Jump to content
  • Welcome to the TransPulse Forums!

    We offer a safe, inclusive community for transgender and gender non-conforming folks, as well as their loved ones, to find support and information.  Join today!

How do I respond?


Aggie1

Recommended Posts

 

It has been said “The best offense is a good defense.”

 

It seems that the prevailing political forces are lined up for the midterms and the battlefield taking shape is Trans Rights.

 

There have been a number of salvos fired recently on both sides of this battlefield.

 

The latest target is Lia Thomas. The latest argument is based on “biology.”

 

The pro trans side says that trans identity is based on biology, hormonal response, brain chemistry, genes that may or may not activate based on environmental conditions, SRY genes, embryonic triggers.

 

The anti trans community argues that the male-female difference is based on biology. XX vs XY.

 

Here are some of the memes that are beginning to spread.

 

During confirmation hearings of the Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, she was asked if she could provide a definition of a woman. She said, “No, I can’t.”  Then she clarified “I’m not a biologist.”  There is a meme going around that shows scenes from Lord of the Rings where the Nazgul says "No man can kill me." Eowyn's response is "I am no man". The Nazgul says "Then what are you?" and she responds with "I don't know. I'm not a biologist."

Another example. Lia Thomas was debated in the stands in a tweet that is going viral

https://twitter.com/madeleinekearns/status/1504541889999085575?s=21

The critical exchange between the opposing parties goes like this:

“Are you a biologist?”

“No, I’m not a vet either. But I know a dog when I see one.”

 

I have a feeling we am going to face an increased level of hyperbolic criticism between now and the midterm elections. How do we prepare mentally for the onslaught? Suggested reading material? Websites? Books? News sources?

 

 

Link to comment

It's also said that the best revenge is living well. Not that I am feeling particularly vengeful, nor am I advocating the cultivation of vengeful feelings. My point is that by living our lives as peaceful and productive citizens, being visible, being ourselves, being truthful, we illustrate our validity. We do not need to be verified by biologists or anyone else. Indeed, if directly attacked we do need to take care of ourselves, and we do need to take care of our trans siblings. I believe there is strength and community. We talk to each other, we lean on each other, we share with each other, and I think what's more convincing than endless and fruitless arguments about the science and medicalization of gender identity is the personal touch of lived individual experiences and narratives. Trans culture is human culture - WE ARE, and we do not need to be clinically proved or established. I wish everyone peace of mind and heart.

Link to comment
51 minutes ago, Vidanjali said:

by living our lives as peaceful and productive citizens, being visible, being ourselves, being truthful, we illustrate our validity.

I agree wholeheartedly. I work in retail and I have quite a few guests come intentionally through my checklane. I am aware that some do know that I am trans, but more importantly they see me as human. 

Link to comment

I agree on tending to what's in our garden and in our control, which is focusing on my relation to people and community as "just another human person", and more, how I treat others whatever politics they have. 

But I do realize it's basically a rhetorical warzone and it's important for me to tell my story and lived experience. It's absurd kids who know they are trans would be forced to go through puberty and then have to then undo it all. And I have experienced the darker side of untreated gender dysphoria. 

Julia Serano has made several of her articles and data free on her Medium site as a resource that covers much of this stuff. 

Link to comment
21 hours ago, Aggie1 said:

 

It has been said “The best offense is a good defense.”

 

It seems that the prevailing political forces are lined up for the midterms and the battlefield taking shape is Trans Rights.

 

There have been a number of salvos fired recently on both sides of this battlefield.

 

The latest target is Lia Thomas. The latest argument is based on “biology.”

 

The pro trans side says that trans identity is based on biology, hormonal response, brain chemistry, genes that may or may not activate based on environmental conditions, SRY genes, embryonic triggers.

 

The anti trans community argues that the male-female difference is based on biology. XX vs XY.

 

Here are some of the memes that are beginning to spread.

 

During confirmation hearings of the Supreme Court nominee Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, she was asked if she could provide a definition of a woman. She said, “No, I can’t.”  Then she clarified “I’m not a biologist.”  There is a meme going around that shows scenes from Lord of the Rings where the Nazgul says "No man can kill me." Eowyn's response is "I am no man". The Nazgul says "Then what are you?" and she responds with "I don't know. I'm not a biologist."

 

Another example. Lia Thomas was debated in the stands in a tweet that is going viral

https://twitter.com/madeleinekearns/status/1504541889999085575?s=21

The critical exchange between the opposing parties goes like this:

“Are you a biologist?”

“No, I’m not a vet either. But I know a dog when I see one.”

 

I have a feeling we am going to face an increased level of hyperbolic criticism between now and the midterm elections. How do we prepare mentally for the onslaught? Suggested reading material? Websites? Books? News sources?

 

 


Dang...this is literally the EXACT thing which triggered my recent mental breakdown; got triggered by the news. ...Thinking I might need to just STOP watching the news...but I like being informed about what's going on in the world...but what's going on in the world right now makes me so angry I feel like I'm going to explode at someone and get arrested, or cut myself and get hospitalized, or abuse substances and get a blood clot. ...I don't know how to deal with everything going on with me right now...and the Radical-Right's bigotry is just like, ONE tiny part of it; but it was the proverbial straw that broke this proverbial camel's back. ...Trying to pull myself back together again. ...Sometimes I don't want to though...sometimes I just wanna let myself lose control and be completely self-destructive, pushing everyone away...sometimes I just wanna watch the world burn and see how bad things can get for me. 😐

Link to comment

What's crazy is that man and woman are matters of definition, not biology. Male/female and man/woman are different things, but it depends on personal definition. For some, they're synonymous, and for others, they're not. And there's always the question of "real" and what does anyone mean by real? What's a "real" man or woman or person? How is "real" defined? 

Short answer: It can't.

Long answer: "Real" can't be defined in this context and the connection between male/female and man/woman can't be defined either because it's all subjective. These concepts have become so socially ingrained that they hold meaning entirely within the social context, but it's impossible to remove them from it without destroying and rendering the terms completely invalid and without meaning. 

So I propose a new argument: The bodily autonomy argument. 

It's your body, and you are entitled to do whatever you deem fit with it. Someone trying to take that control away or roadblock it is in violation of your bodily autonomy. Turn this on someone else and I guarantee you they'll go "It's my body, I do what I want!" Congratulations, you've figured out basic autonomy and choice! Now extend that right (not courtesy, this isn't a suggestion, it's an order) to other people and you've got it! 

And I always find that anyone arguing against transgender people using biology or religion doesn't really have a good argument at all. Being transgender, especially on a chemical and biological level isn't very well understood, and I don't think it will be until we manage to pick apart common threads in every transgender person ever, or have better technology to study the brain. I honestly think trying to find a solid, concrete science in being transgender is a wild goose chase at this point in time, because the information varies wildly from person to person because it's-say it with me now-subjective. Granted, these are my personal views and they may change with new information, and if I said something wrong, please correct me. 

Link to comment
2 hours ago, Sol said:

And there's always the question of "real" and what does anyone mean by real? What's a "real" man or woman or person? How is "real" defined? 

Great question! It’s one of those “absolute “ traps. It’s based on a schoolyard taunt. “A real man would…” it wipes away nuance in a single breath. If “all boy” or “all girl” is the gold standard, where does that put 99.999% of the rest of us!? Are we not “real”? So then what is the underlying reason for differences on the spectrum, because the spectrum is obviously real, since by definition not everyone is all boy, otherwise there would be no point in the taunt. The only thing everyone shares in common is DNA which is unique to everyone, ironically. DNA makes all of us different. And DNA is biology.

 

 

Link to comment
3 hours ago, Nora Michels said:

Trying to pull myself back together again. ...Sometimes I don't want to though...sometimes I just wanna let myself lose control and be completely self-destructive, pushing everyone away...sometimes I just wanna watch the world burn and see how bad things can get for me. 😐

It’s impossible to change the whole world. Sometimes all you can do is change one small detail in your own life. For example, pick a wildflower, put it in a jar on your table and admire it. That wildflower that no one ever noticed before is me! Sometimes that’s all the strength we have to brighten our lives. Does it solve the world’s problems? No. But it brings balance into our own lives, and shifts our focus to something we do control from something we feel we have absolutely no control over.
 

It’s a subtle way to show ourselves respect. It helps to flip the script of those whose arguments are ad hominem and whose intent is to promote self loathing in others. If I see the intent behind the argument for what it really truly is, it breaks the cycle, and I’m less likely to absorb the message and thereby inadvertently do to myself what they want me to-hate myself. At least it works for me. YMMV.

Link to comment
7 hours ago, stveee said:

But I do realize it's basically a rhetorical warzone and it's important for me to tell my story and lived experience.

Bravo well said! 

Link to comment
21 hours ago, BrandiBri said:

some do know that I am trans, but more importantly they see me as human. 

Yes. We can’t let ourselves be gobsmacked by the rhetoric into denying our reality or creating a caricature of our existence. Some would deny not just our identity but our very humanity. I have remind myself I’m not interested in seeking anyones approval. I’m only interested in being the best version of humanity I’m capable of.

Link to comment
22 hours ago, Vidanjali said:

Trans culture is human culture - WE ARE, and we do not need to be clinically proved or established.

This is so well stated! 

Link to comment
  • Who's Online   5 Members, 0 Anonymous, 155 Guests (See full list)

    • Jamey-Heather
    • Ashley0616
    • Lorelei
    • Abigail Genevieve
    • Stefi
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      80.7k
    • Total Posts
      768.4k
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      12,028
    • Most Online
      8,356

    earthpatch
    Newest Member
    earthpatch
    Joined
  • Today's Birthdays

    1. Anyatimenow
      Anyatimenow
      (23 years old)
    2. Aria00
      Aria00
    3. Ava B.
      Ava B.
      (24 years old)
    4. Claire Heshi
      Claire Heshi
    5. CrystalMatthews0426
      CrystalMatthews0426
      (41 years old)
  • Posts

    • Willow
      Mom, I’m home!  What’s for lunch?   Leftover pizza .   ok.    Not exactly our conversation but there is truth in the answer.     @KymmieLsorry you are sick. Feel better soon.   Girl mode, boy mode no mode, not us. Nothing functional for either of us.   anyone here have or had a 10 year old (plus or minus) Caddy, Lincoln or Chrysler?  How was it?  Lots of repairs?  Comfortable seats? Anything positive or negative about it?  I need to replace my 2004 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer, it’s eating $100 dollar bills and needs a couple of thousand dollars worth of work and that doesn’t even fix the check engine code.  Obviously, it isn’t worth putting that kind of money into a 20 year old car with a 174 thousand miles.   Willow
    • Ashley0616
      Oversized pink shirt, pink and black sports bra
    • Abigail Genevieve
      I think you mean the worst possible interpretation of 2025 situation.  Keep in mind that there are those who will distort and downright lie about anything coming from conservatives - I have seen it time and time again.  It's one of the reasons I want to read the thing slowly and carefully.  They want you to be very, very afraid. 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Here is where the expectation is that the stereotypical evangelical comes in finger wagging, disapproving and condemning.    Not gonna do that.   You have to work these things out.  Transgender issues put a whole different spin on everything and God understands what we are going through. I have enough trouble over here.  :)
    • Ivy
      You do you. You seem to be in a safe place if we end up with a 2025 situation.  But a lot of us are not.
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Well, my marriage is different.  I'm actually part of a multi-partner marriage.  Like you see in the Book of Genesis.  My husband has four wives...and me.  I was kind of an accident, as our community sets the "reasonable maximum" at four wives, but that's a long story.  Plural marriage is approved in my faith community, with the exception of spiritual leaders, as described in 1 Timothy 3.  We believe that anything that isn't specifically prohibited is permitted.    The purpose of marriage is for people to work together, demonstrate the love of God, and to have children.  My faith believes in exponential reproduction - big families with lots of kids, both as a blessing and with the intention of using the size of our population for political ends.  Being intersex/trans and unable to bear children, I wouldn't have been a good candidate to be somebody's only spouse (the majority of our community tends toward traditional couple marriage).  Since my husband has other partners, I don't have to worry about the childbearing aspect, and I help out with raising our family's kids.  I'm a "bonus parent."    I'm not 100% open about my intersex/trans nature, although my community's leaders are aware of me.  Being transgender isn't condemned, but it is seen as a health problem derived from an imperfect, fallen world and an environment polluted with chemicals.  Since I'm married, I have a safe place to be, and I can live how I need to live.    I firmly believe the advice given in 1 Corinthians 7.  We don't totally own our bodies.  God gets a say, as I believe He created us to be male or female, not something outside the binary.  I don't think that transition without discussion with partners is OK....again, we don't totally own ourselves.  When I started to figure myself out, that was actually the main thing on my mind - will my partners accept me?  How will my position in the family change?  Since my partners don't really have a problem with the mild version of transition that I wanted to do, it has all been good. 
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Indeed.  While it seems like the majority of LGBTQ+ folks vote for Democrat candidates, not everybody drinks the Kool-Aid.  I'm a registered Independent, since I vote for individuals rather than party.  One of my trans friends is very pro-Trump - wears her MAGA hat and everything.  I find it interesting to see the reactions she gets... folks aren't always as tolerant as they claim to be.  Even on this forum, you get some real flak from Democrat voters....many will insist that the California way is the only way.    In my opinion, "Project 2025" isn't the real problem.  Check out UN "Agenda 2030."   
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      While Biden may be more friendly to trans folks, I'm not a single-issue voter.  I just can't choose a Democrat candidate, as I believe their actions will destroy my community and way of life.  Biden just announced that he wants to significantly increase capital gains taxes.  Maybe he intends to "tax the rich" but that is going to affect everything from land sales to grocery prices to the cost of electricity and even folks' retirement savings, as most companies make a large amount of their profits through investing in the market.  It is absolute lunacy to think that increased cost or reduced profits won't be passed on to the rest of us.  Things are going to get way worse at this rate.    Mostly, I vote in elections for state and local issues, as the national government is about as pleasant as a Porta-Potty in July.  So, either I'll do a write-in vote for president, or I'll check the box for Trump.  Anything but Biden.     
    • awkward-yet-sweet
      Interesting...never knew any of this.  Of course, in my girl form I never got breasts, so I never had to worry about it.  A couple of pieces of tape would have been sufficient...      Sounds like fun   It has been interesting for me since I stopped trying to do sex like a girl.  The real surprise was my relationship with my husband, as he has figured me out pretty well. 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Women's jeans, soft t-shirt that could go either way, flip-flops. 
    • Abigail Genevieve
      They were sitting on the love seat, looking west out over Kansas.  Below them the busy city ran to and fro.   "They called.  My surgery has been rescheduled for May 8.  I need to be there at 5 AM for pre-op.  I start prescriptions and diet change on May 1."   "Okay."  Bob did his not-thinking-about anything look.  Taylor was always amazed that he could  actually be thinking about absolutely nothing. She was always thinking of at least six things.   "How can they be like that?" "What?"  He startled a little.  Contact with reality was reestablished. "Where does the hate come from?  Mrs. McArthur?  She was always polite, but I think she wasn't really.  Somehow she hated me even though there were no indications whatsoever." "Yeah, well, you know they are starting up that plant.  And my company is going ahead with their work there, down n Milliville.   I will have to go down there sometimes." "Oh, Bob." "Maybe I will stop by and ask her." "No." "No.  Cabaret is closed, I have been told.  Your transgender support group has scattered to other places." "What is wrong with those people?" "Same thing as Roosevelt, I guess.  You know all the racial comments against Blacks?  Like that game where our cheerleaders started this insulting cheer, an the opposite team was mostly Black? Teachers stopped it." "I didn't know.  I was staying away from that, remember?" "Yes." "You know all those kids at our church, the ones you called freaks the other day?" "I shouldn't have called them that." "Pastor tells me they are all from all over the Midwest.  These are kids who have been thrown out of their homes and were found on the street.  Other shelters would not take them, so they wound up here." "Not surprising." "I think we could do some good here." "What do you have in mind?" And she told him.
    • EasyE
      You are spot on here ... but also it seems like such a rigged game for the average person that it's hard to invest energy into the political arena -- too much big money controlling too many people/organizations/narratives for the common person to fee; heard...   In general, why we in America accept either candidate is baffling... for all our innovation as a nation, we can't do better than these two bozos?    The problem is, the political arena is such a sham -- again with large money controlling all aspects of the system -- that a common-sense, love-your-neighbor, make-reasonable-compromises, roll-up-your-sleeves-and-get-to-work candidate will never make it anywhere above the local level (if even there)...    Everything is a reality show, and boring ol' decision makers that try to benefit the most people don't generate enough clicks, views and retweets...  I am not sure it is so much about celebrity as it is about party politics at all costs - "my side must always be viewed as right and your side must always be viewed as wrong!" kind of thinking... there is no consensus building anymore because that will get used against you in campaign ads... When Obama took office and then Hilary ran again, it was like all Republicans want to do was to find someone loud enough to put them in their place. Forget issues, forget character, just win a debate and rally the base.    To get back to your original point, not enough of us care about politics ... and in some ways we've become fat, happy and entitled as a nation. The yearning to achieve the "American dream", which drove my parents and their parents before them to work their tails off and sacrifice and save, is now just "give me the American dream for free while I sit here on my phone and watch tiktok..."
    • Abigail Genevieve
      You are in the right place.
    • EasyE
      I am about 5 weeks ahead of you ... best wishes to you! For me it has been subtle changes at most so far (if any) ... but I am also on the "beginner's" level of patch, lol ...    Easy
    • Abigail Genevieve
      Oh, another comment.   I am a conservative evangelical with strong Republican leanings. So is my wife, my friends, my family. I disagree with a good amount of what the Republicans are doing, but there it is.  I understand the mindset, I think, a lot better than those who are outside it do.   When you insult Republicans you insult me, my friends, my family.   People like me can struggle with trans issues.   Please consider that in posting.
  • Upcoming Events

Contact TransPulse

TransPulse can be contacted in the following ways:

Email: Click Here.

To report an error on this page.

Legal

Your use of this site is subject to the following rules and policies, whether you have read them or not.

Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
DMCA Policy
Community Rules

Hosting

Upstream hosting for TransPulse provided by QnEZ.

Sponsorship

Special consideration for TransPulse is kindly provided by The Breast Form Store.
×
×
  • Create New...