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.

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.

So not women but cervix havers?

I fully believe that people with a cervix should be invited to pap smears, not women

Do you see how not automatically inviting all females at the GP surgery for a smear could cause some women to be missed? Don’t you think it’s better for some to be invited who don’t need it, rather than miss those who do?

Another here who finds it genuinely terrifying that one person can change such an important policy.

can you explain what it is that makes you a man?

What did "part time dressing as a man" mean for you at the age of 10?

I’d like a list of manly feelings. Thanks.

@WellErrr

No worries! The check box was created so that women who've conveyed they do not have a cervix, obviously with some background knowledge, can be taken off the automatic list, while (largely trans) men can indicate they would like to manually receive a letter outside the automatic system.

Do you believe it is possible to literally change from one biological sex to the other?

I fully believe that people with a cervix should be invited to pap smears, not women.

As a trans person, presumably identity is important to you.
Can’t you understand how women are not happy at having ours erased to appease the wants of a tiny minority?

Can you see how it’s only women this is happening to? The same isn’t true of prostrate exams. And we don’t see the word ‘men’ being forcibly changed to ‘prostrate havers’ or ‘ejaculators.’

Can you really REALLY not see how changing the identity of millions of people to suit yourself really isn’t on?

Have all the females at your surgery been informed of the change? Does it mean that women need to opt in to cervical screening? I'm dumbfounded that you see this as positive.

Why did you want to identify out of being seen as female? What message would you give to young women struggling with the gender expectations of being female?

Oh and also "protecting the girls". How does this make you male?

Family lore is that my mother, eldest of three sisters and two brothers, protected all of them from bullies at school using an umbrella as a sword, chased off muggers from one sister, and another sister chased a flasher down the Paris Metro hitting him with her handbag. My mum also bashed the fingers of a man groping her sister between her shoe and the door (also of the Metro incidentally), while protecting her sister. Fun times.

Hi sideris, hope your weekend is going well.

What do you make of women’s concerns around trans inclusion in sport and the detriment it causes?

Do you share concerns about the over-medicalisation (affirmation only model) for gender non conforming children, where children are being irrevocably set on a path towards an adulthood with little to no sexual function and fertility, before they are old enough to understand the full impact of these interventions? (Eg clinicians at the Tavistock resigning in protest, Jazz Jennings etc).

Thanks!

🙄

Do you agree with young children being allowed to pursue a new gender, even taking steps to change their hormones at a very young age?

Did you decide to be trans because you did feel like a man, or was it more that you didn't feel like a woman (to or from)?

I have heard that taking testorine etc can reduce your fertility and chances of being a parent. What are your feelings about this?

Can you share anything that’s not a traditional male stereotype that you think makes you a man? All the things you mention as a child (defending women etc) are all very stereotypical Male roles. Why do you feel that you couldn’t behave in that way as a woman? Why do you think that women need defending and who do they need defending from?

Given you’ve clearly had some struggles in your life, why do you think you would make a good adoptive parent and why do you think it would be in the best interests of a child, given you seem quite firmly attached to traditional gender roles?

I would be curious to know How many trans persons are there attending your surgery? Versus how many women? I think that's an extraordinary and terrifying change to make, just so a few people don't have their feelings hurt.

And also, I'm so curious, do you find that people behave towards you completely differently as a man? Does it make you feel differently, the way they behave?

What do you get positively from being a transman rather than a woman?

Whom would you rather get into a brawl with, a transwoman or a bio woman?

Do you not think that there are obvious dangers in allowing men to access women’s spaces?

My friend who lost ovaries uterus and breasts to cancer.... is she now a transman?

Genuine questions by the way.

I think that's an extraordinary and terrifying change to make, just so a few people don't have their feelings hurt.

It's a check box. To opt in or out. It's hardly a terrifying change!

Thank you for answering my questions.

As you were 10 when you started becoming aware do you think this is more of a "I don't want to be "girly" and fit that stereotype, I'd rather be more masculine" more than feeling you are actually a man in a woman's body?

This is the bit I struggle with, I believe that gender stereotypes have a lot to answer for and if people were treated equally regardless of genitalia there would be less transitioning, I do also believe that there are some people who have a body dysmorphia thing and genuinely feel they have the wrong body but I feel they know from very early on.

@WellErrr
*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?*

I do not believe women have cause for concern about a rare trans woman entering women's spaces. Certainly not because the outcries have been a very recent thing while trans women have freely been in women's spaces for decades. With regards to sports, I accept the rules set by findings of medical professionals.

@piercedmyfootonaspike
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?

I was interested in stereotypical male and female things. I tried living as a woman for approximately 25 years but found myself attempting to break out constantly. It wasn't at all about the clothes, as I was happy to wear dresses and make-up and do so now again that I'm read as male (I'm trying to find a local trans inclusive drag group, but am happy to participate in large, open events).

@PityParty4one
And that is beneficial to all females of the right age how exactly?

Women who've had hysterectomies or were born without a uterus can now opt out of receiving a letter to remind themselves of it. Men who need cervical tests can now receive a letter, which eases admission to the tests as well (as they can show that it was indicated at the GP that they do have a cervix).

@BelleSausage

I just read over my own quote again and found the error. They do automatically send the requests but the tick box ticks a person off the automatic female list if they indicated no uterus to test, or onto a new list if they indicate a uterus while male.