[SIZE="2"]I was driving by this somewhat segregated section of the forum today, and I noticed this title, which happened to be on top, visible to all:[/SIZE]
"Does it make you angry (Transmen Only)"
[SIZE="2"]Hmmm...what makes transmen angry? I read the thread, specifically the OP, even though I was apparently forbidden to do so... [/SIZE]
[SIZE="2"]Interesting. I wanted to respond, but I couldn’t. I’m guessing the author of this thread wandered over to my side of the fence, read a few things that were disturbing to that person, and felt the need to discuss the issue at hand with one’s peers. Nothing wrong with that, but why exclude all others from responding, except transmen, I mean? Is this male behavior in action? You know, no girls allowed here at the clubhouse? That bothers me, because I’m feeling a bit guilty. I may be seen as the ring-leader of male-bashing, or a proponent of anti-male behavior, so why not discuss the problem with someone at the source? Please don’t exclude others. This is a discussion forum, and I don’t like to see barriers being thrown up between one section and another – it makes me feel like I’m living in a divided camp, where different types of transgendered people co-mingle only according to the rules. Tear down this wall! Aren’t we all in the minority, in one way or another? Don’t negate meaningful discussion before it has a chance to begin...Originally Posted by DemonicDaughter
It’s only natural that someone who seeks to embrace the feminine would also seek to disassociate oneself with certain types of male behavior. At the same time, I can understand how someone actively turning away from femininity would wish to embrace (or wrestle) with all things masculine. I get it, and I can certainly see how male-bashing would disturb the latter type of crossdresser. Boys will be boys (you hear that all the time), and I’m a boy, pure and simple. Of course, it’s a little more complex than that, but, in my case at least, it’s an ongoing process of discovery – I need an outlet to discuss various points of contention, and this board provides that, along with catharsis. If I’m “putting down” male behavior, I’m trying to do it as gently as possible, avoiding stepping on anyone’s toes, while folding a little humor into the mix. I’m aware of everyone on this site, from administrators to newbies, and I wish to make friends, not enemies. I’ve been around all types of males my whole life, I’m an inveterate observer (a visual artist), so I have plenty of things to talk about. In case you didn’t catch what I said earlier, I am most definitely MALE...
Let me try to redress (an unintentional pun) the balance a bit. I could write glowingly about all the supportive, strong, manly males I have encountered in my life, but that would be largely out of place in the MtF section, where you will most often find me. I guess I can do that here, so I shall. Don’t look at my avatar – think of me as 100% male. I’m doing this for your sake...
My father was a strong influence on me up until his death in 1999. We were very close, but he was hard to get close to. He was very masculine, and he moved in masculine circles. I knew all his friends, in fact I knew more males than females growing up. I had a 6th grade teacher, a real man’s man from Wyoming, who was fantastic – I still think about him all the time. He had me doing all sorts of boy stuff I never knew I could do, like play football, expand my mind about personal discipline (he had me read a book about West Point, for example), and, perhaps most importantly, he got me to stand up and speak in front of the class (I had a speech impediment). I loved the guy, but I never met another one like him. I also worked on a farm with a very masculine guy (the owner) who thought of me as his long-lost son, and we got along splendidly. I did have some excellent male teachers in art school, but, of course, they were a little more towards the center of gender incorporation, and not overtly “manly” as such. Still, they were boyish to a fault, and I loved them for that...
All I’m trying to say is don’t be exclusionist in your thinking, or posting. Why didn’t you come over to the MtF section and plunk your thread down among the protagonists? Were you afraid of gathering responses at odds with your particular take on things? I can understand, but, if you wish to learn why something is taking place, you really should face the music, even though it may be painful to your ears. Boldly going where transmen fear to tread (I know, some of you visit on occasion) is, in itself a form of male behavior. Males by birth will recognize this and welcome you – I don’t speak for all MtF crossdressers, but we do have the ability to adjust our responses according to who we are “talking” to. I am very aware that there are transmen among us, and I’m surprised that others are (or were) unaware of that obvious fact.
You know, if you did some female-bashing over in your neck of the woods, I would get a chuckle out of it. Don’t think for a second that I admire or try to emulate ALL women, OK? I’ve met some doozies in my life, just like everyone else. Men are OK, and I certainly don’t hate all men. If you were offended by something I said, I apologize – you aren’t the first person who has called me on this, you know. I’m acutely aware of everything I write, and I think about every word before I submit something. At heart, I’m just trying to find kindred spirits among the panoply of human (alternative) existence represented on this site. Until places like this came along, I was very lonely. As I said before, my father, a stabilizing male influence, has been absent for eleven years. I loved him, and I miss him – without him I have no male presence in my life. Since I am his surviving male representative, I shall now emulate him by extending my hand in friendship to you, and all other transmen on this site. I’m sorry my handshake is not as strong as my father’s, but consider the source...
Sincerely,
Frédérique (you can call me Freddy)
PS – I’m sorry for the length of this message. I was going to send it as a PM, but I thought it would be more useful as a new thread...[/SIZE]