The 'freaks' did it with the word 'freak'. 

I did it with my middle name.  My class mates in school would call me Louise.

I'm now quite proud of it.

-Sandy

Quote from: Miniar on April 06, 2010, 02:08:27 PM
I would rather not be known as two-spirit or poly-spirit for the simple reason that I am not "two", nor "many", I am a singular individual, a single spirit in a single body. There's just a glitch involved there.

This isn't just about you, it's about us.  The term (whatever it may be) would represent a group, which you can or not choose to identify with.

It is hard to give a general term to each of the types given ie: Crossdresser, Transsexual, Transgender, because each one may have a faucet of the other or may not, depending on the person.  I know of persons that are CD only.  Meaning they get sexual gratification from dressing as a female or male and in that aspect makes them feel feminine. In their outside lives they are of their born gender and the crossdressing is only an aspect of their sexuality. While there are Transgendered ppl that cross dress as part of their RLT or that they live as females/males even tho they are not post op.  Then there are Transsexuals that are post op that are legally female/male, so  in that aspect, are they CD??? Imo, no, because they are now female or male and that is societies norm of how that specific gender should dress.  To me it is the  person using these terms that doesnt use them in the proper context that confuses ppl that do not yet understand what makes each  one different, and how some can be combined depending on where the  individual is at in their  progress of transition, or where they want to be.  Some merely want to stay a CD and there is nothing wrong with that, while there are others that use crossdressing as a part of their  transition into becoming totally female or male.  Only words that bug me or i find insulting are "He She" or "->-bleeped-<-".  They are terms that are generally used in a derogatory fashion. 

Quote from: Julie Marie on April 06, 2010, 03:08:43 PM
This isn't just about you, it's about us.  The term (whatever it may be) would represent a group, which you can or not choose to identify with.

I know it is not about just me.
Technically it's not even about "us" but about what we can do to improve understanding and acceptance.
BUT, for a term to hold any value, it has to have people backing it, and I was offering the reason why "I" would not back it, and would in fact keep from using it at all. I can't speak for anyone else, but I sincerely doubt I'm the only one of this specific reason for not wanting to use this specific term.

Mind you, I think that the problem isn't whether or not any of us agree with the term you choose, but then, I've explained so, repeatedly.

A new word won't allow us a fresh start.
As soon as we explain what we mean by it, the response will be "Oh, you mean you're a ->-bleeped-<-" where applicable.

I'm late to this thread,and apologize for not having read all of the responses.  If this has been mentioned then please just ignore.  Gender Gifted?  I have used it myself, it presents us in a positive light, it doesn't have baggage already attached so we can flesh out the word with our choice of ideas, it doesn't specifically reference one segment of the transgender spectrum.  Or maybe not.

Quote from: Julie Marie on March 27, 2010, 08:02:02 AM
One of the ways discriminated against groups used to minimize prejudice is to formulate new terminology to describe them, even if it's just one word.
So, if you were given the job to come up with a new term for crossdresser, transsexual, transgender... what would it be?

One of the ways...even if its's just one word.
So, if you...what would it be?

Original post. A simple statement and a simple question.
Everyone knows the arguments and complications.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Does it have to be so damn serious?

I still think it's "ataraxid" or nothing.

Al this hullabaloo from people who tend to not like labels. Its telling in its own way.

Frankly it doesn't bother me, away from this forum these terms never get used or enter my head in my daily life.

Quote from: LordKAT on April 07, 2010, 12:19:39 AM
Al this hullabaloo from people who tend to not like labels. Its telling in its own way.

Heh. You have a point.

Quote from: LordKAT on April 07, 2010, 12:19:39 AM
Al this hullabaloo from people who tend to not like labels. Its telling in its own way.

As I said in an earlier post, we live in a world of labels, like it or not.  I don't know anyone who likes labels.  Titles, maybe, but labels, no.

The fact is, this didn't start with us labeling ourselves.  The medical community creates a word and defines it.  Society takes that word and either accepts the definition or makes changes to it so it works for them. 

The words created for those who don't fall within the gender binary have suffered the fate most social taboos do, they are redefined negatively.  And the words intended to be used for medical purposes soon evoke emotions that often lead to prejudice, discrimination and hatred.

This isn't unique to TGs, it has happened through human history and it still happens today.  But there are proven ways to deal with this stigma.  One is using a new word and redefining it.  Transgender is a relatively new word and there was some success in lessening the negative stigma simply by introducing a new word to society and defining it. 

There's no reason why it can't be done again and be just as successful, if not more.  It's a lot easier than changing the minds of billions.

Friend of mine made a comment the other day that feels like it goes here.

When gay became a word for homosexuals, homosexuals weren't any more accepted, gay just became a "bad word".

I'm usually the gloomy gus, but I think you are wrong, miniar.  The term Gay for homosexual never became a "bad" word, at least in US.  Jerry Falwell and his ilk, who were big at the time, couldn't quite tarnish the word and label.  Taking control of the label didn't produce instant acceptance either, I will admit that.  It did give a focal point to gays, who were then able to direct the narrative.  Sure, some people, maybe 15-20%, will ALWAYS hate us.  It is that 60% in the middle that are pliable with the right arguments and words and easily led.  Unfortunately, most people are sheep, looking for the ram at the head of the flock to lead.  Words and labels can be used to make the haters look less like leaders and more like the coo-coo for cocopuffs wackos that they are!

Ataraxid has so much potential to be a bad word.

I've been thinking this issue over, heres some of my (slightly contradictory) thoughts:

The problem with 'transgender man/woman' is that the word puts the majority of the emphasis on what you were, not what you are. It basically says "was once a man" or "was once a woman" instead of stressing what you are NOW.

When people move on from something that they were, they often get the title "ex" or "former" prefacing their old title - i.e. ex-cop, ex-girlfriend, ex-friend, former teacher, former manager, etc. The majority of these have a positive connotation.
Some things do not get an "ex" or "former" applied to them - you don't get ex-murders or ex-rapists. It seems when something is really bad, you're never allowed to move on from it.
The exception to this is ex-convict, which shows that you may have moved on from offending, but still references your bad past.

However I don't think 'ex-man' would help any more than 'trans woman' since it still places the emphasis on what I used to be, which isn't positive.
So how do we refer to people in new roles or positions? New employee? New manager? New person? Or just plain newbie?
As trite as it sounds, 'New Woman' or 'New Man' have far better connotations for me than 'trans woman' (ex man) or 'trans man' (ex woman).
'Neo Woman' or 'Neo Man' might also be an option and it mirrors the proclivity to call post surgical vaginas 'neo vaginas'.

Anyway, those are my current thoughts on the subject.

Quote from: casorce on April 08, 2010, 07:58:04 PM
As trite as it sounds, 'New Woman' or 'New Man' have far better connotations for me than 'trans woman' (ex man) or 'trans man' (ex woman).
'Neo Woman' or 'Neo Man' might also be an option and it mirrors the proclivity to call post surgical vaginas 'neo vaginas'.

Whoa. I'm having a moment of deja vu. I once said, jokingly, that I wanted to be referred to as a "novelty." Dumb joke, but I was combining the prefix "nov" for new with "t" for testosterone and, obliquely, "t" for trans. I also liked the association with "novel," since I read and write a lot.

Playing off Casorce's suggestion, how about Nova Man and Nova Woman? Or is that too Planet of the Apes?

P.S. Regarding "ataraxid," I used to take a medication called Atarax. It made me sorta sleepy.

Quote from: Arch on April 08, 2010, 09:03:14 PM
Playing off Casorce's suggestion, how about Nova Man and Nova Woman?

I have to admit, 'Nova' appeals strongly to my sci-fi inclinations. I have visions of a star exploding and a sparkling entity of light emerging.
At any rate, it removes the emphasis on what the person was and stresses what they are.

Quote from: casorce on April 08, 2010, 09:12:50 PM
I have to admit, 'Nova' appeals strongly to my sci-fi inclinations. I have visions of a star exploding and a sparkling entity of light emerging.
At any rate, it removes the emphasis on what the person was and stresses what they are.

Yeah, I like the way you're going with this. And the astronomical connotation has some interesting possibilities.

Quote from: Arch on April 08, 2010, 09:03:14 PM
P.S. Regarding "ataraxid," I used to take a medication called Atarax. It made me sorta sleepy.

LOL!  Just looked that up......so much for that one? I guess? Sounds like they have it for dogs even, lol.

I like Nova.....
Nova
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

A nova (pl. novae) is a cataclysmic nuclear explosion caused by the accretion of hydrogen onto the surface of a white dwarf star, which ignites and starts nuclear fusion in a runaway manner. Novae are not to be confused with supernovae or luminous red novae.

Luminous Red Novae.....has a ring to it