True Transsexuals (Part I)

The first time I heard this term was about 5 years ago.  It made me angry.   The label smacks of elitism.  Of course, in context, it was used with a heaping dose of elitism.  The speaker was criticizing people who, in her view, were not really transsexual.  They were just playing at it.  Or something.

I don’t remember, or maybe I didn’t know at the time what exactly set her off; but she was very vindictive towards other TG’s.   And since that time, I’ve bristled whenever I’ve heard the term.

But, in recent months, I’m beginning to wonder if there isn’t some truth to the idea of a “true transsexual”.  We’ve probably all known someone who declared they were TS, but in the back of our minds, we thought, “Uh….okay.  I don’t see it.”   I have, anyway. 

We may be right in doubting them.  But are we right in voicing those doubts?  It depends.  Is it a close friend?  Are they charging blindly toward a cliff?  Do they bring it up?  Or do we?

If it’s a friend, and you’re gentle about it, I think it’s perfectly okay to let them know your reservations.  After all, you may be saving someone from making a big mistake.

But, if it’s someone you don’t know very well, it’s probably best to keep your mouth shut.   And if you’re talking about people in general, it’s even better to completely shut up.  After all, how do we know if someone is TS or not?  Have we walked a mile in their heels? 

To presume someone isn’t TS because we don’t get the “TS vibe” from them, or we don’t think they’ll pass, or because they’re not moving at a speed we think is appropriate, or taking the path we think is right, does not mean someone is not transsexual.   There are as many variations within the TS community as there are individuals.  And I seriously doubt there is one standard, Benjamin, or otherwise, that fits everyone. 

And of course, this goes the other way, but, that’s a blog for another day.

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