its interesting paula
i think you fall into the we are all transgender/continuum trap..i know you earlier talked about it.
people talk about surgical status because they assume there is some kind hierarchy and continuum...that we are just guys that wanted to girls...and that we went all the way.....i know and you know this ain't right...

people say it like its GOOD to be simplistic to lump everybody together..they like self identification as a unalienable right but not neccessarily for others.
.Deann thinks its not worth the bother lorileah thinks i dont like transgendered people..others conflate supporting each other with a label (here's a label..people...we should support each other)
others somehow argue that labeling a diverse group of people as one thing expresses diversity..

if you'd just say "im transsexual" that should be it... A transsexual is a woman regardless of social or economic status...regardless of out or stealth..passing or not...and especially surgery hrt or not... some of us can't do HRT or surgery for health reasons for example...or perhaps just being frozen and terrified...some of us have not reached the stage where their life falls apart in devastating gender dysphoria (yet)... those people are all forced to accept this term that misidentifies and disbeleives them
its unneccesary

because people lump us all together things like surgical status and appearance end up being thrown into the idea of a continuum and the intellectual laziness of using the word transgender to label a very diverse group of people becomes apparent and problematic...because people look at the gender umbrella to be about flowing between or levels of gender you are faced with the assumption that how much you do to "be" female puts you on the continuum..you didn't go all the way?? why not?? so are you less female?? it stinks..its ridiculous...

that's why i reject it... (again i realize i'm kind of stuck with it for various reasons)


I actually think Reine has a good point up to the point of private things like surgery..
it really is what you do that matters... but what you do is really HOW YOU LIVE not what medical procedures you did..

even though i am hopped up on this point it only impacts me intellectualy...if people like the term i have to live with it...however i think it brings these moments into your life more than helps you..

i "went all the way".....and in the community of people here i get told i'm in some kind of hierarchy where i'm trannier than thou for talking about it...and my response is no i'm not in your peer group.
I'm TS...don't worry about it..i'm a woman..we both wear panties and that's cool..nothing to see here...
...and i get back ..no you have to accept that you are transgendered and then they call me trannier than thou for asserting my identity!!!!
well i am certainly more transsexual than them LOL...but nobody can be more transgendered, especially when they are not at all

anyway...apparently i'm stuck with the term transgendered and the idea that i am a man that decided to change into a woman...luckily that doesnt really enter my life except here and when i talk publicly...
i have got the questions and i calmly explain...i get more flak for it here than i get in the real world where it actually matters.