on trans words and experiences
http://birdofparadox.wordpress.com/2009/01/24/trans-woman/
A great post on why 'trans woman' not 'transwoman' (or trans man).
Plus, a new word which explains clearly a concept I've always had a hard time articulating: gender dissonance. Not the same as the traditional psychological term 'dysphoria', which is about an internal response to external conditions, but instead actually about the inner discomfort that comes from having an internal sense of self which doesn't match one's own physical body. It has always bugged me that the established model talked about the discomfort trans people experience as having its origins in what other people think, as the major factor, rather than the internal 'this isn't me' experience. !
I am thankful to the people doing this work and sharing their insights.
The post will be useful for my not-sermon, too.
Reminds me of another intriguing bit... I went to a Buddhism panel at Furcon. One person spoke of a trans friend who opted to 'stay with' their discomfort rather than actually transition (and managed to do so). I don't doubt one could learn interesting things on that path as well. Obviously not my choice, but.... interesting.
A great post on why 'trans woman' not 'transwoman' (or trans man).
Plus, a new word which explains clearly a concept I've always had a hard time articulating: gender dissonance. Not the same as the traditional psychological term 'dysphoria', which is about an internal response to external conditions, but instead actually about the inner discomfort that comes from having an internal sense of self which doesn't match one's own physical body. It has always bugged me that the established model talked about the discomfort trans people experience as having its origins in what other people think, as the major factor, rather than the internal 'this isn't me' experience. !
I am thankful to the people doing this work and sharing their insights.
The post will be useful for my not-sermon, too.
Reminds me of another intriguing bit... I went to a Buddhism panel at Furcon. One person spoke of a trans friend who opted to 'stay with' their discomfort rather than actually transition (and managed to do so). I don't doubt one could learn interesting things on that path as well. Obviously not my choice, but.... interesting.