Does anyone else find transsexual/transgender/etc. weird?

[easyroad]

I didn't say they were gross, I said it was bizarre. And when did I treat a group of people like shit? Quit whining.

Yes, because calling a group of people "bizarre" is not at all treating them like shit... are you being serious?

Look, you can't come in, say that a group of people weirds you out, and then expect others to not hate you because of it. You just portrayed yourself as an ignorant douche - sorry, but it's a fact. You may call it "politically correct" all you want, but I'd say it's more accurately described as "good manners": if you want people to like you, don't talk shit about others. Some thoughts are best kept to yourself.

Also, you should work on your transgender issues if you want to avoid further embarassment in the future. It's only an advice, of course, you can take it or leave it.

 

[LikesDudes2]

Yes, because calling a group of people "bizarre" is not at all treating them like shit... are you being serious?

Look, you can't come in, say that a group of people weirds you out, and then expect others to not hate you because of it. You just portrayed yourself as an ignorant douche - sorry, but it's a fact. You may call it "politically correct" all you want, but I'd say it's more accurately described as "good manners": if you want people to like you, don't talk shit about others. Some thoughts are best kept to yourself.

Also, you should work on your transgender issues if you want to avoid further embarassment in the future. It's only an advice, of course, you can take it or leave it.

I'm going to opt to leave your advice. You seem like a huge, uptight, tool.

 

[bankside]

I'm more concerned why anyone would say "I felt I could never be myself" until they had implants and surgery and lessons to rehearse how to "pass" at being themselves.

Everyone who woke up this morning is being themselves.

I have a lot of unanswered questions about the advice given to and the dialogue around transsexualism because I think a lot of it might be rooted in outdated identity politics rather than medical necessity. I think we need less adherence to socially enforced gender roles, not a binary choice between only two gender roles.

The worst thing, and the most common thing, I've ever heard about gender is the idea of "the opposite sex." The sexes are not opposite, and they shouldn't define us, or redefine us, or reclaim us, or let us be reborn.

If you're a woman born with a penis, be proud of it. If you're a man born with boobs, enjoy them. I'm not a big believer in cosmetic surgery, and even less a believer that someone has to have surgery as a precondition for being themselves.

 

[whatdidyousay]

I don't find anything weird about the feelings of transgendered people. It's not that hard to empathize with if you really think about something in your own life that feels off or wrong, something you so would change if you could. You don't have to be transgendered to feel like something about your life or yourself doesn't fit with who you truly feel like, or look like. I just have never had a problem understanding just about anything other people go through. Not much in the way of feelings is weird to me.

When it comes to how a trans man or woman might look, well yeah if the transition isn't convincing it does look strange. I don't find most cross dressers attractive and sometimes a trans woman or man can put a lot of work into becoming what they feel is their true sex and still look like an awkward cross dresser. But that's just a visual preference on my part and it doesn't say jack shit about who the person is inside.

As far as porn I am soooo not into "chicks with dicks". I tried looking at it like I try to look at most stuff and it is stomach turning. There ain't a damn thing appealing about some stiff ass fake tits, a cock, an a five o'clock shadow to me! Sorry.

 

[easyroad]

After reading other posts where people shared their views on transgenders, I decided that maybe I should share mine...

From what I understand, being transgender is not just an aesthetic choice, it's a matter of identity. They actually feel like they were "born in the wrong body" and it makes them feel out of place all the time. It's not like a gay man that woke up one day and decided he would go one step further from his drag costume, it's a deeper issue. And there are enough people in the same situation for us to conclude that it exists and that they should be respected.

Someone mentioned that "gender roles are a construct of society" and that's true, but reading about transgenders made me believe that there's also a "gender identity" in all of us.

For example: there were times when I thought I'd make a kick-ass girl, but it never went beyond that. I strongly identify myself as a male and wouldn't change that if given the choice. Also, in video games when you could choose the gender of the character you control, I'd flirt with the idea of choosing the girl... but I never went through with it. It felt wrong. Games where the main character is a girl are a different story, but when I can build my own avatar, I'm a male through and through.

 

[whatdidyousay]

For example: there were times when I thought I'd make a kick-ass girl, but it never went beyond that. I strongly identify myself as a male and wouldn't change that if given the choice. Also, in video games when you could choose the gender of the character you control, I'd flirt with the idea of choosing the girl... but I never went through with it. It felt wrong. Games where the main character is a girl are a different story, but when I can build my own avatar, I'm a male through and through.

That's funny cuz I played a MMORPG years ago, Star Wars Galaxies! Before I ever made my own avatar I made one for my sister, a girl character. We put so much time into her and me trying to help her learn the ropes that when she dropped the character less than a week later I just stuck with it. I had created a couple other male characters but never got around to using them.

I totally loved my avatar afterawhile but it WAS a strange feeling at first. I mean I've played female characters in games, hell I love me some Chun Li, but it's totally not the same thing. I later on found out that over half of the female avatars in MMOs are played by men.

 

[easyroad]

That's funny cuz I played a MMORPG years ago, Star Wars Galaxies! Before I ever made my own avatar I made one for my sister, a girl character. We put so much time into her and me trying to help her learn the ropes that when she dropped the character less than a week later I just stuck with it. I had created a couple other male characters but never got around to using them.

I totally loved my avatar afterawhile but it WAS a strange feeling at first. I mean I've played female characters in games, hell I love me some Chun Li, but it's totally not the same thing. I later on found out that over half of the female avatars in MMOs are played by men.

Well, your case is understandable, when you spend so long creating a character, you can't help but bond with it! lol

But what you said about female avatars in MMOs being played by men is very true. I think those are players that can detach their selves from their characters. Similar to those who put ridiculous names in their characters, like "PENIS", or something... Me, I can't help putting my self in my avatar: it needs to be male and it needs to bear my name.

 

[self inflicted]

Hmmm... I find them really, really sexually creepy and unatractive, but that's something extremely personal that I don't go spreading off from within in my social life. I know some and there's really nothing special on the way I move with transexuals in life.

 

[stevexxx]

Well, your case is understandable, when you spend so long creating a character, you can't help but bond with it! lol

But what you said about female avatars in MMOs being played by men is very true. I think those are players that can detach their selves from their characters. Similar to those who put ridiculous names in their characters, like "PENIS", or something... Me, I can't help putting my self in my avatar: it needs to be male and it needs to bear my name.

on a side note:
there is nothing sexier than a hot chick playing video games.

Back to the topic: i agree with you self inflicted

 

[AlmondMilk]

I'm sure they might find me weird for any number of reasons.

I feel like I'm in the same situation.

Incorrect; as i've just told you, it's a physical birth defect. Sure, being transgendered can screw a person up emotionally, especially with people like you around, but that's mostly caused by society and their families hating, rejecting, bullying and physically harming them. . .just like with homophobia and gay people..

Didn't the early versions of the DSM classify homosexuality as a mental disorder?

They sure have more bravery than most of us and I respect them.

This is very true. They have enough bravery to state who they feel they really are in public despite what others may think.

I don't know. They are different, but I wouldn't shun them away. I haven't met a transexual or transgendered person. But they're people too. As long as what they're doing doesn't hurt themselves or others, I'm fine with it.

 

[innocentbychoice]

I don't think it's weird at all. I've read so much about transgenderism that I can completely understand what they go through and by no means I think they're any different than the rest of us, they're just carrying the cross God gave them just like we are. In our case it is accepting our homosexuality and having to deal with everything that comes with it; in their case is being born in the wrong body and having to deal with that.

Ps: There's A LOT of transmen out there who are really hot, I made a thread about that in the past.

 

[Yves Grey]

I don't find anything weird about the feelings of transgendered people. It's not that hard to empathize with if you really think about something in your own life that feels off or wrong, something you so would change if you could. You don't have to be transgendered to feel like something about your life or yourself doesn't fit with who you truly feel like, or look like. I just have never had a problem understanding just about anything other people go through. Not much in the way of feelings is weird to me.

When it comes to how a trans man or woman might look, well yeah if the transition isn't convincing it does look strange. I don't find most cross dressers attractive and sometimes a trans woman or man can put a lot of work into becoming what they feel is their true sex and still look like an awkward cross dresser. But that's just a visual preference on my part and it doesn't say jack shit about who the person is inside.

As far as porn I am soooo not into "chicks with dicks". I tried looking at it like I try to look at most stuff and it is stomach turning. There ain't a damn thing appealing about some stiff ass fake tits, a cock, an a five o'clock shadow to me! Sorry.

Totally, agreed. Being transgendered--or anything for that matter--unless you willfully harm or oppress others--doesn't detract from your humanity. We all have things we'd like to change about ourselves, usually about our image. As you mention, this is often rooted much deeper than the superficiality of the flesh.

After reading other posts where people shared their views on transgenders, I decided that maybe I should share mine...

From what I understand, being transgender is not just an aesthetic choice, it's a matter of identity. They actually feel like they were "born in the wrong body" and it makes them feel out of place all the time. It's not like a gay man that woke up one day and decided he would go one step further from his drag costume, it's a deeper issue. And there are enough people in the same situation for us to conclude that it exists and that they should be respected.

Someone mentioned that "gender roles are a construct of society" and that's true, but reading about transgenders made me believe that there's also a "gender identity" in all of us.

For example: there were times when I thought I'd make a kick-ass girl, but it never went beyond that. I strongly identify myself as a male and wouldn't change that if given the choice. Also, in video games when you could choose the gender of the character you control, I'd flirt with the idea of choosing the girl... but I never went through with it. It felt wrong. Games where the main character is a girl are a different story, but when I can build my own avatar, I'm a male through and through.

I certainly agree that we each have a gender identity. I think that this is often overlooked or forgotten when there isn't a conflict there that continually draws attention to its presence within us. I believe that it's conflicts, pressure, that brings about the purest and most extensive growth. This I think is the only positive aspect of war.

 

[kooman]

I know a tranny, and shes fucken dope, knew her when she was a man, and yeah, it was a shock when I saw her, but her physical appearance didnt matter to me, cos she is just such an amazing person. Her boobs nor dick define who she is as a person.

 

[alli-berri]

^^^
Nice -- so far, this is the closest thing we've had to an actual TG-person sharing their opinion.

Nice

And I agree.

 

[bankside]

I know a tranny, and shes fucken dope, knew her when she was a man, and yeah, it was a shock when I saw her, but her physical appearance didnt matter to me, cos she is just such an amazing person. Her boobs nor dick define who she is as a person.

Except for a transsexual, having boobs or a dick often does define how they feel about who they are as people!

 

[whatdidyousay]

I know a trans female-to-male. Met her in college when she was known as a woman but in two years she was living as a male. Very cool cat. He dated a friend of mine who didn't know she was born a woman but she stayed with him even after he told her the truth.

 

[PurpleBear]

No, not at all. I don't see how you can ignore the fact that many of the ideas you have about transgender people were in fact applied to queers. Being persecuted for who you are is not something I am fond of, and it's sort of fucking annoying that gay people can call it disgusting and look down upon. You don't have to be into sexually, but who are you to judge someone's sexual preferences, gender identity, etc.?

They are in the same boat as the rest of us queers, only their lives are much more difficult. How much courage and bravery do you think it takes to admit, and live your life out the way they do?

Sexuality, gender, and identity are all very confusing, but no one should be made fun of for what they like if it isn't hurting anyone else.