Transsexuals:Are GLBT's just uneducated or unwilling to be openminded?

Question

It saddens me that even within this community transsexuals are still outsiders and often not accepted.I am a transsexual male.I was assigned f/m at birth and raised as such.Before I was old enough to start school I knew I was a boy.I am not a female now, nor have ever been.My gender and my sexuality are two SEPERATE issues.I live my life (private and public) as male If you met me in person youd have no reason to suspect otherwise.I look like any other beefed up guy.I identify as homosexual.I have sex with men only. I have sex with another man the same way any other man does.When a transsexual male is attracted to women he is straight.When attracted to males he is Gay Most transsexual women have surgery done to remove biological genitals.Most transsexual men have breast tissue removed.I do not need or even want anyones approval otherwise I'd still be waiting and wouldnt be where I am today.I want the same thing you want. Respect http://levi-murray.tripod.com/oneboisjourney/index.html

Online I often get accused of coming across angry. and 9 x out10 its not anger at all.Alot of times Im just dead serious.and thats often precieved as anger by folks who dont know me in real life. Personalities are just hard to see through words.As far as the disrespect I am speaking of, It is disrespect of transfolks in general that is upsetting to me.Nothing to do with me being disrespected. In real life most people I deal with have no idea I was not born a man, So I dont face the struggles many do.I havnt faced any hatred directed at me personally from this site ( that I know of LOL or any other... However it does get to me to watch the comments that are intentionally degrading to transsexual women being made by fellow confessed GLBT's nearly every day since I signed up on July 8th.This post was not written out of anger.More out of helplessness if anything..its hard to sit by and watch people get hurt..I defend my fellow gay Family. and I will defend my trans family too

Answer 1

I'll address the personal first. I know it sucks to see that kinda stuff anywhere, and especially somewhere where it's from someone who's supposed to be in the same fight with you. (Are you SURE it wasn't just one of the many trolls that wander through here?) But I would say that this is one place where you can't take anything too seriously. People here suck.

Regarding the more general question: fact is, there's still a LOT of people who don't know what the "T" actually means. Even those that know what it stands for. I don't need to tell you the difference between gender identity and sexual orientation, but I'll re-emphasize that they ARE different movements that are closely allied. They do have different issues etc. And, speaking from a social standpoint, the trans-movement is a couple years behind. I'm not saying that's anyone's "fault" (it just got started a little bit later, I think), or that that excuses anyone's behavior. But transphobia is still more socially acceptable than homophobia.

You say you're not angry. I say: you SHOULD be. I'm sorry you've been getting hassle from people; online, try not to let it bother you. Elsewhere, let it light a fire under your *** to keep up the fight.

Answer 2

HUSKYMOM up there is what hatred is all about.
She is SO much better than other people.

...and you should have all the respect that everyone else wants.

I was lucky enough to take a psychology class at a local junior college where my professor was male-to-female. She told us the first day of class and suspected 50% of the class would not return the next day. She was right.

I learned all about Gender Disphoria and I understand where you are coming from. Unfortunately you will find some bigotry and misunderstanding in all communities, but I can see where the GLBT community would hurt you the most. Gay people can sometimes be terrible to others, especially their own kind, and sometimes worse when it comes to sub-groups in their community.

Just remember there are many of us who understand or at least care about you regardless of what parts your body has.

Answer 3

If I were to meet you, I would base my respect and friendship on you as a person, not a transsexual...I would have no idea...and personally, I wouldn't care really. IF I were to meet you and be attracted to you, and you were to me, we would get it on. I would not feel the need for you to share your life's experiences what so ever, as I would not feel the need to share mine. Why are you so "on edge" about this? I have known MANY transsexuals in my life, all have been MTF changes, and have felt and treated them as women..no bias, nothing but me a guy, and they, a gal. I am not sexually interested in gals, so the friendship would be just that. IF you want the same thing as I have, you have it from me..you have gone through hell to be who and what you are...that says a lot about you as a person. But, may I suggest that it might be you who is creating the problem. Your question's tone is somewhat confrontational. Perhaps you may have a small chip on your shoulder...I wouldn't understand the chip if you were to meet me. With the attitude you MAY have, I would probably pass you by, for I just don't need problems in my life. Put down your anger and see what happens. It is not your responsibility to educate those about you..Gays already understand where you are coming from. NO ONE, Gay or straight, is attracted to all people. That is a very personal thing no one can explain. But, if you are a hunky guy, I would probably be attracted. My sexual practices are such that it would make no difference to me, I would just want you to be able to get off, or at least enjoy me during sex. Simple enough? Good luck and peace.

Answer 4

As a gay man, I don't really know the appropriate response. I acknowledge transsexuals I meet but no more than I would any one else. Maybe it is living in a larger city, there are few things about dress or attitude that surprise me.
And yet by not responding, I hope you wouldn't think I was not acknowledging your worth or your struggle.
I wish you the best.

Answer 5

I don't believe they are unwilling to be openminded. I know quite a few FTM/xxboys and maybe its just the environment I live in (NYC) but I don't know many people who have a a problem with it. I know some people are confused so I would say they are more or less uneducated on FTM/xxboys and MTF ppl of the LGBT community.

Answer 6

I loved your web site and found it fascinating. I hope you have the happiest that life has to offer you! I won't pretend to understand the life a transexual leads prior and after changing. That is in no way a critical statement. I simply mean that until you have walked a mile in someone's shoes how could anyone have room to pass judgement on someone?!?! I wish you the very best!!!

Answer 7

If you assume that the people who you've had bad expierances are all the same in judging you, then you're just as bad as the people who judged you.

I mean, I'm in the gay community or whatever, and I'm very open minded, but I've even knew people who hated me because I don't like effeminate guys which was so stupid, so I know what you mean too.

Some people are just stupid regardless of their sexuality, haha.

Answer 8

Levi You sound like you are a together person and you should be proud of who you are. The GLBT are sometimes as uninformed as the general public seems to be. I totally understand that you are male and gay. :)

Answer 9

i'm gay, and i'm perfectly accepting of every variation in gender, sexuality, and sex.

it saddens me as well to think that there are gay, lesbian, bisexual, and other sexuality-queer people who are transphobic. i would think that we, of all people, would understand what transgender [including transsexual] people go through, but somehow there are people in the community who don't.

this problem will be rectified in time as the transgender community gets more visibility.

Answer 10

As Christians, we don't need to be openminded and we are not uneducated. We think you are living an un-Christian lifestyle, one that God doesn't condone. The same would be said of someone who is gay, someone who is a bigamist, or someone who an Athiest. You may be a great friend, sister, daughter, whatever, but your lifestyle is not right. Christians are standing by their morals and will be looked upon with love and approval by God in doing so.