Are you a Transgenderist?

[Elizabeth]

Hi VickyCD,

I didn't mean to confuse transgenderist with transcendentalist. Just a coincedence. I just feel that whether I am a crossdresser, transgenderist, or transexual is totally irrelevant because we are all human beings. We all have the need to be loved and accepted. And we are all equal in this regard.

The bottom line is, we all feel diferently than society says we should. We are all supporting each other, although I personally feel I get more than I give. I guess that is because I see how much others, like yourself, are giving. No one has asked me to define myself as a condition of support, so I don't see the rifts among the transgendered community that I have been told about. I am sure in the future I will, if I am looking for it. I just don't want or need to be looking for it.

Love always,
Elizabeth

[CJ]

Hi all,

I'm glad you enjoy the article. Rebecca and Elizabeth (amongst others--myself included) bring up a good point, in that, labels, and the need to pigeonhole, matter little, in the end. While this may be true--and I, for one, believe it is--Ms. Israel's contention is that, for the medical community, the distinctions these labels allow are important.

Because there is not an overabundance of clinical literature portraying the specialized needs and issues transgenderists face, frequently these people cannot locate or are turned away from medical, surgical and psychological services. Those given incorrect information suffer needlessly and are often at risk. For example, those believing they are crossdressers and ineligible for professional services frequently end up self-prescribing, or seeking black market hormones and substandard cosmetic surgeries. Others, believing they are transsexuals, mistakenly proceed with a full-time transition or undergo Genital Reassignment Surgery. As a result these persons end up making huge sacrifices in order to validate themselves, and those who go through with genital reassignment may find themselves regretting having done so for the remainder of their lives. Recognition by professionals and the transgender community of transgenderist needs can help reduce these types of incidents.

I thought that, maybe, this is the most important point she makes. In this regard, I agree with her attempt to define what a "transgenderist" might be, as opposed to transsexuals (for whom the harmony of body and soul is of paramount importance) or crossdressers (for whom the clothing and accessories that will allow them to express their femininity are more important). I do think there are some people, the "in-betweeners," who may eventually benefit from the distinction, as far as access to therapy and medical treatment is concerned (for example, a man who may wish to feminize his body through hormones but has no intention of ever transitioning).

I'm glad to see the responses, here. This is very interesting. Keep the comments coming, gals!

Love,
CJ

[Rebecca]

Hi CJ,

A very good point, I'm sat at the computer at half 1 in the morning with ~D~ fast asleep next to me, feeling reasonably safe. I have this forum and a wealth of information available, my confidence is slowly building week by week and I'm beginning to realize I know more about myself than the average doctor would. Educating the proffessionals to the various varieties we come in could only help people less fortunate than myself.

So, am I a transgenderist ? I must be pretty close, as I would reshape my body a little if I dared. Doubt that will ever happen, but then again ~D~ often says a lot of strange things have happened to me... she's right... I wouldn't have it any other way

Love
Rebecca xxx

[Loretta Ann]

CJ,

I am grateful for your post, labels are necessary for me to better understand others. There needs to be some method of presenting an accurate (as possible) picture when you are describing some thing, and I know of no other way to do that.

I have had my eyes opened as a result of your post, this has helped me to see, understand, and appreciate some of the differences in others here.

Thank you.

[Virginia]

First, I agree with Elizabeth about "our" use of label on each other, but it does seem necessary for medical reasons.
After having read a lot about "my condition" and reading the plight of many of my sisters here, I noticed that not everyone of my sisters approached our "lifestyle" the same way. So I surmized that even within our own "world" we have our differences. Those who dress a litlle, those who dress a lot, those who dress and go out with no regard to "passing", those who try very hard to pass, the closeted, those who have come out to SO and those who have not. Then those who have expressed a mental approach/attitude/alteration in mind set or manner of thinking. Taking the mental/phychological aspect and intermingling it with the different "those who" and you definitely end up with a rather wide variety of methods of expression in dealing with crossdressing. Some do not co-mingle the physical with the mental/psychological (well perhaps not beyond any sexual gratification derived). Some of my sisters have expressed already in this tread that they are simply crossdresser and nothing more. Well Girls, that's still quite an accomplishment that you are dealing with.
As for me/Deborah, I must fit the definition of the transgenderist, because Deborah has taken me, dressing even in male mode, considering things from a feminine aspect. I feel that I actually transistioned too fast, kinda like a puzzle, I have all the pieces now, they are laid out in front of me and I am slowly putting the picture together. I hardly ever cried before, but some of you have had me bawlling like a baby and I may not have even had a skirt on.
Again, like Elizabeth, I feel I have gotten more than I have given, but the bottom line is YOU GIRLS RULE!!!!!!!!!
Loce ya,
Deborah

[Sally]

We do live in a label orientated world and life would be very difficult without labels. I have always said that if we don't give ourself a label for identification purposes, which is acceptable and sits comfortable with us, then others will label us with something which is unflattering or offensive, such as the gay community suffered over many years.

Individually we all know best how we feel and what best describes us and really there's no need to waste our lives away worrying about how others judge us. Other peoples thoughts, feelings and opinions say more about them than it does about anyone else, people who unnecessarily waste their time judging others usually fall into the trap of thinking judging people is a right and normal practice, but those types of people really need to get a life.

One thing which I do not agree with is when people say I live an alternative lifestyle. There is sufficient scientific research nowadays to suggest that gender identity is innate. Nobody chooses how they are born, we may have choices as to how we manage our condition but this in itself is not indictative of a psychological disorder or immoral lifestyle. Too many people in the community judge us using common negative sterotypes, whereas, mostly all the people I know in the TG community, (and it's a great number), they are all hardworking, law abiding men and women who hold down responsible jobs, pay their taxes, own their own homes, are faithful to their partner, rear their children responsibly etc etc, yet others still label them as living alternative life styles. I live as to how I believe I was meant to live, if I chose to live a different life then maybe I could say then that I was living an alternative life to how it was meant to be.

If we live a life other than one which makes us happy then that's not only going to make us unhappy, it also spreads to those close to us, so it's important for people to try as best their personal circumstances will allow, to try and live and dress as they need to. I've been comfortable for nearly 20 years with the umbrella term of 'Transgender' as it covers all from CD to TS and any other gender expressions between. The medics and psycs these days officially list me as an inoperable transsexual, but I find it much easier and more comfortable if the occaison ever arises to simply say to someone that I'm transgendered, it's quite simple to explain away that I cross both genders rather than the long complicated explanation which is needed to cover 'inoperable transsexual'.

I realise it's not always possible for everybody, but my greatest hope is that as many people as possible can overcome their fear, ignore what other's may label them or say and try to live their life in the way which makes them happiest, we all deserve that, it's our birthright, the same as applies to every other person born into this world, irrespective of their sex, gender, race, colour, religion, culture etc. If more people looked for the good in others and saw things for how they are and not how they think they should be, then the world would be a far better place.

Kind Regards.

Sally.

[Beauty]

Hello,

The article was a HUGE relief for me. Even with another label . I talked with CJ and gave her virtual hugs yesterday morning for posting the article. It felt kind of cool for those who read the whole thing to know a little bit more about me.

There are some who just won't believe that I'm not going to transition one day and this article helped me so much.

I am interested to see how many people feel they are CD'rs and thus far it's been very interesting to read the results. I feel I am forever a CD'r because that's what I was raised as (by myself naturally). I just also feel that I want to make my body more in line with my mind's eye. I've taken the steps to have facial hair removal. I am considering FFS and may even do more, but I will not transition.

I just don't have any desire to live my life as a woman. There are two kinds of TG'ists (according to the article). I'm the kind who lives his daily life as a guy. I like being a guy. Often because I wear comfy clothing, no longer have facial hair, shave all body hair, and under dress, I feel I'm expressing myself already. So the need to CD fully isn't as paramount to me to feel femme. In the "When was the last time you dressed?" thread it seems lots of us feel that way TG'ists or not. The difference with me is I'm seeking changes to my body similar to a TS.

I also do NOT have a fascination with men. That's a huge buzzkill for me (men are I mean). I'm as much of a guy as anyone when it comes to the way women make me feel.

Ok, I've said more than I wanted to. I hope I've been a vocal about the changes I've wanted all along and I haven't been hiding anything about my development.

Thanks for reading this.

Beauty

[CJ]

Hi all,

Beauty:

Vocal? You? Perish the thought, O Shy One!

I'm glad you let us in a little more into how you see yourself. Maybe, this will encourage others who haven't already done so to do the same. I'm just thrilled ("delighted" would be a better word, I think) to see the wonderful variety of individuals here, in this forum. As was mentioned elsewhere (I don't remember who by), we are no less varied a "sub-culture" as is the population at large. I find it just amazing that we can come together here, attracted by what is perhaps the one thing we have in common--the desire to be--and exchange with, and learn from, each other in a way that puts the world "out there" to shame.

I'll echo Deborah, here: You girls rule!

Love,
CJ

[Marda]

Marda > see *an.drog.y.nous*
1: having the characteristics of both male and female
***
MardaSpeak for .................. an.drog.y.nous

Male........................................Blue
Female...................................Red
Androgynous.........................Green


MardaSpeak for Marda........Green.

/Marda

[ChristineRenee]

I consider myself transgendered. I have never felt like a man sexually internally, but like a female. However, I have never been interested in men sexually so when dressed en femme I guess I would be a male lesbian technically. I am totally hetrosexual when in male mode. I have no desire for SRS because I don't feel that I think, act, or have ever felt that I was a total female born into a male body. It is really just the sexual side of me that is female. I am on hormone therapy, under my doctor's care, because I would like to reshape the exterior a little bit to coincide better with how I feel about myself internally.

Hope I made some semblance of sense here, but that is what I am about.


Christine

[Anita]

Hi All--
If labels are used in an attempt to limit people, then I don't care for them, either.

But for me growing up, the discovery that there were labels that actually fit me was a revelation. I guess that's why I welcome it when I see what I think is a more precise definition of who I am.

As Sally pointed out, if you don't take some time to come up with labels, then others will do it for you.

I see now that I had extreme doses of this when I was a child, and as a teen. Other people seemed to think they knew who I was, or should be, and I didn't feel like I had any say in it at all. (Why this was true baffles me, sitting here, but that's how it felt at the time.)

The ability to label, in a precise way, seems to be to be an incredible gift!
Believe me. I know it can be misused, and probably that's why many of us on here talk so negatively about it.

But I see the glass as half-full. To come up with a clear definition of who I might be at any given time is a joy to me. Doesn't mean I have to go around calling myself a "whatever," but it does mean I've given it some thought, and I'm clear about it for myself.

And it's really good if me and the outside world both agree on the label, but that doesn't always happen !
Love,
Anita

[Marda]

Hi Girls
Hmmmmm ... very interesting

I'm Kurious to know what we'll think about this Thread / Notion ... say ... 1000 Earth years from today

... a LightYear is getting more toward the "Mid Term" Timelines ...
... and I reckon it's pretty safe to say "Longer Term" konsiderations are a teeney bit "premature" for the time being ?

Love / Marda

[Julie M.]

Interesting article.

At first I thought "no I'm not a transgenderist" then as I read I thought "well maybe I am". The label or categorization ti me only matters when receiving medical or emotional help. The medical professional needs to know how to treat you.

What I don't get is the acceptance part, or lack of it, by others inside our world. Crossdressers and transsexuals, and everyone in between should rally around each other and not only accept but happily support the rest of us no matter what label they have been given.

I have no fear of being snubbed by anyone in our world because I have never experienced it. I can't even imagine it exists. I have however run into others who on the outside seem just like me but when I try to communicate with them I get a very distant response from them. I have passed that off as we can't click with everyone but I suppose it's possible they are snubbing me because of a label they applied to me.

I am not just a crossdresser but I don't see myself as a transsexual. I use the term transgender because as it was described to me I have one foot in both camps. This is with me 24/7 and no dress up time makes it go away after it's over.

After Friday's outing I stayed en femme until about 5PM Saturday. It was wonderful and I didn't want it to end. But I have others to consider.

I'd love to finish this but work calls,

Julie

[Barbara]

Maybe it's just me, but,...

Y'know that old trick where the magician's assistant puts him in handcuffs, in a sack, in a chained trunk, behind a curtain, then she counts 1-2-3 and, on 3, she closes the curtain and instantly HE emerges (and we discover HER in the cuffs/sack/trunk)?

Somehow, "transgenderist" sounds to me like someone who can do that without an assistant.

[CJ]

It does, doesn't it?

CJ