Hey, it's better than things stand now! Especially for me, I'm from Ohio which is one of three states that refuses to change birth certificates no matter how complete a transition.
The problem with the way most states do birth certificate changes is that most transfolk are on hormones long before they have any kind of surgery, and the change-of-I.D. stuff always goes based on surgery. Having ID that doesn't match presentation is much more than an annoyance: it's fucking dangerous.
I think the way the article is written is lousy, and I think it makes it sound like you can change the gender on your birth certificate on a whim, BUT I think making it by self-determination or even based on presentation would be a much safer option than the way things stand now.
Oh, the article itself is not too bad. As you say, it's kind of clumsily written. But it's not bad. And the general concept is wonderful!
It's the comments in the thread that are pissing me off. I know, that's probably just ignorance too, and I don't want to seem too hostile. But it really really pisses me off that people can say things like this! And label the whole thread "stupid". What can I say that won't make me look like just another angry queer with an agenda?
Sorry about that - that'll teach me to read posts when I'm half-asleep!
It's really sad that I've gotten so used to ignorant comments like that. They're not hostile as much as just genuinely ignorant...and considering how many times a day I get asked by classmates "So when are you getting the, erm, the surgery?" or 'So you want a dick now?" etc., the ignorant comments to the post aren't that bad.
It's sad that these remarks are so common. I wonder if there are some good websites out there that detail what "the surgery" really entails and why people wouldn't necessarily want it. I know there are some, and I'm going to go digging to see if I can find agian some things I've run across before, but I really wish I didn't have to.
What really worries me is that even though I'm on that board a lot, nobody knows I'm queer. So it might degenerate into "Well, what business is it of yours?" and then "Well, of course you'd take that side, you [insert deragatory term of your choice for female queer person here]." Not long ago there was a thread or two (or five billion) about gay marriage, for example, and I managed to keep from saying I have a dog in this fight. I know that as soon as you do let that slip, people immidiatly dismiss everything you say.
Is there a way to approach things like this both without hiding yourself and without making everything you say suddenly irrelvant?
The problem with the way most states do birth certificate changes is that most transfolk are on hormones long before they have any kind of surgery, and the change-of-I.D. stuff always goes based on surgery. Having ID that doesn't match presentation is much more than an annoyance: it's fucking dangerous.
I think the way the article is written is lousy, and I think it makes it sound like you can change the gender on your birth certificate on a whim, BUT I think making it by self-determination or even based on presentation would be a much safer option than the way things stand now.
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It's the comments in the thread that are pissing me off. I know, that's probably just ignorance too, and I don't want to seem too hostile. But it really really pisses me off that people can say things like this! And label the whole thread "stupid". What can I say that won't make me look like just another angry queer with an agenda?
Reply
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It's really sad that I've gotten so used to ignorant comments like that. They're not hostile as much as just genuinely ignorant...and considering how many times a day I get asked by classmates "So when are you getting the, erm, the surgery?" or 'So you want a dick now?" etc., the ignorant comments to the post aren't that bad.
Okay, now I feel even more sad...
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What really worries me is that even though I'm on that board a lot, nobody knows I'm queer. So it might degenerate into "Well, what business is it of yours?" and then "Well, of course you'd take that side, you [insert deragatory term of your choice for female queer person here]." Not long ago there was a thread or two (or five billion) about gay marriage, for example, and I managed to keep from saying I have a dog in this fight. I know that as soon as you do let that slip, people immidiatly dismiss everything you say.
Is there a way to approach things like this both without hiding yourself and without making everything you say suddenly irrelvant?
Reply
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