LGBTQIA+ Daily Vibe II

[stickygirl]

He seems to conflate the terms transsexual and transgender. Also totally committed to binary thinking.

Oh language, language... When I first came out the word was transsexual ( I was transsexual... ) then I became transgender... Julia Serano's first book Whipping Girl, has the terms transsexual right there on the front cover.
I'm a grammar nazi and words like transgenderism and transgendered make my eyes water but, here we are.

Yeah, he's a bit on the binary, but he's a behaviorial biologist, not a trans spokesperson. I thought his science was interesting.

 

[stickygirl]

I read years ago of a study where men whose index and middle finger were the same length had low testosterone levels…

The stats are inconclusive. The strongest results vaguely suggest that butch lesbians are more likely to have been exposed to higher levels of prenatal androgen. Androgens don't make lesbians, but they might be more butch than they would have. Pretty thin evidence but good fun in the pub. There's also some tests been done with the shape of the ear canal but ... ?!

So what do you mean that trans folks results were the reverse.. once they transitioned then their amygdala size fit the results?

Yes, the science points to the size/shape of the amygdala correlates to the brain sex.

 

[liqueur]

Oh language, language... When I first came out the word was transsexual ( I was transsexual... ) then I became transgender...

I've understood the two words to have different meanings. The first being very specifically binary, whereas the second has become an umbrella term referring to all sorts of queer folk, specifically include nonbinary. Please don't tell me I'm wrong once again. Oh, language, language...!

Yeah, he's a bit on the binary, but he's a behaviorial biologist, not a trans spokesperson. I thought his science was interesting.

I found it interesting also. But I really stumbled over the binary assumptions. When well-respected scientific work has shown pretty conclusively that gender is not as simple as X and Y, and then I hear about work that seems to assume that it is that simple, I want to hear a lot more: If you (by which, i mean, he) are saying these other studies are invalid, then please say so, and say why. But don't just ignore them.

On the other hand, I missed the dates. Maybe when he was delivering this lecture, the studies on the many-varied combinations of X and Y chromosomes hadn't even been published yet.

 

[stickygirl]

I've understood the two words to have different meanings. The first being very specifically binary, whereas the second has become an umbrella term referring to all sorts of queer folk, specifically include nonbinary. Please don't tell me I'm wrong once again. Oh, language, language...!

I found it interesting also. But I really stumbled over the binary assumptions. When well-respected scientific work has shown pretty conclusively that gender is not as simple as X and Y, and then I hear about work that seems to assume that it is that simple, I want to hear a lot more: If you (by which, i mean, he) are saying these other studies are invalid, then please say so, and say why. But don't just ignore them.

On the other hand, I missed the dates. Maybe when he was delivering this lecture, the studies on the many-varied combinations of X and Y chromosomes hadn't even been published yet.

It was from a lecture 14 years ago, when being trans was still a matter of curiosity to most.

I see what you mean, but I think, given the speed with which he covers a huge range of topics, it means that this was part of a longer introductory lecture ( longer version here I think ) to students already familiar with many of the biological terms. His content is intended to make his students thinks, he challenges, throws ideas into the air as if to say 'Go out and do your own research'. I'm not seeking to defend him - I've never heard of him before, but I found his matter-of-fact discussion of ejaculation, orgasm, marriage... compelling. I'll watch it through again in the light of your observations, so thanks for your questions.

ETA
He only adds a mention of the neurobiology of trans brain within the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis ( woo! ) [1:25:04] It's a part of the amygdala that was shown to reliably correlate to the perceived sex of the trans person. It's size was shown to be not affected by hormones, because the sample included post-mortem brain studies of individuals who had and had not undergone hormonal treatments ( It's function in regulating emotions has not been studied ).

I don't think the scope of the lecture had room for looking at a spectrum of gender, which is the expression of sex. Gender cannot be determined by post mortem studies - only biological structures. I agree with you that gender is a spectrum, not binary.

He does mention phantom limb syndrome... [1:28:50] Where a man develops penile cancer, he normally has the penis removed but then suffers phantom penile sensations. When the same excision is performed on trans women, they do not. I concur.

 

[liqueur]

I think, given the speed with which he covers a huge range of topics, it means that this was part of a longer introductory lecture ( longer version here I think ) to students already familiar with many of the biological terms. His content is intended to make his students thinks, he challenges, throws ideas into the air as if to say 'Go out and do your own research'

Thank you. Yes, fascinating; and 14 years ago in itself explains a lot. Thanks for the second link. I will give it a listen.

 

[ClockworkCourtesan]

Haven't been on in a long while. Pulling in tons of overtime at work. I have my FFS on the 19th and will be off work for 4 weeks, trying to save enough to cover bills for 6 weeks. My work sponsored insurance is picking up the tab. I have to pay something like 0.001% of the cost as a deductible. I'm a happy girl.

 

[stickygirl]

Haven't been on in a long while. Pulling in tons of overtime at work. I have my FFS on the 19th and will be off work for 4 weeks, trying to save enough to cover bills for 6 weeks. My work sponsored insurance is picking up the tab. I have to pay something like 0.001% of the cost as a deductible. I'm a happy girl.

We'll be thinking of you xx

 

[stickygirl]

JK Rowling really is a piece of sh*t

 

[coati]

JK Rowling really is a piece of sh*t

She's on the boycott list, and the word is spreading throughout school systems.

 

[stickygirl]

She's on the boycott list, and the word is spreading throughout school systems.

It's okay for people to read her books, but make sure they're second hand - then she doesn't get a cent

 

[coati]

It's okay for people to read her books, but make sure they're second hand - then she doesn't get a cent

One of my three granddaughters keeps me informed. When kids learn about that POS's actions, they are moving on to ethically responsible authors. They now also refuse to patronize her spinoff merchandise.

Kids are growing up faster these days. Pre-teens are more than willing to dump the Potter series after they learn about Rowling's total absence of empathy.

 

[coati]

Oh, and my current vibe:

Listening to the sound of my ceiling fan spinning in the early morning darkness.

Wearing my glasses and a sheet.

Mood is ready to take action.

 

[stickygirl]

I posted references earlier lectures to students by Robert Sapolsky at Stanford 14 years ago. Those are amazing and entertaining lectures I've watched right through and I'd recommend them.
A more recent set of videos tackles questions sent in; hosted by his daughter and Robert gives his answers. I've linked to this one, where he answers the question about the trans brain. His final summary surprised me a little.... shows what I know! Join the video question at 19:49

TLDR? Here ...

 

[Zrosey]

Not like I've been on Lit very long, but even in my short time here it feels like changes. I know it is a sex forum and all that entails, and hey, I'm all for sex! Consensual sex and love between partners is a beautiful thing!
I also know as a transgender soul I am a minority here.

More and more I feel like I read about fantasies involving deliriously beautiful trans women that are fully functional as a cis male....each to their thing I guess but that is way outta my reality
Maybe this isn't the place for me...still, there are some amazing people I've met and had exchanges with, I'm thankful for that.

Listening to: KEXP
Mood: adrift
Wearing: shorts an T

 

[stickygirl]

Not like I've been on Lit very long, but even in my short time here it feels like changes. I know it is a sex forum and all that entails, and hey, I'm all for sex! Consensual sex and love between partners is a beautiful thing!
I also know as a transgender soul I am a minority here.

More and more I feel like I read about fantasies involving deliriously beautiful trans women that are fully functional as a cis male....each to their thing I guess but that is way outta my reality
Maybe this isn't the place for me...still, there are some amazing people I've met and had exchanges with, I'm thankful for that.

Listening to: KEXP
Mood: adrift
Wearing: shorts an T

Gah - KEXP

As for the trans-nonsense that gets posted... I think it'll only get worse with AI. Let me know when you find something better.... Maybe a Discord server would suit our vibe better?

Listening to KEXP and looking for new musicians
Mood: resigned
Wearing Fleece top, jeans

 

[Zrosey]

Gah - KEXP

and I thought KEXP was just a northwest thing!!!
I'll keep you posted

 

[BillyWalrus]

More and more I feel like I read about fantasies involving deliriously beautiful trans women that are fully functional as a cis male.

Exactly what they are - fantasies. Most of them will never go beyond that. Of course there are trans women like my girlfriend who has never taken hormones and is content to be fully functional. However she is a true unicorn.

 

[stickygirl]

and I thought KEXP was just a northwest thing!!!
I'll keep you posted

I've discovered any number of musicians through the station. When I get bored of my library, that's where I go to find new artists - it's brilliant. I think originally I found it through Wolf Alice doing a set there and the presenter ( Cheryl ) is just lovely.
Mood: reminiscent
Listening to : Wolf Alice
Wearing: jamas

 

[AlexBailey]

Sometimes everything good falls into place.

Life has been crazy busy lately - lots of work and travel and various fun events. I’ve been away from Lit for a bit, largely because I’ve been finding the community I’ve been looking for IRL.

A recent weekend found me as a plus-one guest of a trans-masc friend to a kink-friendly trans-community camp-out pool and hot tub party. There were probably > 45 trans and queer folks, lots of yummy food, drink, music, costumes, poets, artists, writers, activists…

I was talking with a young trans woman for a while before we realized we knew each other. She had been friends with my (now adult) kids back in grade school before she came out and had spent a lot of time at our home many years ago. I’ve known her parents since her mom was pregnant with her. She was a quiet and pretty boy, now a vivacious and confident young woman.

There was lots of sharing of experiences and scars. Many folks were stealth trans while many others like me were unmistakably queer. Nearly everyone was swimming and naked at some point but it still wasn’t safe to assume how anyone identified. The most reliable visual indicator was probably facial and body hair; trans-femmes were mostly electrolyzed plucked or shaven, trans-mascs proudly displayed whatever they could grow.

I hadn’t been to an entirely LGBTQ party since hanging out with a my lesbian activist crew thirty some years ago. This was a much needed homecoming.


Lying in bed, reminiscing while dreading the coming alarm and start of another busy work day.

 

[liqueur]

More and more I feel like I read about fantasies involving deliriously beautiful trans women that are fully functional as a cis male....

All thanks to porn. One of the defining features of “the modern era” seems to be the extreme extent to which reality (or in many cases, such as this one, people's illusion of reality) follows fiction.

Maybe this isn't the place for me...

I sure hope you stick around. It brightens my day when i see your posts pop up in my notifications

 

[BillyWalrus]

All thanks to porn. One of the defining features of “the modern era” seems to be the extreme extent to which reality (or in many cases, such as this one, people's illusion of reality) follows fiction.

I sure hope you stick around. It brightens my day when i see your posts pop up in my notifications

Yes.

 

[Zrosey]

There were probably > 45 trans and queer folks, lots of yummy food, drink, music, costumes, poets, artists, writers, activists…

This sounds like such an amazing time! To be surrounded by others on the spectrum, able to just be, without the usual anxiety of how safe am I?
It makes me really happy imagining gatherings like this

 

[Zrosey]

Where I live has been pretty rainy an wet since I've been back. Happily the past day or so have been pretty nice and this next week is forecast partly sunny so took advantage and out in the country for a sweet hike!
No bears, and the berries were awesome! Purple hands all around

 

[stickygirl]

Where I live has been pretty rainy an wet since I've been back. Happily the past day or so have been pretty nice and this next week is forecast partly sunny so took advantage and out in the country for a sweet hike!
No bears, and the berries were awesome! Purple hands all around


View attachment 2563559

Oh the berries and wild fruit!! Yesss. I took a walk recently and ate blackberries from the hedge, pears from an old tree in a field and damsels from a branch overhanging the path in the village. Then I had a tomato from the garden. Hunter gatherer... but no hunting.
There were even plums in the bedroom

 

[_valkyrie_]

Greetings,

I typically do not wander far from my usual haunt in the Playground, but today, as I was mindlessly browsing around, I thought to check out this thread, which escaped me entirely. Not difficult, given the swarm to waddle about.

My visits to the general LGBTQIA+ forum have been very few and far between. The atmosphere doesn't feel quite right to me on the account of... all of it.

So, here I am, dipping my toes into the waters of this seemingly calm and collected thread, much more akin to my personal tastes. I hope to discover some engaging conversations.

I reckon I have some catching up to do if for some discussing.