Transgender issues

Jun 28 21:19 UTC 1999

This item is for discussing transgender issues.  Not just for people who feel
they were born into the wrong sex body, but for all of us.  Are there ways
in which you feel you fit better into the opposite mold?  Do you have
interests or talents that are not expected of your sex (taxi driving for
women, artistic talent for men, or whatever)?  Do you have a personality that
you could better express if you were the opposite sex?  Do you ever wish
people would treat you as the opposite sex gets treated?  If you had a choice
of which sex body to be reborn into, would it be the same one you have now?
Do you sometimes feel that you have to act a certain way because it is
expected of you due to your chromosomes, but would rather not?  I am
particularly interested in whether bisexual people act much differently
depending on which sex they are with?  Would a bi woman act more 'manly' when
with a woman? 

response 2 of 54:

Jun 29 21:37 UTC 1999

We have an interesting society that is continually trying to change and 
reinvent itself.  It is easier than ever before to challenge the gender 
roles placed on us by the established rules of that society-- some roles 
that are very strong and firmly entrenched.  Yet some say we in the U.S. 
lead the world in feminist causes.  We're probably the only nation as 
well that started a men's movement that questioned modern roles of man.

It is probably the most difficult for those who are transgendered/
transsexual since they have made a change, or are in the process of 
making a change to their biological bodies to better fit their inner 
selves.  The transitional process is probably the hardest, since our 
society doesn't have a traditional role for them.

Transgendered people are also hit hard by violence, or "hate crimes."  
Most assailants are heterosexual men, if I remember right.

I think Sindi is raising some good issues: perhaps someday our society 
will come to the point where social roles will be decided individually 
rather than by consensus, and gender distinction will be de-emphasized.  
Or perhaps the opposite will happen..

response 4 of 54:

Jun 30 21:36 UTC 1999

resp:3  Well, of course, I would bet it's because it is sooo expensive 
and the surgery is practiced mostly in Sweden.  I doubt that many have 
the resources to cover it; for insurance to foot the bill, they must 
have a psychiatrist explain that a sex change would be in the best 
interest of mental health for the person.  Even the hormones are 
outrageously expensive, and hormonal therapy has to be given first.

I only saw one transgendered person in my hometown.  I guessed the 
person was taking hormones, since the person gradually developed some 
curves and breasts (transgendered biological male).  I'd seen this 
person on the bus sometimes, and my homophobic assistant manager at the 
Sbarro's Italian Eatery I worked at pointed out that the person worked 
at the optical store nearby the mall food court we were located in.  
This is why I say I think transgendered people are suffering more stigma 
than the glb folk; it's harder to blend in.