Please help me clarify my thinking....

[Thanksforthatamazingpost]

Have been on mumsnet since2008, on this board for a couple of months.(by the way, does clicking on my name show how long I’ve been around.)?

Here’s my issue/question:

When it comes to the vogue for children to be trans, I am absolutely opposed to prescription medication or surgery on children. I believe all children should be permitted to be gender non conforming. Fine to feminise/masculinise their own name too (kids have always done that).

However, when it comes to transitioning adults, much of the objection on this board is to do with the notion of transitioning without medical involvement (it is just self ID and a legal paperworkprocess).

Should we not be encouraging adults to experiment by just doing a social transition?

Please help me think!

@yetanother
I don't know if she's had HRT or surgery.

No, me either. I could assume hormone treatment, but I don’t know. I suppose what I mean is, she’s ‘socially transitioned’ in the way OP says society could support i.e. no need for a medical diagnosis for a GRC, it’s irrelevant to her.

As I understand it, the change of birth certificate etc is to allow trans people not to have to disclose their natal sex to prospective employers etc. where they fear discrimination. Paris is out and proud as a trans woman so doesn’t need that as a coping strategy I suppose.

I think we should all be working on making society more tolerant of difference and stamping out genuine prejudice and discrimination for trans people. But not by saying trans women ARE women in all senses. By saying trans people are living their own lives and should not be discriminated against for making choices outside of the norm. Making ‘trans’ a viable choice in itself, not as a way to be a woman or man whilst ignoring biology entirely.

For those few with dysphoria, who need to be as fully assimilated into their chosen gender as much as possible for their mental wellbeing, a GRC process and surgery to address their body distress would be available still, and have more rigorous medical gate-keeping, as is right for a serious health issue.

But ‘trans’ as self-identified should mean just that - a matter for oneself, not the law.

It’s difficult all round to get a balance right. But the TRA lobby are right in that society needs to change. I’m just not on board with how they’re asking for it to change...

I think we should all be working on making society more tolerant of difference and stamping out genuine prejudice and discrimination for trans people. But not by saying trans women ARE women in all senses. By saying trans people are living their own lives and should not be discriminated against for making choices outside of the norm. Making ‘trans’ a viable choice in itself, not as a way to be a woman or man whilst ignoring biology entirely.

I agree with this.

I broadly agree with the above too, but I don't think trans is a suitable term in that future GNC society, as it reinforces the idea that there are two sets of stereotypes to transistion between. I'd rather aim for everyone just doing what they want, masculine, feminine, whatever. With the understanding that sex is fixed but it doesn't determine personality.

(Though I guess this approach would be mainly helpful to children, to avoid letting them think they mustn't like diggers as they're for boys, etc. It might not be especially useful to those with gender dysphoria or AGP.)

Great replies thanks!