Quote Originally Posted by Leslie Langford View Post
What I DO dislike intensely, however is when other posters rely on sarcasm, put-downs, name-calling and other such juvenile tactics to try to reinforce their points, rather than debate them on an intellectual basis and let them stand or fall on their own merits.
That is one classic giveaway that someone has run out of arguments. The other would be silence.

However, there are some things that I wish people would get beyond and move on to more substantive ideas. For example, how many times have we heard: "Well, Crossdressers can always retreat and go back to male mode."? This sounds just like (in concept) what bisexuals have heard for decades. The reality is that in the minds of the general public, there is no distinction between Crossdressers, Transgender folks and Transsexuals. In theory, any one of us could be accosted, called out, challenged, belittled, etc. in the same way. Also in theory, there may be no distinction in status if someone decides to press the issue forcefully. People don't stop to ask what you are because they feel they already know, and it wouldn't make any difference anyway. I suspect then, in a given situation, whether you present as female 100% of the time or once in a whatever, the odds of things going sideways may be pretty close. In part, this "retreat" notion may be part of the reason behind the concept of heirarchy.

Previously, there was a lot of discussion here about Heirarchy. Heirarchy exists for 2 reasons. The first is because someone says there is a heirarchy. The second is because someone else agrees that it is so. It takes 2 to tango. Unfortunately, both seem to be covered here.

There is also the suggestion by some that Crossdressers have it "easy", but I would question that. When you're living 2 disparate lives, it would seem to be VERY stressful. Granted, there is no doubt that transition is a difficult and arduous path. But, there is a lot of precedent for it, it is fairly well defined and goes in one direction only. And, in a number of locations there are specific legal protections in place. But, what happens if a previously closeted Crossdresser is outed without their consent? Transitioners expect the possibility of problems with family, employment, etc. Sometimes there is and sometimes there isn't, but these are potential hurdles that everyone has to face. However, for many Crossdressers, there is the constant risk of being found out. And, often when people are closeted it is because they expect strongly negative reactions to their truth. Note that this is not intended to suggest a Better Than/Worse Than situation. But, it should serve as a reminder that where ever you are on the spectrum (Crossdresser, Transgender person in the middle or Transsexual), there are risks, dangers and difficulties associated with all.

We're ALL struggling with SOMETHING and no one has it easy.

To me, if those 3 notions went away, the community As a whole would be much better off.

DeeAnn