As a "new" transgender here, I was thinking a thought when I started this thread, "I'm transgender, what does that mean, I'm not a CDer, not sure if I need surgery, what the heck am I"? Just trying to see if there are categories where I can place my feelings to further understand myself. Maybe people between CDer and TS should be called an old term, "transgenderist". Eh, what do I know. 

Patience grasshopper, all will be revealed in time.  Many people criticize things such as required therapy and RLE as gate keeping. The truth is they give you the time to find out what your true feelings are and to adjust to your new life. I learned so much about myself in the three year prior to surgery that I would have never learned had they given me surgery without those three years. Just take it a day at a time and keep making small changes in your life until you get there.

Yes Master Po, oh I mean Dena. 

It's the computer scientist in me that makes me post these things. 

I love Spock and Caine. I need to minimize my Spock and get my Caine on.

Quote from: amandam on August 05, 2017, 12:08:02 PM
As a "new" transgender here, I was thinking a thought when I started this thread, "I'm transgender, what does that mean, I'm not a CDer, not sure if I need surgery, what the heck am I"? Just trying to see if there are categories where I can place my feelings to further understand myself. Maybe people between CDer and TS should be called an old term, "transgenderist". Eh, what do I know. 

After eight years into "The Quest" (que the coconut's) I still have no idea for sure who or what I am. However I do have a much stronger foundation upon which I can build on. I always knew I was not "Just a CD" hence my CD++.  (Abacus scientist with the hard cover first edition of Kernigham and Ritchie)

My therapist questioned me about labels when we talked about the NB thing. You are what you are. Why do you need a label? she asked. Grabbing onto something sure is more comforting then floating around in this great void. Any life-saver in a storm I say.

Quote from: JoanneB on August 05, 2017, 08:26:00 AM


BTW - I was always pretty uncomfortable about the label "True Transsexual". From a purely scientific POV it is correct. But how many researchers are there vs the rest who can use the term as a bludgeon? TBH - I know of no one that nicely fits any one category as defined.

Thanks JoanneB and I do agree mostly with your assessment, my question was somewhat rhetorical in nature and I have some very strong views on the Drs outdated categories. But I think your post on the whole is spot on and you made a number of eloquent points .

Ruh roh, Raggy,

I see a connection to 5 of the 6 DSM-5 criteria. Why do I "like that". It's like I want it to happen. Kinda scary.

Classifications and distinctions can be useful in understanding.   But, all to often the are used to divide.
Once said divisions are identified, opposition can then pick a given division to marginalize.   Focusing
on that which we share builds larger and more cohesive entity.  At a certain size, division to marginalize
become impractical.     

Quote from: Devlyn Marie on August 05, 2017, 07:38:54 AM
Nothing worse than the Harry Benjamin Syndrome "true transsexual" mindset. Others identities are false?

The way I read Benjamin, he wasn't saying all other identities are false.  I don't believe he was ever quoted as having claimed that. He was, I think, exposing that transsexuals differ from other gender non-conformers inasmuch as they desire medical intervention and thereby constitute a distinct grouping among the gender nonconforming population.  And as a pioneer in the field of gender research, and as an important figure in transgender history part of our heritage and basically the founder of the WPATH and something of a bright light in a very dark time for transgender folks, I don't think he was even aware that he would be offending people at some point in the future.

From Wikipedia:

"Male-to-female transsexualism has sometimes been called "Harry Benjamin's syndrome" after the endocrinologist who pioneered the study of dysphoria.[38] As the present-day medical study of gender variance is much broader than Benjamin's early description, there is greater understanding of its aspects,[23] and use of the term Harry Benjamin's syndrome has been criticized for delegitimizing gender-variant people with different experiences."

Also, Benjamin usually describes MTF transsexuals as men. You can have him if you want. The medical community has left his theories behind, and I shall do the same.

Hugs, Devlyn

I found some info from Lynn Conway. She differentiates between transgender and transsexual on her Umich page. I like how she laid it out as, basically, mild transgender, middle transgender, advanced transgender (transsexual), to paraphrase. Even if not that scientific it gives me some guidelines.

Does it really need to be more complicated than genderqueer?

No division - we are all included, but clearly marking our difference - that we think about our gender (a lot), and our conclusions differ from the simplistic models devised by society, and some have very real clarity of what their gender is, and what they need to do to move toward that goal.

It could be fluid, it could be genderless, it could be opposite. The reality is, that it's just different to the fixed congruent world of gender that most of society can work within.


Rowan

I am reposting this from some weeks ago, just seems to answer some questions and make things less complicated at least for me. Subject was "Who Am I Again?" Hope this may be of help to others.

I am Transgender

I am transgender, I have accepted myself as transgender. I choose to live my life as it is, without the use of HRT, RLE, of GCS. My life is authentic and not biased towards others.

I am transgender, I have accepted myself as transgender, I have chose HRT to ease my dysphoria and its ability to help align my body and mind as one. I choose to live my life without the need for  RLE or GCS.  My life is authentic and not biased towards others.

I am transgender, I have accepted myself as transgender. I have chose HRT to ease my dysphoria and its ability to help align my body and mind as one.  I am now living my life as  RLE so that I can more realize my life as the woman I have always wanted and know myself to be. I am now doing that on a daily basis, my life is authentic and not biased towards others

I am transgender, I have accepted myself as transgender. I have chose HRT to ease my dysphoria and its ability to help align my body and mind as one. I am now living my life as RLE so that I can more realize my life as the woman I have always wanted and known myself to be. I have chose GCS to make that final transition to make myself feel complete and whole, my life is authentic and not biased towards others.

We are all one in this community, from the acceptance of who we are, to how we choose to live that acceptance. One is no more authentic than the other, nor should there be any bias toward others simply because they choose to live their life differently than their own. Support each other, help each other, we all have chosen a more difficult path in our life's journey. Be there for each other, we will all become better community members by doing it.

Quote from: Sno on August 07, 2017, 06:14:13 AM
Does it really need to be more complicated than genderqueer?
Rowan

   Well, we may never end up with the same definitions. I never use the term queer to describe myself because of what it meant to me growing up. It was a hate filled word. A lot of folks use it now and that is fine for them.
   I think the term is not as important as what Denni was expressing, acceptance. We usually don't get that self acceptance without help or feedback from others. This site is a great place, but there are pathways that are stressed/talked about/ maybe even (not maliciously) respected more than others. If you noticed, she said a number of times, "my path is authentic." Denni's path may not be the most common path seen on this site, but I respect her like crazy for finding what works for her. No one should be judged negatively for their pathway or particular needs (unless they hurt others). I am not criticizing the site as much as agreeing with Denni in the need for a reminder to keep the respect. I have recently wondered about my place on this site. I have made a move going from pre op to post op. I have wanted to be respectful of those who want to be in that very situation. I know how it is to wait for something so important. I wondered, after surgery, if I would be viewed as an outsider by some pre-op ladies who I might have talked or commiserated with before. Will I now be an outsider? I think at least I hope I can dismiss that thought and just fit in as one of the many here on Susan's. Like Denni says, "and not biased toward others." (Dang Denni, you so smart!)
   So, I have a suggestion for our original poster. Maybe you could refer to yourself as "Most beautiful and glorious gender explorer." I mean if you don't want it, I'll take it. lol
Moni