So, being new to the intrawebz trans community, i’ve been doing a lot of reading and…wow. i feel a need to reply to all of the posts and sites i’ve read attacking the idea of scientific study behind trans behavior, and the hostility that seems to exist between those who have different ideas over the definition of a ‘real woman’. Conservative transsexuals vs. progressive transgenders.
Although it’s easier to stay cloaked in ignorance, it goes without saying that history has proven that it is never better. Arguing against the study for the biological causalities of transsexuality and transgenderism is no different from creationists standing in the way of science. Both threaten to violate a preconceived notion of ‘truth’.
i’ve never been one to shut up and accept the ‘because God said so’ explanation. And i don’t understand how scientific understanding could threaten someone’s sense of identity. By now it is obvious that there are several different factors in determining if someone ends up expressing themselves as trans, and having varying degrees of any number of these factors won’t legitimize anyone any more or less, just as lighter or darker skin legitimizing anyone any more or less when it comes to being black.
There are always going to be pockets of elitists in any subculture. Consider the racist phrase, ‘if it ain’t white, it ain’t right’. People with a prejudice are going to display hateful behavior, and hate can’t be reasoned with. It strikes me that elitist transsexuals have hope to find some hidden biological truth that sets them apart and above transgendered people. But the only possible motive they could have for this would be gaining easier acceptance by the general population. That won’t make a difference. Hate can’t be reasoned with ladies, and you’re going to be considered just as much of a ‘freak’ as everybody else.
Flawed reasons for scientific understanding aside, simply ‘basking in the marvel of what is, and letting it be’ is not enough. It's a riddle to be solved like all scientific mysteries. We need to know why, and i will draw a line of opposition against any well-meaning but short-sighted T who insists that we should live in ‘warm acceptance’ (re: fearful ignorance) just because of what might come to pass (in utero manipulation of gender identity - the ultimate non-threat i've ever heard).
Before you get all glassy-eyed with indifference or angrily pop a vein you could tow a car with, listen to me for a moment. Aside from the crime of taking a page from the fundamentalist’s playbook with such ‘thinking’ (see no evil / hear no evil / speak no evil), those that do don’t seem to realize that they are engaging in nothing more than a fighting retreat for our cause. An X-Men III scenario is not avoided by choking off science; it’s avoided by choking off religious influence in our government. Fine, you don’t want to know why the way we are. i do. There are so many places we could go with more knowledge. Don’t fear the development of a new car just because drunk drivers still exist.
The horrible aspect of all this is how badly it seems to be fracturing the community. It’s bad enough that the Christian Coalition is fighting the exploration of scientific proof against the ‘choice of lifestyle’ condemnation. What’s worse is the outcry some transsexuals have at being associated with transgendered people. Direct address to the elitists: i’ve heard several times now that the rational is that ‘they make us look bad’. Really? Well i’m 100% transsexual, by every definition you elitists seem to cling to. Rather than ‘them’ making ‘us’ look bad, I think *you* are making *me* look bad.
The relatively few people born into affluence can fall prey to the thought of being superior to others, and participate in a sub-culture that reinforces their elitism. They begin to lose the ability to see the world beyond the scope of their own money, and consequently their worth as a person becomes related to it. Worse, the value of others less fortunate is measured the same way.
This cycle repeats itself.
The relatively few people born very passable can fall prey to the thought of being superior to others, and participate in a sub-culture that reinforces their elitism. They begin to lose the ability to see the world beyond the scope of their own anonymity, and consequently their worth as a person becomes related to it. Worse, the value of others less fortunate is measured the same way.
Those few people that are born fortunate must resist any thought of
being superior, and simply embrace
being T. The first step is to admit denial of your mentality. Just as the ‘Law and Order’ election platform in the 60’s was code for anti-black prejudice, so to is the desperate need to separate transsexuality from the rest of the community nothing more than internal trans-prejudice.
i have expressed anger at representatives of the trans community that liberal-minded T might label as elitist (despite my not being passable). i’ll give an example with my reason why, even though it may destroy any chance of developing some friendships online.
Drag queens offend me profoundly. i see them as nothing more than men mocking trans women. And i’ve heard all the excuses. ‘It’s just a popular stage show’. ‘It’s just for fun and comedy’. ‘It’s a part of the culture’. ‘Your type participates so there’s nothing wrong’. These exact arguments have been used before.
Funny how history repeats itself. Or maybe not. i've tried to 'get over it', but somehow i can't shake the feeling that they are mocking us and making a parody of who we are. Admittedly, as a fault, i am frequently sensitive, and not as intelligent, educated or experienced as many others. Perhaps there is some new view i can't reach yet.
i have observed conservative transsexuals attack people as ‘just crossdressers’, and i have seen all-inclusive transgenders respond by labeling it as a form of hate. Where’s the motive being targeted? Some crossdressers are trans women who simply can’t afford therapy, true. But more often than not, they are men playing into stereotypical ideals of women, which offends my ever-developing feminist sensibilities. Being new to the ‘scene’, i have yet to find anyone that agrees with me, but it doesn’t make me want to back down on my feelings. New minds, fresh ideas. It’s just my particular flavor of crazy. i only have one motive.
Drive back the darkness of religion with the bright light of science, until ‘god’ has nowhere left to hide.
