The "YIN and YANG" of Gender Expression

[Guest Juniper Blue]

Hi All,

I have been thinking a lot about the courage that it takes to be vulnerable and how it is essential to be vulnerable to live authentically ( spurred by watching Doctor Brene' Brown on TED Talks.)

Courage = The ability to Express Vulnerability

I guess this example reinforces my feeling that gender( at least for me) is fluid and on a continuum and that balance is obtained when we find the "counterbalances" that are right for us.

I can think of other examples ... for instance children who are nurtured grow to be strong and confident.

Anyway . if anyone has something to add I would love to hear what you have to contribute.

Hugs,

JB

[Guest Elizabeth K]

Well, becoming a full woman makes me vulnerable physically by default, I know. I have already chosen to let the HRT work it's magic as well. I could never fight off a determined man - for example - that kind of vulnerability.

But all my life I have been very vulnerable emotionally, but I did repress my female ways by playacting. So how do I answer?

I don't think I can answer. Vulnerability is just naturally too much of how I am, especially now.

And I am a person who separates vulnerability from being strong and confident. To me it is two sides of the same coin - and my coin was minted female.

Lizzy

[Guest Pamela5]

I have always felt vulnerable because of my small stature and feminine appearance and I certainly feel physically venerable as a 5'7' 130 lb woman with female strength. Of course we all are very vulnerable when we come out to the world. I am now emotionally vulnerable as an estrogen filled woman; I cry easily and do not like to see anyone get hurt. That is who I am as a woman. I do not feel vulnerable the way I use to because I no longer worry about being found out because I now have a beautiful functional vagina and function fully as a female. All of us who have been through this tough process however have emotional strength or we could not have made it.

[Guest Juniper Blue]

Great posts Lizzie and Pamela .. I love the coin metaphor. Thanks.

[Guest agfrommd]

My biggest gender issue is forming friendships. I'm a male-bodied androgyne but I find my most satisfying friendships occur with people where we both can be emotionally vulnerable. The more you're willing to open up to someone and risk being judged, the more trust will be in the friendship when, in the end, you are not judged.

This is what forced me to face my gender issues - realizing that this made me different from most males I met who were unwilling or incapable (or lacking the COURAGE) to enter into those types of friendships.

Great topic, Juniper.

[Guest aleon515]

I saw this youtube video where the transguy talks about how he was asked to have photos of his complete transition (from childhood). He didn't like it, but he commented that he would need to become more vulnerable in order to educate people. I thought it was interesting comment.

--Jay Jay