I'd have to agree with mostly everyone in here -- that I am a woman.

I am a transsexual woman because I am female despite my male genitals, my XY chromosomes, and the way I was brought up.

Quote from: Melissa on April 18, 2007, 10:53:30 AM

Quote from: rhonda13000 on April 18, 2007, 05:00:30 AM

Quote from: Robbie on April 17, 2007, 08:17:52 PM
The part of me that fits into transsexualism is the part that has to unlearn all the crap about being a man that was crammed down my throat from the time I was born. 

I like that. It is so true.

Hmm, interesting.  For the most part, that stuff never really stuck while being raised.  For the most part, I lived in a pretty androgynous manner (as comfortable as I felt living as a guy) and pretty much engaged only in behavior and activities that are acceptable for both genders.  For instance, I never liked sports, but some guys don't and some girls do.  I did a lot of reading, which is done by both genders.  My interests may have strayed a bit on the technical side for most girls, but now I am just a techie girl and still do programming professionally.  Unfortunately it can get a bit lonely working with a group of people that are 95% men.  Oh well, at least their nice to me. 

Given the near total absence of conviction in functioning as a 'pseudo-male' in my life, I never adopted "strongly" male traits and attributes.

I had to function in life somehow notwithstanding my severe confusion and discomfort in that role, so I adopted more or less, 'marginally male' characteristics. After a while, these became integrated into the personality and psyche where they became automatic and nominal.

Still, I was never comfortable nor convicted in functioning in that gender role.

The 'unlearning' of these is indeed apt, for they long ago became ingrained and integrated into the self and the presentation. It takes a while to throw off things like this and I think that to differing degrees, this is one common task that we all face in the courses of our respective journeys.

Quote from: Sarah Louise on April 18, 2007, 01:18:23 PM
I'm not transsexual.  That is only a term, one assigned by shrinks, the medical society, the ones who want to control our lives.

I am a woman, I always have been and always will be.  I can't help what doctors put on my birth certificate, I only know who I am in my heart, life,  mind and the one who will be listed on my death certificate.

Sarah L.

A girl after  my own heart!      

tink

Quote
Why are you transsexual? what makes [you] transsexual? got it?

I find these questions very difficult to answer. And reading these posts I think I am not alone in finding it difficult to codify what being a transsexual is.

I'm seeing two therapists at the moment. One for my TG issues and one for marriage issues. My TG therapist is a woman and my marriage therapist is a man. Its interesting that my female therapist talks about feelings and asks how I feel about my TG issue and my male therapist tried to codify things for me and tell my why I feel the way I do.

What's my point? I think I have a hard time finding an answer to these questions because I am a woman and not a man.

Got it?

So WAS it a trick question? Do I get a prize?

Debbie

Quote from: rhonda13000 on April 18, 2007, 06:19:29 PM

Quote from: Robbie on April 17, 2007, 08:17:52 PM
The part of me that fits into transsexualism is the part that has to unlearn all the crap about being a man that was crammed down my throat from the time I was born. 

Still, I was never comfortable nor convicted in functioning in that gender role.

The 'unlearning' of these is indeed apt, for they long ago became ingrained and integrated into the self and the presentation. It takes a while to throw off things like this and I think that to differing degrees, this is one common task that we all face in the courses of our respective journeys.[/color][/font][/size][/i]

When I was growing up I want to be just like my dad. I wished to god everyday to make it all stop.  I just wanted to be his son. So I learned to be his son.  I would block my feelings out so much and over compensate so he would be proud of his only son.  That is why I have to unlearn all the "male" stuff.  I guess I knew one day I would disappoint him.  I use to dream at eight or nine about the day I would be able to leave and fix myself.

Because I could never be anything else besides a woman.

Quote from: debbiej on April 18, 2007, 07:55:55 PM

Quote
Why are you transsexual? what makes [you] transsexual? got it?

I find these questions very difficult to answer. And reading these posts I think I am not alone in finding it difficult to codify what being a transsexual is.

I'm seeing two therapists at the moment. One for my TG issues and one for marriage issues. My TG therapist is a woman and my marriage therapist is a man. Its interesting that my female therapist talks about feelings and asks how I feel about my TG issue and my male therapist tried to codify things for me and tell my why I feel the way I do.

What's my point? I think I have a hard time finding an answer to these questions because I am a woman and not a man.

Got it?

So WAS it a trick question? Do I get a prize?

Debbie

[[sighs]] it wasnt a trick question.   i'd imagine you're in therapy because of your gender issues, correct? what was your answer when your therapist asked you "debbie, why do you think you are transsexual? why do you think you are a woman?"