LGBTQI isn't just part of my life, it is my life.
I run an LGBTQI group, I'm giving an LGBTQI talk in about 2hrs and a longer talk on Monday, then on Tuesday I'm going to a meeting arranged by my local council to discuss improving life for trans people in this city, apparently I'm responsible for this meeting due to comments I made last year.
In between all of this I try to find time to write articles for this site.

The only things in my life that aren't LGBTQI are my dog and playing GTA but I do wonder if my dog is bi as he spends hours casting longing looks at my neighbours dog

I scanned this thread quickly and wasn't thinking of responding until it occurred to me that all of my personal friends are trans, all transitioned, and all but one postop.

Quote from: SarahBoo on May 14, 2015, 11:42:41 PM
Not all TS people feel that way.

I do identify as transsexual. I do not think I had birth defects. There was nothing wrong with my body. The problem was, who I am did not match.

Not everyone in wider society is going to see things our way, either. Just because somebody disagrees, that doesn't mean they are malicious. Often enough, they simply don't agree, and that is all there is to it.

So, I would choose not to be offended by labels. They are what they are, no need to invest negative emotion into it.

Well, I do have a right to ask people not to call me XYZ. I don't want people calling me queer. I feel that it unnecessarily highlights my difference. I want to be known for things I do, accomplish and my good deeds. I don't simply want to be known as "that queer person" or "that trans person." 

If you want to be referred to as that, that's great. You can and I'll respect it. All I'm asking is that people respect my wishes as well.

The idea here is that because you are trans it doesn't mean that you have to be stuffed into that box. I want to get on with it and live my life. To me it's a journey, not a destination.

I still live at home with my parents so I haven't had a chance to explore friendships of that type. My folks are just starting to accept my transition. They would have a heart attack. Once I move out, I'll be able to do much more.

Unfortunately not at all and I am now really regretting it.

I have always avoided any involvement in the LGBTIQ community for the very selfish reason of not wanting to out myself.

Over the last few years I have felt poorer for it. We all need support as we travel through this life and not surrounding myself with people who understand this journey has left me feeling very alone in all of this.

I have tried over the last few years to find social groups in my area particularly in the trans part of the community but there doesn't seem to be many. I have stumbled on a few through the internet, but they all seem to die out as quickly as they start.

It would be really nice to just socialise with other trans girls in real life even if only just for coffee once in a while.

What an interesting thread, As I started try and identify myself, I mostly met up with tlgb as most of who I thought were friends pretty much moved on with my x-wife, then as I began to identify myself as transgender and started my real life, I kind of mixed it up with a lot of cis girl friends and tlgb people,
When and if I go out it is to clubs that are very tlgb only,
My only social outings that are not inclusive are with the church   
I am very active in the local tlgb community here

Well, I'm bisexual and in an apparently lesbian marriage, so there's no getting away from it. Even when the "T" isn't evident, I'm still living at least two of the letters daily! (Oddly, gay men are *not* in my social circle at all; just not that into men in general, and I don't understand what it's like to be a gay man at all even if I may have briefly looked like one.)

Almost a daily thing for me. I have many trans friends that have gay and lesbian acquaintances. I've met genderqueer folks before but we really don't have much in common. I personally find gay people are very accepting of the trans community.

Quote from: iKate on May 15, 2015, 08:37:56 AM
Well, I do have a right to ask people not to call me XYZ. I don't want people calling me queer. I feel that it unnecessarily highlights my difference. ... All I'm asking is that people respect my wishes as well.

The point I am making is - just as nobody has a right to dictate how you or I see things - nor are we any authority in what others perceive.

You can ask people to address you how you see fit, but you cannot demand it. You cannot expect people to go against what they believe, just to accommodate you.

The catch with free speech is that for it to exist - everybody must have the same privilege.

So, I will not be offended if somebody disagrees with me. Live and let live.

Quote from: SarahBoo on May 15, 2015, 07:12:49 PM
The point I am making is - just as nobody has a right to dictate how you or I see things - nor are we any authority in what others perceive.

You can ask people to address you how you see fit, but you cannot demand it. You cannot expect people to go against what they believe, just to accommodate you.

The catch with free speech is that for it to exist - everybody must have the same privilege.

So, I will not be offended if somebody disagrees with me. Live and let live.

That's true, I was merely stating my preference. Just like you or me don't like to be called "sir" either but some people do anyway.

The point is though that some people take the "queer" badge with honor. (And that's cool) I don't. I'm kind of at the point now where I don't want to give anyone a reason to discriminate against me because of my trans history.