This is hard to explain, but: when I say girly-girl, I'm not talking about behaviour, I'm talking about look. I feel very out on a limb because I would much rather end up looking like Fox than like any of the trans women on the show, who are all doing the long hair, makeup, dresses, eyelashes etc. thing that just isn't me (and because of which I feel very marginalised in my trans women support group).

I don't have any problem with other people being who they are, but I'm already getting a lot of stick for being who I am (from other trans women, and from The System, which can't hide its puzzlement that I'm female but don't want to look femme), and I feel that this show simply reinforces the public view that all trans women want to look a certain way, and what does that make me?

I'll get over it - it's early days for me.

I think its more to do with the fact that 3/4 of the mtfs on the show are in their early 20s iirc, if you have a look at the majority of early 20 cis-women in the uk then its hardly surprising that these girls want to have the long hair/dresses/eyelashes, theres a lot of preassure on young women be they trans or not to conform to certain stereotypes. If thats not the sort of woman you are and you dont need to conform to these stereotypes to feel good about yourself then congratulations but sadly society isnt very accomadating to young butch women, trans or not, so it should be no surprise how the young women on the show present themselves.

A second point i just thought of is that the trans women who have marginalised you have probably done so out of a sub-conscious self preservation instinct. With the emotional strains of transition and the constant striving to achieve social accpetance i think a lot of trans women will see a less girly girly trans women as a possible threaght to the validity of their own transitions? 

Oh, for sure, I know they're being edgy with me because they're feeling insecure themselves, I'm not surprised at this - it's just hard being the minority within the minority, I could do with some more Amazonian trans women friends locally! And I'm tired of them assuming I don't dress the way they do, or wear makeup, because of "lack of confidence" rather than lack of desire .

But anyway, enough about me. I agree also that most of the crew on this show are under 30 (the men too) and that's significant in their behaviour and choices. And inevitable, given that TV shows are made for entertainment - they'd never have made a series like this about a bunch of 50-year old calm folks who didn't like getting drunk etc. - and I still think it's great that this is on the telly, because it is a step towards making people out there realise this is normal, we are normal.

Its definately the first program i have seen about trans folk that hasnt offended me

Tears tiaras and transexuals anyone?

Quote from: Padma on November 21, 2011, 04:33:58 AM
I'm female but don't want to look femme
what does that make me?

The answer to your question is unique, that's a special thing to be in this crazy world where every other woman wants to look like Jordan.

Eh, I'm getting over it now - I had to be honest and admit to myself that the main thing that was getting to me is that they probably wouldn't want me in their gang . I need my own gang - Suzi Quatro can join if she's good .

Thanks for the youtube links, I just watched it. The people all seemed nice enough, but if I had taken a drink for every trans stereotype highlighted in this show, I'd be passed out on the floor by now. 
Z

@Padma: How about we both apply for the next series (if there is one) and demand the andro voices be heard?

Well, they've got my details on record from when I tried the first time - and I'll be healing up from surgery by then with any luck ^_^

I do think that this was well done, though - the producers interviewed loads of us over the phone beforehand and were aiming for a positive coverage of trans-folk, while still highlighting the issues we face, so in that way I feel they've succeeded

They're obviously valuing "colour" over any grey areas . But it's TV, it's as I'd expect it to be.

Well, Donna gets by just fine and she said from the off that she sees herself as a third gender, so there's hope

On a side note, she's now my official heroine

Yeah, but they didn't pick anyone who wants to look androgynous . It's still very much about boy<-->girl appearance. And fair enough, given that the majority of folk under the transsexual umbrella (since that's the term they're using) do seem to want that, and this show is not intended to be an in-depth study.

In my opinion this series is the best that has ever been done covering Transsexuals, as i have found that most in the past have wanted to make TS's seem like some kind of circus freaks and some of the people themselves have been over the top in your face girly types and as most of the general public like to label transgender folk with what they have seen on television, i find it somewhat annoying when im seen as being like them.

In this series you have what seems to be just 5 normal transsexuals (dont know if Donna should classed as TS as she has made it clear she has no itention of getting rid of her male member) who just want to get on and be treated as male and females. Have found it to be somewhat compulsive viewing, think Drew deserves a medal for keep on getting up from so many knock backs from employment and as for Donna, well if there is anybody out there who spends all their life worrying about what everybody thinks about them, then they should check this girl out as she struts her stuff without a care in the world and is a right box of fireworks.

Sent Channel 4 an email last week saying just how much i have enjoyed this series as it has portrayed TS's in a totally different light

I've just watched the 3rd ep, and realised why the series has been bugging me. I'm just jealous - I'm feeling quite isolated on my journey (a real lack of local sympatico trans people), and they've all got a lot of support from each other. Now that I've let that cat out of the bag, I'm feeling really moved by the series.

Quote from: Padma on November 24, 2011, 04:00:42 AM
I've just watched the 3rd ep, and realised why the series has been bugging me. I'm just jealous - I'm feeling quite isolated on my journey (a real lack of local sympatico trans people), and they've all got a lot of support from each other. Now that I've let that cat out of the bag, I'm feeling really moved by the series.

That's actually one of the reasons this came about in the first place - to get a group of people together who might not have met many/any other trans-folk before, and for them to support each other.

Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?

Quote from: Nemo on November 24, 2011, 02:01:40 PM
That's actually one of the reasons this came about in the first place - to get a group of people together who might not have met many/any other trans-folk before, and for them to support each other.

Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?

Your will-be-ex support group leader isn't someone to do with Transbareall by any chance? :p If so, I 'know' one of the lead guys as they are at my transmenscotland group (only been to one meeting so far)

anyway, I like 'My transexual Summer' but it's been awkward in class hearing people discuss it and not know that they're talking about people like me. I scuttle away stealthily if i hear anyone talk about it just incase I hear somehting unfavourable!

I did want to punch the wedding shop witches though. Very very ignorant and unashamedly so. Not impressed with them at all 

I'm watching the first episode now. So glad that the narration uses the proper pronouns.

Though I am currently suffering a serious fit of the jelly.

Quote from: Nemo on November 24, 2011, 02:01:40 PM
Actually, even if there isn't another - my will-be-ex support group leader runs a series of retreats that work similar to this series. They started off being guys-only, but he's thinking about a mixed (MTFs and FTMs) retreat in the near future - interested?

Hells, yeah. Whereabouts in what country?

Initially I had no intention in watching this, as I knew Id get jealous seeing other ftms who may have had "an easier time" getting treatment, or that look more masculine than me (as insecure as that sounds... :/ ), but my girlfriend watched and suggested I do. Now Im hooked, I dont watch t.v often, but I really enjoy it. As has been mentioned already,  the portrayal of them all is positive. They are all normal, likeable, natural and genuine.  I am glad I have started watching it.

It's the best show I've seen! I was a bit put off at first by the reality show format, but I forgot all about it as soon as I started watching. It's so wonderful to see a television programme with whole human beings instead of just patients.