Ask a MtF TG a question

[stickygirl]

You mean the Ewan Forbes case - Bramblethorn kindly linked to that. Long story short, historical precedents litter UK law, gathering dust until money is at stake. In this case, a greedy cousin wanted the inheritance and the Law lumbered along with a pronouncement. Tbh the dust-covered law needed an update but it was a classic patriarchy stitch up. As ever when it comes to trans issues it's two steps back and one forward and 'just you be grateful for the effort we've made to accommodate your life choices..'

In the last five or six years, it has become more time-consuming getting consent and onto medical waiting lists, even for an initial consultation, but the high court case in 2020 that stopped everything in its tracks for U-16s has now been overturned. The action was directed to the treatment of U-16s, because informed consent, puberty blockers, pushy-parents, trendy fad... Blockers have been in the cross-hairs for the media for a while because NO ONE FUCKING UNDERSTANDS what their purpose is, how they work or what the benefits are. It became a pearl-clutching exercise by haters and greedy lawyers.
Happily
'The appeal court judges stressed that it was established legal principle that “it was for clinicians rather than the court to decide on competence [to consent]”.

Beyond that case, there had been a two year consultation into the Gender Recognition Act, to see how current legislation could be improved. The findings were positive and recommendations made, but the govt basically ignored them. Fuckers. The woman running the show was Liz Truss who is a bitch. Basically they ruled out self-certification and stuck to the bureaucratic, medical route.

Of course once you have been on the waiting lists for an appointment ( often 18mths ) then get into the system and if finally you are approved for surgery, then it is free which is a huge bonus. Faced with that wait and because my family had the means, I had my surgery in Thailand. I had all the initial consults and approvals, just didn't wait and my surgeon is world famously good.

 

[Crios]

Oh no, my bad! I see now what Bramblethorn posted!! Still, this means that an important piece of historic UK jurisprudence is becoming newsworthy enough that it's being repeated in conversation, right?

The one step forward, two steps back is similar here. 2021 has been record-breaking in the number of anti-transgender bills hitting state legislatures, specifically when it comes to bathroom/locker room bans, youth sports bans, and bans or restrictions on trans medical care. I've seen a trend here where the majority of these bills are targeting minors. It's a theme of Protect The Children!! Transness is seen as deviancy, so the solution is to stunt the development of any gender variant children while they are young. Prevent them from accessing the resources they would need to flourish, and discourage them from expressing themselves or seeking help. (By that, I mean there were bills introduced to instruct educators to basically tell parents if they suspect that their children are exhibiting signs of being transgender. You know, so they can pray the trans away or something.)

And of course they would ignore it. These politicians should be required to read brief primers about the hormones and blockers and so on that they have to make decisions on! I'm not in STEM or the legal field, but as a human sexuality historian, I've read about sexual anatomy, law, and medicine. How am I meant to get a full grasp of my own field if I don't touch on others? How do people make decisions without getting informed... Hm... (By not caring, I assume!)

It isn't just the politicians although they are certainly fanning the flames. This past summer, I spent a week at my youngest sister's home that she shares with her fiance. Since we live 400 miles apart, I don't see them much and haven't really gotten to know him. By the time the week was over, I wished I hadn't. Racist, homophobic. transphobic (especially). "Now any guy can call himself a woman and use the women's restrooms to rape our little girls." Un-effingbelievable. So caught up in what right wing politicians and their church leaders are tellling them, they're blind to science and human decency.

Oh, yeah...they're Trumpers too. What a surprise. NOT.

 

[stickygirl]

It may be the last bus stop on Earth, but it's worth the trip

NZ passes self-ID legislation in parliament

 

[stickygirl]

Happy Christmas to all the trans, ND, cis-het and LGBTQI folks here on Lit.
I hope you have a good day, stay healthy, be kind, big love
Sticks

 

[4yourpleasureiam]

Happy Christmas to all the trans, ND, cis-het and LGBTQI folks here on Lit.
I hope you have a good day, stay healthy, be kind, big love
Sticks

Love, Hugs

 

[timreh]

In the UK there is a push to self-determine ones gender ID in terms of legal status, quite apart from any medical issues. I totally understand that push, but at the same time I have some reservations. Perhaps I am biased because I had to jump through the gatekeeping hoops, I couldn't transition physically as early as I would have liked, but the delay did ensure I was certain of my decision, that I had time to firm up my ideas at a time ( in my teens ) when life is a fucking merry-go-round for every kid.

Up until about two years, anyone in Maine, USA who wanted to correct / update their birth certificate, was required by state law to present a surgeon's certificate that one's anatomy had been changed. And pay a hefty fee as well.

Being on HRT for years was not considered acceptable "proof" as far as the state was concerned.

Then they changed the law. Anyone can now submit a specific state form, along with a $15 payment, and the state will correct a birth certificate for gender and / or name. No HRT or surgery or doctor's gatekeeping letter required.

People under the age of 18 have to have a parent or guardian sign off on the form.

Personally, I think the new system is much more humane method of accommodating people's needs and evolution.

 

[coati]

I hope you have a good day, stay healthy, be kind, big love
Sticks

Wishing you joy and happiness during the new year. For some reason I seem to sense that is happening for you. Anyway, I hope it is...

 

[stickygirl]

No spoilers today, but with a huge sigh of relief I've found the final words for a new story. It's going to appear in the 'Pink Orchid' challenge - see the Authors Hangout for details. It's a lesbian themed story of holiday romance with my usual emotional honesty and splash of sex.

Normally I'd be busting with excitement to publish it, but the stories need to be uploaded in February so I'll have to wait. It'll keep. The enforced delay might even make me conjure a new idea so I'll watch the movie Carol this evening and see...

I hope everyone is coping with 2022? I'm partly working from home and we've split our shifts at work to reduce mixing, but the UK govt seems to be throwing in the towel on any restrictions so asdfghjkl ?! wtf

 

[stickygirl]

The ongoing blacking of trans people

There was a news article in the UK today about a(nother) student rape at a university, the victim describing sexual aggression as rife within campus. She was raped on her first night at her new student accommodation.

There was a link from that to an article about violence against transgender people that I can recommend.

The toxic transphobic trope being pushed is that trans women are actually men so it follows they are sexually aggressive so cis gender women need to be protected from 'predators'. The truth is of course is that it is trans women who are the victims, time and time again.

The number of attacks against trans women is not surprising when they are denied jobs, spat at and treated as pariahs. As a result of economic deprivation, they end up in shelters or homeless or turning to prostitution in order to feed themselves - dangerous environments where violence is commonplace.

But the blacking of trans people starts much earlier - at school where they are bullied for being different, reported as difficult by teachers and ostracised at home by family.

The article linked is written by a trans man who has experienced the same treatment for a different set of justifications - typically that trans men are actually women and need to be taught a lesson ( by men ).

Sexual violence is about power, racism is too. The rot starts at home with the whispering, tittle-tattle of older relatives passing on their bigotry in a wrapper called 'concern'. The imaginary boogey man out to get you. It's easier to teach your kids to be suspicious of anyone with a different skin colour, who talks differently, who looks different... It's luddite conservatism terrified of change - the same mindset that put Galileo under house arrest or hounded Turing to death for being gay.

Happy days, huh

 

[coati]

Sexual violence is about power, racism is too.

This past weekend I saw a captivating film about power relationships, called The Power of the Dog. I had no idea what it was about prior to viewing it, but the tension that was built with the music and dialog made it obvious that sexual violence was at the heart of a power struggle. I'm glad I endured the tension and watched the whole film.

Being treated as "different" from a very early age can be so difficult. I wonder if autism is at least partly a social defense mechanism.

 

[stickygirl]

This past weekend I saw a captivating film about power relationships, called The Power of the Dog. I had no idea what it was about prior to viewing it, but the tension that was built with the music and dialog made it obvious that sexual violence was at the heart of a power struggle. I'm glad I endured the tension and watched the whole film.

Being treated as "different" from a very early age can be so difficult. I wonder if autism is at least partly a social defense mechanism.

I wouldn't know if autism could be seen that way. Social dynamics are only one of a number of ways that autism expresses itself in a neurotypical world. If it is a defence mechanism it's crap and needs a rethink!

Always late to the party, I've taken and interest in the Larsson Millenium trilogy, both the books and films. It was amazed to discover that the original book title was not The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but Men who Hate Women. The author's rabbit hole runs deep and he was definitely putting his life experiences into the books.

I could write at length but, y'know, auties never know when to stop So I'll stop there!

 

[coati]

I wouldn't know if autism could be seen that way. Social dynamics are only one of a number of ways that autism expresses itself in a neurotypical world. If it is a defence mechanism it's crap and needs a rethink!

Yeah, I was speaking in terms of what made a main character in the film I saw a survivor rather than a victim.

I was once part of a University group that was assembled to design a building that would house various animals, and we hired an animal behavior expert to review and revise our plans. She had lots of constructive revisions to propose, but some of the men on the design team started getting defensive and protective of their pet ideas. This unusual consultant recognized the push-back she was receiving and she got a curious look on her face, which compounded the defensiveness of these men and made the session even more awkward for a few minutes.

The consultant then simply stated that one of the advantages of her autism was that she did not care whether people accepted her advice. It was a take-it-or-leave-it moment.

 

[AlexBailey]

Yeah, I was speaking in terms of what made a main character in the film I saw a survivor rather than a victim.

I was once part of a University group that was assembled to design a building that would house various animals, and we hired an animal behavior expert to review and revise our plans. She had lots of constructive revisions to propose, but some of the men on the design team started getting defensive and protective of their pet ideas. This unusual consultant recognized the push-back she was receiving and she got a curious look on her face, which compounded the defensiveness of these men and made the session even more awkward for a few minutes.

The consultant then simply stated that one of the advantages of her autism was that she did not care whether people accepted her advice. It was a take-it-or-leave-it moment.

Temple Grandin?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

 

[coati]

Temple Grandin?

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_Grandin

Yes. She really left an impression on me. I saw her again recently on TV talking about how parents can help raise autistic children.

 

[stickygirl]

Yeah, I was speaking in terms of what made a main character in the film I saw a survivor rather than a victim.

Yea, sorry I missed the context in your post, but I've read synopsis of the film now and it looks interesting, thanks.

I was once part of a University group that was assembled to design a building that would house various animals, and we hired an animal behavior expert to review and revise our plans. She had lots of constructive revisions to propose, but some of the men on the design team started getting defensive and protective of their pet ideas. This unusual consultant recognized the push-back she was receiving and she got a curious look on her face, which compounded the defensiveness of these men and made the session even more awkward for a few minutes.

The consultant then simply stated that one of the advantages of her autism was that she did not care whether people accepted her advice. It was a take-it-or-leave-it moment.

That does sound like a Temple Grandin situation as Alex alluded to and Claire Danes is simply fantastic in the role in the film.

I love the part where Temple describes how a horse can see, and senses its environment. As a kid I used to live near a farm that had cows and I was intrigued how you could get a cow to move in a certain direction by ones position to it (her). I was always comfortable round them, never fearful. It's like animals have a radar that continually checks your distance and where the best escape route is (from you). All animals have it, people do as well.
You know how on a busy pavement you can end up walking into someone even though you can both see each other? I play games doing that, but the best way to make someone avoid you is by looking away from them, then they avoid you. Maybe everyone does that anyway, but I notice it. People are like animals that way.

 

[LincolnDuncan]

I wouldn't know if autism could be seen that way. Social dynamics are only one of a number of ways that autism expresses itself in a neurotypical world. If it is a defence mechanism it's crap and needs a rethink!

Always late to the party, I've taken and interest in the Larsson Millenium trilogy, both the books and films. It was amazed to discover that the original book title was not The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, but Men who Hate Women. The author's rabbit hole runs deep and he was definitely putting his life experiences into the books.

I could write at length but, y'know, auties never know when to stop So I'll stop there!

In your opinion, which gender is more biased against trans?

 

[stickygirl]

In your opinion, which gender is more biased against trans?

If you mean transphobic, then men
#notallmen

 

[Crios]

If you mean transphobic, then men
#notallmen

This article describes the sentiments of my transphobic soon-to-be brother-in-law:
(the stupid bathroom argument)

https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2016/12/men-are-much-more-concerned-women-about-transgender-women-using-female-bathro/

 

[stickygirl]

This article describes the sentiments of my transphobic soon-to-be brother-in-law:
(the stupid bathroom argument)

https://www.minnpost.com/second-opinion/2016/12/men-are-much-more-concerned-women-about-transgender-women-using-female-bathro/

Hmmm. I'd qualify what's being said in that article wrt men 'protecting' women in bathrooms. I think men resent women having a space to themselves at all, where they are not able to go, so they experience a loss of control/power as a result. Whatever they might feel about the authenticity of a trans woman, they are annoyed that 'those dudes pretending to be women' can go somewhere they can't. Prove me wrong.

Women have long regarded a restroom as somewhere they can escape a man. If she escaping an argument or avoiding a confrontation then it's a safe space. It's also a space where she may be able to find help and moral support.

I'm sorry but protecting women doesn't wash - they want to control and trans women subvert their autonomy.

 

[LincolnDuncan]

The public restroom argument is bullshit. Everyone should mind their own business.

 

[coati]

People are like animals that way.

I think Temple noticed that from a very early age. She was not attached to the notion that humans are vastly different from other animals.

On the day that our design group met with her, she knew how to lead the "herd" as we walked around the construction site. Just a bunch of animals planning a facility for other animals.

I think the lead character in The Power of the Dog also understood human herd behavior and used it to his advantage.

 

[Crios]

Hmmm. I'd qualify what's being said in that article wrt men 'protecting' women in bathrooms. I think men resent women having a space to themselves at all, where they are not able to go, so they experience a loss of control/power as a result. Whatever they might feel about the authenticity of a trans woman, they are annoyed that 'those dudes pretending to be women' can go somewhere they can't. Prove me wrong.

Women have long regarded a restroom as somewhere they can escape a man. If she escaping an argument or avoiding a confrontation then it's a safe space. It's also a space where she may be able to find help and moral support.

I'm sorry but protecting women doesn't wash - they want to control and trans women subvert their autonomy.

Also, lets not forget that people fear what they don't understand. It's just a short distance from fear to hate. Demagogues have been cultivating fear for thousands of years. Hitler, Stalin, Trump, the Catholic Church all got their supporters to fear marginalized groups in society (LGBTQ, immigrants, Jews, etc.) so that they can turn that fear into hate.

So there's a lot of bigotry to overcome, especially in the U.S.

 

[Crios]

I think the US is a lost cause. Too many religious zealots and it seems to be getting worse instead of better. I live in Texas and it’s got the same mentality as Afghanistan.

Agreed.
I grew up in the 1960s and lived through the Make Love, Not War "generation." I'd had hopes that it would result in a more tolerant, embracing society. Nope. We've learned nothing and the bigots, racists, xenophobes and homophobes have gained even more sway over this nation.

 

[stickygirl]

I agree with the sentiment, but maybe we should steer away from politics or Laurel might dump us over there!

On a more trans theme, I found a couple of articles with comments from Marci Bowers, a leading trans specialist surgeon in the US, and Erica Anderson - a clinical psychologist, both of whom are transgender and question the ease with which puberty blockers can sometimes be dispensed.

It is true that the majority of kids who present with gender dysphoria outgrow it. There should be no hard and fast rules and every case needs careful, expert and peer reviewed examination.

If a potentially transgender youth is so desperate that they have already attempted suicide or are contemplating it, it does not necessarily follow that gender dysphoria is to blame - dysphoria can be a symptom of something else, even a cry for help that surgery can never mend. I never had cause to distrust my clinical experts ( but I guess I would say that huh? ) and I'll continue to listen to their advice, then go away and think about it. Patients and their supporters make the final choices and doctors must respect that, giving them all the facts - good and bad, but give them time and stop rushing.

 

[stickygirl]

I live here too and I would strongly disagree with that statement. You may live in a part of the state that reflects that, sadly. But it's definitely not true of the entire state.

We should let it rest there - both points made. This isn't the place for politics, please so lets move on