posted April 05, 2013 07:13 AM            

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To truly define Transgenderism, there first needs to be a basic understanding of the word. ‘Trans’ simply means ‘change’ or ‘transfer’, and ‘gender’ obviously speaks for itself. Someone who considers themselves to be Transgender is someone who is planning to, or has gone through the process of changing from one gender to the other, physically. The reason for this is that someone who is Transgender, for example an FtM (female to male), is born of male mind but of female body. They feel trapped inside a physical body that does not match the gender of their brain. What people need to realise and understand is that we are our minds, not our bodies. For example, if you are a biological male, imagine yourself as a child going to school. The school uniform is a dress for girls and pants for boys. Now imagine yourself as a little boy on his way to school, not in pants, but in a dress. How would that make you feel? Terribly uncomfortable, and as though everyone around you is looking, and noticing a boy in a dress. You would want to run and hide, or refuse to even leave the house that way. This is exactly how an FtM feels about wearing dresses or putting on make-up or appearing feminine in any way. They feel completely wrong even considering to do these things because they are truly of male mind. Even if an FtM has not yet begun the transition from female to male, and are still feminine in appearance, they still feel the terrible anxiety and discomfort of having to appear that way because to them it feels as though all people around them are looking at them as ‘a man in a dress’ or ‘a man in make-up’. Even though the people around them have no idea that they are Transgender, this thought does not alleviate the troublesome feelings. Our minds are US, and our bodies are simply something to carry us through our lives. The majority of the population is blessed with having both brain gender and body gender match, as is naturally intended, but for the few of us Transgender people, we need and desire to do whatever it may take (within reason) to alter our bodies to match our brains. Before I go into what the transition entails, I want to explain the difference between gender and sexuality, because usually at this point of defining Transgenderism, certain questions are invoked such as, “What if she is not Transgender but is a lesbian?” or “Can a Transgender person be gay?” and “If a Transgender person is gay, doesn’t the transition defeat the purpose?” The fact is, a Transgender person can be gay or lesbian. As mentioned, we are our minds and so an FtM considers themselves to be heterosexual males. An FtM who is gay considers themselves a homosexual male, a male mind attracted to other males. Some might say someone like this should not be considered Transgender because they are of female biology and attracted to males, this is incorrect because the person is in fact of male mind. Gender and sexuality are entirely separate.

In most cases of Transgenderism, the transition from one physical gender to the other is similar, but can take place at different stages of life, depending on the person. Most Transgender persons become aware that they are different somehow early in life, usually primary-school aged. When this happens, and the realisation of how they are different comes to light, the transition begins. FtM’s will refuse to appear feminine, and MtF’s will refuse to appear masculine, starting to show who they are on the inside, on their physical bodies. Later in life, once they are eighteen or older, they may take on hormone replacement therapy. This helps Transgender people to change their physical appearance to be as close to their mind’s gender as possible. It is best to start this process as early as possible since, for example, if an MtF has already gone through puberty and developed facial hair, this cannot be undone without the help of laser hair removal. Basically, what hormone replacement therapy does is ‘switch off’ the pituitary gland of the biological gender and operate from the injected hormones. Beyond hormone treatment, Transgender people can undergo a sex change operation, which is risky and not always successful. Some feel it best to go all the way and completely physically change their biological bodies; others feel the operation is not necessary and can happily live their lives without having done so. As an example, for an FtM to have the operation so that they may have a penis, it means that they not only have the penis that they have felt they were meant to be born with, they can urinate from it as well. But this is as far as it goes. Technology is not advanced to the point where the created penis can be used for sexual intercourse. An FtM considering this operation must choose between a life without sex and a physical penis, or to live without a penis all together. There is one other option though, which in my opinion is the best one. Prosthetic penis’ exist where an FtM can attach it to their body with medical adhesive. The prosthetic is designed to feel and look totally real. It also allows the FtM to take part in sexual intercourse, as the prosthetic can be bent slightly upward and stay in place like that of a real erection. Unfortunately, for MtF’s, not a whole lot can be done to help them with sexual intercourse unless they have the sex change surgery, which involves turning the nerves of the penis inward when surgeons create the vagina. Again, this is not always successful.
Transitioning really is all about changing the physical body to match the mind’s gender, there is no transitioning of the person’s personality, interests or lifestyle as these things about the person, ARE the person anyway. There are battles, however, that Transgender people face throughout their lives. Typically during the younger school years, where other kids will ask questions, tease, and bully. Each person will of course handle these things differently, but it is just as difficult for each Transgender person to go through. It takes many years of understanding it yourself as a Transgender person, and years of explaining and re-explaining what it all means before you reach a point where you are not afraid, ashamed, or shy of hiding it anymore. You don’t go around telling the world about it, for it is a need to know basis that people are told or need to become aware, but if someone outside of that questions you, or tries to bully or make fun, you don’t get upset or run and hide. You take that person on directly and try to help them understand it. If the person clearly wants not to understand it but is against it and wants nothing more than to bully you for it, then you walk away from them, because you are comfortable and proud of who you are. After a time, it becomes like water off a duck’s back. You can only hear so many insults so many times before it no longer has an effect. It is extremely important as a Transgender person to become resilient, and to come to terms with, and be comfortable with exactly who you are. This is Transgenderism in a nut-shell. To go more in-depth is greatly interesting but time consuming. To continue further, answering any questions would be the best way. Remember, understanding is key. Each Transgender person is a person like everybody else, only trying to make their own lives complete and comfortable by becoming exactly who they are, who they’re meant to be.

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I think he was trying to help others understand what it is by writing this article. Hope it helps someone.

posted April 06, 2013 07:07 AM            

I've always been confused about how someone can feel the gender of their brain, though. It just bewilders me.

Maybe because I have a rather masculine brain...Aquarius Mercury aspected by a lot of other air and fire planets...and when I was younger, I was a tomboy to the point of cross-dressing and being mistaken for a guy (as late as age 16.) So I thought, if anyone would "feel like a guy" it would probably be me, yet I never did.

At one age, I would have felt like a total fool wearing a dress and makeup. A few years later it didn't bother me. Seeing my own flexibility has made me wonder why other people aren't the same way.

I mean no offense, I am just genuinely confused by this (and I think I wore out Xiiro on this topic by going on and on and on about my confusion. )

But I would love to talk to your brother, as I am totally curious.

posted April 06, 2013 05:57 PM            

PS.
SunChild
Please give him a big hug from me.{{{HUG }}}

posted April 06, 2013 07:23 PM            

I'll also add that not all transgendered people are transsexuals, or even want to be. For example, as more than one stud (sometimes called "A-G" for "aggressive"), a type of masculine lesbian (not to be confused with a "butch"), has said, "We don't act like men, we act masculine." It's more of a style than a gender identification. I point it out because a lot of people, including transsexuals, get confused over that. (I also suspect at least a few, any sexual orientation, blur gender lines as a form of liberation from the burdens of their own gender than from a desire to be another.)

posted April 06, 2013 10:24 PM            

Thanks for giving him a voice here and helping others gain a greater understanding.

I hope to meet him someday, if he feels so inclined to join.