yawning801
Do you think that being transgender is seen as more of a "trend" among young people? And if so, is it clouding the general perception of transgender people IYSWIM?
At the moment, yes I do. Of course, there's always been that general sense of 'otherness' amongst young people, and labels tend to feel like a good way to cling to some sort of meaning or place in the world - at the moment, I think gender identity is something of a hot topic in that respect. And I do think it's having some impact on the perception of trans people as a whole, yes. It's also not particularly helped by doctors who insist on a GID diagnosis the second a child questions their gender. As mentioned in a previous answer, questioning gender and identity is perfectly normal in children - it doesn't mean they're all trans! Unfortunately, there's a vocal chunk of the medical profession who seem to be giving children this 'now or never' ultimatum when it comes to their lifelong identity, which obviously isn't good for anyone, least of all the child in question.
NicoAndTheNiners
^Why did you feel you had to become a man rather than gender non conforming female?
What does it mean when trans people say they feel like the opposite sex? How can they know what the opposite sex feels like?^
This is the eternal question, I'm afraid! My honest, basic answer is, I don't know. After all, there is certainly not a wealth of difference in how men and women view and interact with the world - it's all the same, in the long run. We're all human. But I knew that by living in the world as a woman - be it tomboy, feminine, GNC or anything else, because lord knows I gave it all a go, for a very long time - I was living dishonestly, for myself and for others around me. That's why I transitioned. I didn't know what 'man' felt like - I just knew, 100% for a fact, that I wasn't 'woman'.
EmmaGrundyForPM
^Do you believe you are a man?
How has surgery affirmed that belief?^
Yes, I do. Surgery has made sure that what I look like on the outside matches who I am on the inside, that's all!
Hyppolyta
^Can I ask why you imagine you were "assigned" female? Was your sex not just noted, as standard?
Secondly, do you use male spaces and if so, does if not bother you that you may make males feel uncomfortable?^
Yes, you could also say that.
Yes, I use male spaces. It doesn't bother me for two reasons - what I'm doing in there is of my concern, not somebody elses, and I can't imagine why they'd be looking at me anyway; and to be entirely honest, they wouldn't be able to tell I wasn't born biologically male even if they did manage to get a creepy glance at me.
shaggedthruahedgebackwards
^Are you sexually attracted to men or women?
Are you open with people you meet that you are a trans man?^
Men.
If I feel it will be relevant, yes. I don't exactly introduce myself with it, but if a person is going to be in my life for an extended period of time, I usually find a private moment to mention it. I'm not ashamed of being trans, and I do advocate work in my day-to-day life, so it's a conversation I'm very used to having!
TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross
^What does "assigned female" mean?
To "assign" means to designate or allocate which suggests that you think biological sex is chosen in some way by doctors/parents/whoever rather than simply being determined based on an observation of genitalia.^
As mentioned up above - yes, one could just as easily say it was determined and noted down by a doctor.
PolyKit
Do you think a gay man should be attracted to you? Would you think him a homophobe if he had no desire to have sex with any man who was born female?
Personally I don't think anyone should be attracted to me - generally speaking I'm a pretty poor specimen. Fortunately, my husband doesn't seem to mind!
I think it's very personal to the man in question - some gay men are totally fine with the situation, and others are not, and that's entirely their prerogative. Nobody is entitled to sex from anyone, and it matters not a inch what their reasoning is. If a man didn't want to have sex with me because I was born with a vagina, then I wouldn't hold that against him for a moment - his reasoning is his own, and not mine to question.
I've skipped a few questions because they cover the 'assigned at birth' thing, which I've responded to up above! Clumsy wording on my part again, I'm afraid - you can just as easily say 'noted', 'designated', 'written down', whichever is preferred. Either way, I was born with a female reproductive system.
AdultHumanFemale
^So many questions I want to ask you, thank you for posting. You don't say how old you are, do you mind sharing? I'm only asking as I wonder to what extent social media has played a part in supporting your decision to transition. My nephew is a young transguy, who has lived his life pretty much online for the last 6 years, finding a lot of encouragement from an online community of transmen.
I also wonder, and perhaps I'm not allowed to ask as it may violate MN guidelines, in which case don't answer, but do you believe that you have actually changed biological sex, or simply altered your physical appearance to better suit your gender expression?
Finally, are you arattracted to men or women? If you are attracted to men, how supportive (read willing to engage romantically and sexually) have you found gay men?
I'd better press 'post' now before someone else asks my questions and I appear to be a latecomer who hasn't RTFT.^
I'm 29. I began my transition in my early teens, between 14-15. Social media was in its infancy when I was young, but honestly, support from other transgender people would have been an absolute godsend at that time. I hope your nephew is doing well!
Honestly, I've had very few sexual relationships - a few ill-advised secondary school flings, the less said about which the better, and then I met my current husband, who was supportive from the very beginning. He's a gay man, and he accepted me from the very start as a romantic and sexual partner. I was extremely lucky to find him.
I haven't fundamentally 'changed' my biological sex, no. I will never have the reproductive system of a man. I have a penis and testicles, which are functional in terms of urination and sex, but I don't produce sperm and as such (obviously) could never father a child naturally. However, my female reproductive system has been removed - I had a full hysterectomy and no longer have a vagina or vulva, and nor do I have breasts. So when I look in the mirror I see a biological man, and that is more than enough for me. So yes, I have altered my physical appearance in order to live a contented, fulfilling life for myself.
SlightAggrandising
Do you want a family?
I have one! I've been happily married for six years, and have the full support of my extended family. We don't have children, but neither of us wanted to have them.
Ploverlover
Have you had any mental health problems diagnosed?
Depression and GAD.
ColdCottage
^What has been the best support you have received from your family, friends and community?
How can people make it easier for you (if you've had any problems)?^
Self-education. Even though part of my day-job is advocacy these days, I used to get very tired of answering the same questions and being everybody's 'go-to trans person', as it were. These days, I live to answer questions and never shut my flipping mouth, but when I was a young depressed teen it meant the world to me if people took the time to educate themselves on the trans experience. It just meant I could relax a little, knowing I wasn't going to be grilled on things that I was still learning about myself.
00100001
What’s your favourite biscuit?
Chocolate Hobnob. Only chocolate. None of this plain nonsense.