I Would'a Thought This Went Without Saying, but...

[bcholmes]

Y'know, if you've had a really deep ponder, and you've considered the question of trans experience from all possible angles, and rationally weighed all the implications before you've arrived at your considered opinion, and yet you're not trans and you've never known an actual trans person with whom you can have deep, heartfelt discussions... well... maybe there are elements of the experience you've overlooked. Just sayin'.

Comments

[herbmcsidhe.livejournal.com]

Ya think?

[angilong.livejournal.com]

For that matter, even if you are trans, and/or know transfolk you've talked a lot with, I don't think there is a "THE [trans] experience". No?

[futabachan.livejournal.com]

Clearly, you're unacquainted with the Official Tranny High Command, whose 536-page specification (V7.3.2, 19 Feb 2007) clearly spells out all proper aspects of the Correct Trans Experience. All hail the High Command!

[mizalaina.livejournal.com]

Yeah, you should check it out. The newest revision fixes a lot of the printing errors with the December 2006 release, including the fact that some copy editor with a twisted sense of humour did a search and replace, and "penis" was changed to "feces" in 287 different places.

I have the unabridged audiobook version, read by Jamison Green, and released just last Friday.

[hobbitbabe.livejournal.com]

Official Tranny High Command

Oh, I think that was covered near the end of Rocky Horror Picture Show, wasn't it?

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

Do they have a salute like the one from "Spaceballs"?

I'll live by the codes of the SOS Brigade...

I see...

[laura-seabrook.livejournal.com]

...you've been talking to journalists and professors again!

[abostick59.livejournal.com]

How can you say that? I've thought of everything!!!

[epi-lj.livejournal.com]

I'm still not even positive that there are elements of the experience that I haven't overlooked. :/

[rbowspryte.livejournal.com]

of course but...this is in relation to?

I have actully met some people in certain trans humanist cultures and subcultures (furry, otherkin etc.) that have overlap in terms of identity and experience that comes fairly close actually...(if you believe and support those groups and their ideals/thoughts).

[kat-chan.livejournal.com]

So totally agree. Of course, that would require getting to know "one of them", and I'm sure that there are many people who think they've thought about it all,and just don't want to be around "one of them", because "they" make the person "uncomfortable." Because getting to know people with different experiences is only useful if you're able to remain in your comfort zone while doing so.

[lakme.livejournal.com]

Granted, but what if you've never met anyone who is trans? That doesn't really have to mean you have a negative and/or uninformed opinion. I've read a ton of books on transsexuality/transgendered people and pondered deeply on the subject, and have nothing but the upmost respect for anyone who is trans.... yet to meet anyone (that I'm aware of) who is trans let alone to have deep heartfelt discussions with. You're the closest thing to it, and you have yet to say a word to me :)

I'm sure I'm missing elements of the experience, but not by choice, and it doesn't mean that I have negative bad thoughts about trans folk, not even remotely. I'm just sayin'.

[bcholmes.livejournal.com]

You're the closest thing to it, and you have yet to say a word to me

Oh dear, I'm dreadfully sorry. I apologize if it seems that I was snubbing you. I'm just terrible about carrying on conversations. I mostly fill up my LiveJournal with all the weird goings-on in my head.

I am very pleased to make your acquaintance. I think I recall that you found my journal through toronto; whereabouts in the city are you?

yet to meet anyone (that I'm aware of) who is trans let alone to have deep heartfelt discussions with.

Well... heh... I don't go around saying "hi, I'm a real live trans person! I gots yer insights into the gender blending world right here!" But I look forward to any conversation that emerges on the topic.

[lakme.livejournal.com]

Oh sorry, I wasn't chastising you for not being chatty, I was just saying that you are the closest I've come to a trans person, and we haven't really chatted yet :) I did find your journal through Toronto, and because you were interested in Haiti and are trans, which are two of my major interests, I had to add you :)

I love trans people. I think it takes an amazing kind of bravery to become another gender, and I fully support anyone who does it.

I think it's really interesting that gender identity disorder is the only psychiatric disorder that is treated surgically, (aside from the occasional lobotomy still performed on depressed/OCD folk) and nothing else seems to help it. I think that means that there has to be a biological basis to it. I don't know about you, but I feel there must be.

I work with a rather ignorant woman who cannot understand why someone would have a sex change and then live as a gay man/woman, why don't they stay as their original gender, etc. I explained to her that a trans person could be celibate and still aim to become the opposite gender, because it's about gender identity and not sex, but she don't get it. Not everyone has any sort of open mind to transfolk, I've found.

You are wonderful to read, btw. Sorry for long-windedness ;-)