself doesn't bother me, it's how it's said.  At the same time though, it's never a term of endearment so maybe it's not such a great word to use regardless of the sentiment behind it.

I routinely refer to myself as a ->-bleeped-<-.  It's just easier to say than "transwoman".  If there were a magic pill to make me a ciswoman I wouldn't take it, I'm proud to be trans.

I agree with other posters, I'm taking ->-bleeped-<- back from porn.

-AM

Words don't really offend me. Actions toward and the way you treat me do. What about the word "redneck"? I have been called this too because I am from the south and as a male with long hair and dressed down, it wasn't a compliment for sure. ->-bleeped-<- is just a shortened version of transgender. It can be used either way. ->-bleeped-<- doesn't really bother me either. These two words seem to be prevailent in the porn industry so there must be whole lot of people either curious or interested whether they admit it or not. But I am definitely not an "it", that takes away a person's humanity and that one really offends me and those who use that word are the lowest of the low.

not offended by it in the least. 

I guess maybe if someone used it with explicit malicious intent I'd be pissed off (as with any anti-trans behavior).  I also don't mind the word ->-bleeped-<-got, but when the drunk southern lady who stole my room mates cab after work called him a ->-bleeped-<-got it pissed me off (and I was quite pleased that he threw his 32 oz fruit punch on her white shirt). When I hear the song ->-bleeped-<-got by MSI I am not at all offended.  When I call my room mate a ->-bleeped-<-got [or visa versa] neither of us are offended =p.  We're a bunch of queers in my house, and we prefer it that way. 

I'll tell people that I'm a ->-bleeped-<- all the time.  Its a short word for transexual, and it sounds less clinical and finicky than any of the other trans descriptors I can think of.  Also, as with any non-pc words use will only take the power out of it.  If ->-bleeped-<- is only ever used by haters than that is the power the word will take on.

I also agree with Androgynous_Machine.  I'm proud to be trans.  I took my life in my own hands and refused to live the way my genetics predisposed me to live.  I'd certainly take a pill to wake up tomorrow with a functioning dick, but not to erase the past.