To think I can't be the only person who doesn't know a single trans person

[VioletSpeedwell]

Seriously.

The news is full of people worrying about how the SC ruling will affect people who identify as trans.

Where are they? Not in my office (large organisation), my family or social groups. I don't come across any in the village where I live or when I go into town.

DD is at university and doesn't know any trans people.

Surely, I can't be the only one?

Ohhhhhhhhhhh...... Oh man. Oh you sweet summer child.

I know 3 and live in a small rural town.

They're adult males identifying but not passing as women. Obviously the number goes much higher if I include teenagers at DC school.

I guess a century or two ago, the same question was asked about black people. And just a few decades ago, about gay people.
Yes, trans people exist. Some are more “obvious” than others, but some you probably don’t even know are trans, because they don’t always feel the need to scream it from the roof tops.

I’ve seen a few, one of my service user was trans, only 16 years old, has ASD and very low self esteem, comes from a very loving and supportive upper middle class family and another one who’s mid 50’s and had mental health issues for years.
a lot of trans people I’ve met have either ASD or complex mental health issues, sometimes both.

I'm really not 😂simply suggesting that transvestites are honest about just finding dressing up as a woman a turn on, and don't demand everyone plays the game of pretending they're a proper womanly woman.

What’s classed as “full gender reassignment”?

As far as I'm concerned I've just about had it with sea lions. Damned things.

I know one transwoman and 3 trans men. I didn't know 2 of the trans men before transition and had no idea they were trans until they told me.

I don’t know where these schools are that have all these trans kids either. I’m a teacher with many teacher friends and we were discussing the other day after all the news headlines that not one of us has taught a trans child and none of us knew any other teachers who have. Maybe a really dense population of trans people in certain areas?

Ah... Ok.... I think I get you. I think they are a dying breed, though. We could break it down further...

Transvestites according to your definition, who simply own their fetish and don't claim to be women.

Transsexuals of the old-school variety who would claim gender dysphoria (and in some cases also admit to AGP) but not claim to be women.

Then... Increasingly, and speaking with the loudest voices. People simply calling themselves trans, which can mean anything and everything, from a man who likes to wear earrings now and then, up to hormones and surgery, but united in their demand to be treated as women in all circumstances up to and including competitive sport, and women's prisons for any crimes committed with "her penis".

Even Eddie Izzard changed his tune... He used to perfectly encapsulate your definition of transvestite, but now claims to be trans.

I know 3,

Well, 2 teenage girls who claimed to be trans and now they've accepted that they are women, and they have grown out of it.

And one trans woman, who's parents are massively homophobic, from what I can see, they prefer to say I'm a woman and fancy men, rather than say, I'm a man and fancy men

To put it bluntly, breasts removed, full hysterectomy, hormone therapy and phalloplasty. This was after counselling sessions and needed the approval of several medical professionals. It certainly wasn't an easy and straightforward process.

The patriarchy allows men to run riot with their entitlement. It’s not amazing, it’s depressing.

I know one personally and have come accross several 'in the wild'.

And I can't say I have ever had a really nice, normal, human experience with any of them.

What a vile misogynistic thing to say. Are you one on them that claims to be a feminist and use that as a reason to be anti-trans too?

It's so complicated, isn't it? I'm sure I'm not the only person who has found it difficult to come to terms with the idea that Eddie Izzard now considers him/herself to be a woman, and is no longer just a bloke who enjoys wanking himself off while wearing a pink dress and high heels.

But apologies, Mumsnet , I understand that having doubts is transphobic. Mea mucha culpa.

@VioletSpeedwell I think the industry you work in and where you live are a huge factor. My DD was trans (now desisted) but 3 of the kids in our road were trans (one is a male ballet dancer, the other fully surgically transitioned on the NHS on just after 19). I live in a town with an arts uni - they hunt in packs literally. Gangs of tall gangly young men in dresses and long hair walking back from college; posses of butch women with blue or purple hair, and flat chests (binders or surgery, it’s not clear) but some are stubbled. I did an MA two years ago at a neighbouring town… 85% of my course were lesbian/queer or trans (one straight male and two older women including myself were the token heterosexuals).

I might have shrugged at the idiocy of it all had it not crossed my threshold and caused so much distress, had I not seen the surgical atrocity performed on my friend’s child. DH works for a global company and there are 2 trans women at his place.

I’d say you’ve been very lucky to be completely oblivious and untouched. It decimated my family.

@Totallymessed

They told me lol! Even if they hadn't it is obvious that they are not female.

Why not?
I know at least 4 trans people. All under the age of 21. Two you definitely can’t tell that they are actually the opposite sex

I have edited to remove my remark.

@IchiNiSanShiGo it isn’t really up to the OP to know and identify trans people. I can’t imagine anyone being comfortable with having to view or show their penis so not sure why you would consider that normal

I know one (s/he is married to close family member). Has had all the surgery. Is very vocal about both trans rights and wanting to be accepted as a woman. I find it difficult. I know of one other, a friend's child in his/her 20s who is on medication, but haven't seen them since they were a child. I think DH works with one too, not closely but sees them sometimes.

As long as it's not because they peg out the washing every weekend wearing suspenders and a thong. A lady should keep some secrets.

I know one, female to male.

Same. Beer belly and all.