Suffer in Silence: Surviving Abuse as a Trans Male

[Allamakee]

Suffer in Silence: Surviving Abuse as a Trans Male
CarnalNation.com (h/t Feministing)
by Asher Bauer
January 11, 2010

http://carnalnation.com/content/44367/1067/suffer-silence-surviving-abuse-trans-male

It's important for me to be able to talk about the fact that I was living as female and presenting as female when it happened, and yet experienced the emotional fallout as a man. And it's difficult to find a space where I can do that.

The real kicker for me is people who assume that being raped somehow "made" me trans. Any time I disclose either my history of abuse or my gender status I open myself up to ugly attacks. When I disclose both at once, my chances of being ridiculed and misunderstood are squared. Two close male family members have confronted me to ask whether my "gender trouble" was caused by the assault. So did a certain well-known sex educator who frankly should have known better.