The feminism/equality thread

[Hula]

Hula, do you identify as transgender or transsexual?

Transgender. The definitions I've been socialised with always make me feel like 'transgender' is more of an umbrella term for people who identify outside their birth gender, whereas 'transsexual' to me feels more like what I'd be if I took steps to change my body (my sex) to be more like the gender I identify with. As for whether or not I'll actually do that, hah. It was a big enough deal coming to terms with the fact that all those years of trying to be a 'normal' girl were a waste of time and energy.

[theruiner]

Transgender. The definitions I've been socialised with always make me feel like 'transgender' is more of an umbrella term for people who identify outside their birth gender, whereas 'transsexual' to me feels more like what I'd be if I took steps to change my body (my sex) to be more like the gender I identify with. As for whether or not I'll actually do that, hah. It was a big enough deal coming to terms with the fact that all those years of trying to be a 'normal' girl were a waste of time and energy.

Not to stray too far off topic (sorry), but I'm with you on that one. I use 'transgender' even though I might end up being a 'transsexual,' but until I'm actually sure that's what it is, and not some other gender disorder, I just use the word transgender, because it's an umbrella term.