Ask a transsexual anything

[KichigaiNeko]

Getting back on to the TOPIC of this thread!


I hear the words "transgender" and "transsexual" used some what interchangeably. Are both words correct? Or is it just ...say like ...Tomato and Tomatoe?

[TaraJo]

Yeah, most people don't really get that 'gender' and 'sex' are different things simply because in their little circle of life, their gender and sex match each other. Not so for me. Gender is a psychological thing and sex is a biological function. So, while I admit, my biological sex is male, my gender identity is female.

Getting back on to the TOPIC of this thread!


I hear the words "transgender" and "transsexual" used some what interchangeably. Are both words correct? Or is it just ...say like ...Tomato and Tomatoe?

Thanks for the anti-derail here.

And no, the terms aren't exactly the same. "Transgender" is an umbrella term that applies to anyone outside gender norms. "Transsexual" is someone who has a biological birth sex that differs from their gender identity. Generally, if you're transsexual, you're also transgendered but not all transgendered people are transsexual. Drag queens/kings, cross dressers and intersexed people all fall under the big umbrella of 'transgender.'

[Brian37]

Yeah, most people don't really get that 'gender' and 'sex' are different things simply because in their little circle of life, their gender and sex match each other. Not so for me. Gender is a psychological thing and sex is a biological function. So, while I admit, my biological sex is male, my gender identity is female.

Getting back on to the TOPIC of this thread!


I hear the words "transgender" and "transsexual" used some what interchangeably. Are both words correct? Or is it just ...say like ...Tomato and Tomatoe?

Thanks for the anti-derail here.

And no, the terms aren't exactly the same. "Transgender" is an umbrella term that applies to anyone outside gender norms. "Transsexual" is someone who has a biological birth sex that differs from their gender identity. Generally, if you're transsexual, you're also transgendered but not all transgendered people are transsexual. Drag queens/kings, cross dressers and intersexed people all fall under the big umbrella of 'transgender.'

Thank you for making that clarification.

[KichigaiNeko]

Yeah, most people don't really get that 'gender' and 'sex' are different things simply because in their little circle of life, their gender and sex match each other. Not so for me. Gender is a psychological thing and sex is a biological function. So, while I admit, my biological sex is male, my gender identity is female.

Well that makes much more sense. I'll plead guilty to shallow research.

Getting back on to the TOPIC of this thread!

I hear the words "transgender" and "transsexual" used some what interchangeably. Are both words correct? Or is it just ...say like ...Tomato and Tomatoe?

Thanks for the anti-derail here.

No worries. You live in a "world" I know nothing about and this is one way to get an individuals perspective first hand.

And no, the terms aren't exactly the same. "Transgender" is an umbrella term that applies to anyone outside gender norms. "Transsexual" is someone who has a biological birth sex that differs from their gender identity. Generally, if you're transsexual, you're also transgendered but not all transgendered people are transsexual. Drag queens/kings, cross dressers and intersexed people all fall under the big umbrella of 'transgender.'

Transgender... the umbrella term; could this also cover Bi-sexuals?

[TaraJo]

Transgender... the umbrella term; could this also cover Bi-sexuals?

Some bisexuals (like myself) fall into the transgender umbrella, but it's separate from the bisexuality. You can be bisexual and, otherwise, perfectly gender conforming.

But, then, when you have an umbrella term like that, who's in and who's out gets a little fuzzy. Me, I say, whoever wants to apply the title 'transgender' to themselves is more than welcome to do it. I'd rather live under a big tent than a small one.

[KichigaiNeko]

Hmm. So the whole LGBT- "label" (for want of a better word) is the big tent?

To be honest, I look forward to the day when gender and sexuality don't require "labels" and people are accepted just as they are.

[John V]

A biologist would have no idea what gender is since it isn't his subject, a sociologist on the other hand would have every understanding what our current gendering has to do with masculinity and femininity.

But, how can you define masculine and feminine without reference to biology, and without being completely circular?

[Brian37]

A biologist would have no idea what gender is since it isn't his subject, a sociologist on the other hand would have every understanding what our current gendering has to do with masculinity and femininity.

But, how can you define masculine and feminine without reference to biology, and without being completely circular?

Simple, do you eat pizza everyday 3 times a day? Do you only drink water? Evolution is all about variety and individuals are not stagnant. I am not the same person I was when I was a kid. Sexuality is a range, not an absolute.

I hate any type of script thinking. "Butch" lesbians are women as much as any "feminine" lip stick woman. People think I am gay when I am not, because I am sensitive and cry. I hate it when assholes say "BE A MAN".

Lots of "MEN" are assholes, like Stalin and Hitler and Sadamn. What is between your legs will not make you automatically good or bad. The political or religious labels one holds will not make one automatically good or bad.

[John V]

I hate any type of script thinking. "Butch" lesbians are women as much as any "feminine" lip stick woman.

Why? What do they share besides biology? You seem to be proving my point.

[Something completely different]

What is your favorite meal?

Do you like turtles?