I'm a trans man and local trans activist, AMA

[Sideris]

Hi there, folks.

As the title says, I'm here to respond to questions in good nature.

For a bit of background information, I'm 30 years old, a trans activist out of necessity (being the first 'out' trans person in numerous spaces, which didn't have any rules or regulations before, but have since been commended for ease of process by some new trans members or trans members who have been referred by me), have been 'passing' for about three years, now.

[PityParty4one]

Morning.

Thanks for posting it's good to be able to ask respectfull questions so I hope that's how posters treat you.

What kind of activism do you do/organise?

[WellErrr]

What form does your activism take?

[Sideris]

Hi, @UnexpectedItemInTheShaggingAre! Happy new year to you, too! Sorry if I'm not getting everything right in formatting, also your question is more than fine.

As a trans man, I'm someone who's birth certificate formerly said female (now it says male). Usually, it's a descriptor in the same way someone might say 'tall man' or 'white man', though I suppose it depends on the individual, too.

Thank you and I hope you have a nice Sunday.

[Finfintytint]

Do you actually have a new birth certificate or a gender recognition certificate?

[Snaleandthewhail]

You’ll notice that some of us are uncomfortable with the word “woman” being exchanged for more generic terms such as “people” in an effort not to offend trans people. For example “people with a cervix” being invited for screening, or the removal of woman’s icon from tampax packaging.

As a person-with-a-cervix-who-isn’t-a-woman, how do you feel about this? (Apologies if you don’t have a cervix...).

[chergar]

Ooh I have a lot of questions, I will just list them and you can answer what you want, I am sorry if any of my questions are too personal or offensive, just ignore any that you don't want to answer

1. When did you know you were trans.
2. Did you feel/do things differently to other girls as a child?
3. How did you tell your family - were they supportive, did they have an inkling
4. Are you attracted to males or females?
5. Would you date a trans person?
6. Have you had eggs frozen for future children?
7. Do you work? How are your colleagues about it, have you had any discrimination?
8. What activism are you involved in?

[Sideris]

Good morning, @WellErrr & @PityParty4one

My 'activism' ranges more about opening up spaces in administrative and functional sense. My work space now allows trans people to access their dressing room per passport identification, the gym I attend currently has installed cubicles in the showers (the only space with public nudity, here), and GPs in my immediate area no longer automatically sends pap smear requests to anyone listed as female and none to those listed male (I'd requested a simple check box to be added for those exempt on the female side, included on the male side), for example.

[WellErrr]

GPs in my immediate area no longer automatically sends pap smear requests to anyone listed as female and none to those listed male (I'd requested a simple check box to be added for those exempt on the female side, included on the male side), for example.

So hang on - this could result in women missing their smear? What was the reason for this? Surely you still have a smear!?

[WellErrr]

My 'activism' ranges more about opening up spaces in administrative and functional sense.

Do you understand who women have concerns about female spaces being opened up to males?

Do you have any concerns yourself about being complicit in this?

[Finfintytint]

WellErr, I read it that it was a blanket letter but acknowledged with the tick box that some “ men” are in fact women.

[piercedmyfootonaspike]

Hello,

Thanks for being brave to start this. I have lots of questions and am really interested in your thoughts but I'll ask hopefully an easy one first!

When you were a child were you a "tomboy", interested in stereotypically male things rather than female, and if so, what made you come to the decision that you were male rather than a female who wasn't into dresses or whatever?

Thanks a lot!

[PityParty4one]

and GPs in my immediate area no longer automatically sends pap smear requests to anyone listed as female and none to those listed male (I'd requested a simple check box to be added for those exempt on the female side, included on the male side), for example.

And that is beneficial to all females of the right age how exactly?

Sorry but that could result in a female not receiving a reminder, cancer being missed and worse case death!
So you have single handedly changed women's health care to suit your own agenda?

[BelleSausage]

GPs in my immediate area no longer automatically sends pap smear requests to anyone listed as female and none to those listed male (I'd requested a simple check box to be added for those exempt on the female side, included on the male side), for example.

I’d like to know about this too. Isn’t this terribly dangerous if the person hasn’t undergone SRS and still has a cervix or a prostate? It’s difficult enough getting women to go to cervical smears.

Also, isn’t this also dangerous for the administration of certain medications?

[Chosennone]

Have you any thoughts/opinions you'd be willing to share on the huge increase, around 400%, of teenage girls who are wanting to transition to males?

[chergar]

I read the gp thing as people listed as female (gender) don't automatically get a reminder but those listed as female sex do, with the exceptions of female sex who have had cervix removed.

[Egghead68]

What form did any assessment for autism spectrum conditions and mental health issues take prior to surgery/hormone treatment?

What do you think about reports that most female to male transitioners are on the spectrum and/or have suffered psychological trauma?

What do you think about people who talk about the current “social contagion” of gender transitioning?

Do you have any sympathy with women who don’t want male to female transsexuals in their toilets and changing rooms?

[PityParty4one]

There is no female gender.
The words male and female mean the sex of a person.

I wont deny that 1 person being able to change a health care procedure which does not benefit all those who could be affected worries me greatly.

Why did you want the change?

[Illberidingshotgun]

Doesn't the GP thing mean that ALL people who need a smear test will be offered one, rather than an offer made purely on gender? Therefore ALL women will be offered one unless there is no medical need, and those men who have a medical need for one will be offered one. Surely it's ensuring that no-one falls through the net?

OP may I ask how your family and friends have reacted, and if there have been any surprises in those reactions, whether positive or negative?

[flickeringcandle45]

Do you think it is fair that trans people can change the facts on their birth certificates when this right is denied to adopted people?

What tactics should adopted people use to acquire this right?

[BelleSausage]

I’s like the OP to clarify before comment again.

Does this mean that some people who haven’t undergone GRS won’t get cancer screening letters. Because that is highly problematic.

[chergar]

Another question:
In your activism what, if anything, are you doing to ensure all spaces are safe for all people? What are you doing about ensuring only genuine transgender/transsexual people are allowed to use typically opposite sex areas, as many people are worried about people (usually m2f) using it as an excuse to obtain access for unscrupulous reasons?

[Sideris]

@Finfintytint
My birth certificate says I'm male. It's the same one, just with a late correction.

@Snaleandthewhail
I fully believe that people with a cervix should be invited to pap smears, not women. The cervix is what's being inspected, after all, so a cervix is the detrimental feature to invite on.

I also don't understand fuss about the inclusion or exclusion of a symbol on a slip of plastic around a menstrual pad. Personally, I'd much rather that focus was aimed towards erasing period poverty and enabling everyone who needs access to menstrual products has that access.

@chergar

1. I learned about trans people late in life (age 22) and identified as trans since age 24, but had expressed the desire for transitioning at 10, part-time dressed as a man since age 15 (difficult, as I had an extremely feminine body) and had never seen myself a girl or woman.

1. I'm not sure. I insisted on exclusively playing male roles in playing pretend, I insisted on protecting girls from harm, but other than that, I filtered between boys and girls so much that I never paid attention as a child to what was a 'girl thing' and what was a 'boy thing'. My sister being a huge tomboy probably helped with that, too.

1. My family hasn't been very supportive (they keep using the wrong pronouns and my former legal name), though the only one surprised was my mother.

1. I'm attracted to men. It doesn't matter to me if they are or aren't trans.

1. Definitely! I don't see why I wouldn't date a trans man.

1. No, but I've had no wish for children of my own. I'm planning on adopting an older child.

1. I work full time. My coworkers are largely supportive, but as a trans person I receive a fair amount of conversation that would never pass if spoken to someone who wasn't trans (regarding who I date, how I have sex, my genitals).

1. Already answered previously.

[Mummyoflittledragon]

Have you ever been raped or sexually assaulted? Or been afraid of natal males?

Do you understand why some natal women are afraid of transwomen being in female only spaces?

[Mummyoflittledragon]

I’m planning on adopting an older child.

Have you approached agencies about that and if you are suitable?