Autogynephilia, anybody?

[Melissa A.]

I was going to say almost exactly the same things as SamanthaM....

Whatever autogynophelia is, and however anyone feels they relate to it, is fine for any individual. Any discussion of Blanchard, Lawrence, J. Michael Baily("The Man who Would be Queen") and to some extent, Dr. Kenneth Zucker as serious, unbiased researchers, well, that is going too far.. Blanchard uses the term as a springboard to discredit the very existence of those of us who know who we are. Baily conducted most of his "research" in bars frequented by sex workers. Lawrence mystifies me completely, I must say. And CAMH in Ontario, where both Blanchard and Zucker have worked, is basically of the opinion that most transsexuals lie. The conditions they put on those who need to transition are from the dark ages, relatively speaking. It never ceases to amaze me when people who make my condition their job spend the majority of their time completely ignoring how WE feel and live.

Blanchard, Helen Boyd, Janice Raymond, Germaine Greer....All of them are somehow offended, for their own personal reasons, by my existence. And they've made it their life's work to make their "research" fit their biases. They are dangerous people. As I said, however you identify, if you think the term fits you, more power to you. But it's use was coined by Blanchard to make transsexual's lives more difficult. That is why it's been attacked so passionately. We know who we are. And these people refuse to listen to us. To hell with them.

I'm not sure what this is doing in the main, CD section. Maybe the word is something some can relate to. But it's use, and main reason for being, is beyond demeaning and offensive. I can't just walk by and say nothing when I see it, or Blanchard's name. fighting back against this crap is always necessary.

Hugs,

Melissa