Hi Everyone

I was not going to chime (thanks Sarah) in on this conversation, I was thinking 'not another label'.  However after reading through all the comments, how could I not pass up this opportunity to do so.

I do not subscribe to the labels that are being used in our community.  As Chrissy said:

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on September 05, 2024, 05:41:57 AMLabels can be bad, they can also be uniting in ways.  I can be emphatic to other MTF transsexuals, because I am one, for example

This is the only label I will use and only when I'm talking to a doctor who knows about my condition and even then, I do not use that term.  Once and that is it.  Jessica states the only label that I will use:

Quote from: Jessica_Rose on September 05, 2024, 11:41:42 AMHow about 'I am'.

It's simple, concise, and unambiguous.

Yes, I am a female, nothing less and nothing more and as Chrissy said in the next post:

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on September 05, 2024, 11:42:56 AMI am me!

Yes; "I am me" and have always been me, my whole life.  I disagree with what Sephirah said and that was:

Quote from: Sephirah on September 05, 2024, 06:06:37 PMIf you use the term "I am", I can guarantee that will be more used against trans people. Far more than "I identify as".

and as Lori said

Quote from: Lori Dee on September 05, 2024, 06:14:43 PMYes, you are correct, haters gonna hate no matter what. They will find any excuse. But they can't prove they are correct. Your spirit, your soul, is not determined by genetics, or biblical decrees, or court orders.

As for the biology part I cannot change my genetics and if I could I would.  The only way things are going to change is as Sephirah said, "Educate the people you can, ignore the people you can't" or as Sarah said:

Quote from: SoupSarah on September 05, 2024, 08:26:35 PMYou cannot argue with an idiot - they will bring you down to their bumpersticker gutter level and beat you with experience.

As for the memes especially the fender one, I just laugh at it, it's funny and as for others just ridicule, ignore them or whatever, Kathy Lauren alludes to how to deal with those type of situations and that is tit for tat.

So "I am a female", I really did not know this until I was about 52, but then again I have lived my whole life as a female up to that point without realizing that, so I do not have to say "I am a female".

Love and Hugs
Sarah B
Official Greeter
@ChrissyRyan @Jessica_Rose @Sephirah @Lori Dee @KathyLauren @SoupSarah @Allie Jayne

This time I need to pipe up..

I have a problem with the term MtF I see it used a lot here and that worries me as the implications are as it says, MALE to FEMALE - that is, once a male, and turning into a FEMALE - wheras a lot of people will tell you they were always the gender that they wanted to transition into - and only lived under duress in the guise of the other gender. It works in the other way too, FtM.. I was never a male, so I could never use the MtF descriptor.  I feel this is an attempt to sub-categorize people by giving them a history and a destination - instead of simply referring to them as the gender they are.

Maybe it is just me being too sensitive or politically correct, but if I had my way, I would discourage the use of MtF and FtM.

Quote from: SoupSarah on September 06, 2024, 07:00:35 PMThis time I need to pipe up..

I have a problem with the term MtF I see it used a lot here and that worries me as the implications are as it says, MALE to FEMALE - that is, once a male, and turning into a FEMALE - wheras a lot of people will tell you they were always the gender that they wanted to transition into - and only lived under duress in the guise of the other gender. It works in the other way too, FtM.. I was never a male, so I could never use the MtF descriptor.  I feel this is an attempt to sub-categorize people by giving them a history and a destination - instead of simply referring to them as the gender they are.

Maybe it is just me being too sensitive or politically correct, but if I had my way, I would discourage the use of MtF and Ftm.

I don't think so, Sarah. Both Sarah's. You are approaching this from the same place. You know how you feel. Where you come from and where you want to be. And, honestly I get entirely what you're saying. If someone was never male, then that term does not apply to them. You are only living your lives in the female state, to affect who you are because that's who you are.

I don't... I don't think this should be scrapped, though. Because a whole lot of people have gone through this. They have learned who they are by learning who they are not. You can put whatever term you want on it. Look at girls like Robby. Just saying "Yeah I knew since I was 2 years old" is all well and good. But people who find out much later in life should be afforded the same respect. I know what you're saying, Sarah, and honestly a lot of me agrees with you. You should not have to say you're going from someone you are not to someone you are. But you're dealing with people who mostly don't understand any of this.

And.. I mean, for a lot of folks here, they come here precisely because they literally are going from male to female.

My intent for this thread was to get the different opinions of members, and we have had some great input. It is not a competition, or a debate to win, so everyone's input is valid, and I trust the readers to make their own minds up in private.

Please bear in mind that debate inhibits some members from contributing as they don't wish to be judged or feel the need to defend their opinions, and I would like to keep this light and hear from as many people as piossible!

Hugs,

Allie

@Allie Jayne
Dear Allie Jayne:
You took the words right out of my mouth...
    ...thank you for posting your thoughts.
HUGS, Danielle [Northern Star Girl]

Quote from: Allie Jayne on September 07, 2024, 12:43:49 AMMy intent for this thread was to get the different opinions of members, and we have had some great input. It is not a competition, or a debate to win, so everyone's input is valid, and I trust the readers to make their own minds up in private.

Please bear in mind that debate inhibits some members from contributing as they don't wish to be judged or feel the need to defend their opinions, and I would like to keep this light and hear from as many people as piossible!

Hugs,

Allie

I have got to be me! 

Chrissy

Quote from: ChrissyRyan on September 07, 2024, 04:21:20 AMI have got to be me! 

Chrissy

And you do such as great job at it. Never stop being you. 

Quote from: Lori Dee on September 07, 2024, 10:43:15 AMAnd you do such as great job at it. Never stop being you. 

Well it is hard not to be me, after all, that is who I am.  So no big accomplishment there!

Chrissy