Object lesson: How (Not) to be a Jackass

[replicant_rasa]

So last weekend I was at a predominantly queer party; met some people, didn't click with anyone, and after I'd left it occurred to me that this was probably because they were all so damned young. Like, mostly 19 to 21. And I never notice it right away, because they look like adults at that age, but then when I talk to them it's like, "Wow. Your

Comments

[pergamond]

So, random question:

Is saying "I'm not into trans people" different from saying, "I'm straight, so I'm not into women". (Uh, front the point of view of a girl).

It's a genuine question; I don't know the answer.

[replicant_rasa]

It is. Let's see if I can explain it.

You're talking about sexual orientation, and orientation applies to you. You're straight, so you're not into women. I'm gay, so I'm not into women either. Straight guys aren't into dudes, and accordingly, they aren't into me.

Meanwhile, a person's transsexuality is about them, not about you. From an outsider perspective, think of trans as an adjective, one that can occur in combination with literally any other adjective you can apply to a person. Trans men (to use them for an example, since you said you're straight) can be androgynous and feminine or macho like mf'ing linebackers, waif-like hipsters or musclebound bodybuilders, or anything in between. Trans men can be athletes, scifi geeks, intellectuals, fucking morons, artsy types, swishy fags, computer nerds -- anything you could find attractive, there is a trans dude out there who is your typeIt's true, transsexuality can be very obvious (which, yes, you are allowed to not be attracted to, that's fine) but it can also be something that you'

[pergamond]

Hmm yes, I see the argument you're making but isn't it possible to take that further and claim that all sexual preferences (on whatever grounds) are down to that person (i.e. *me* not *you

[pergamond]

So... having re-read your reply more carefully.... I realise that my arguments don't actually contradict what you're saying!

So --the point is-- that if what you're really against is different genitals to the norm, that's what you should come out and say, since there's nothing that applies to all transexual people so it makes no sense.

(Got there in the end!)

Although, to some degree, the second part of my original ramble holds in that men and woman also come in a wide range of shapes and sizes. I've sometimes wondered if it's only society restraints that makes most people pick a gender of preference.

[replicant_rasa]

He did, and explained. It was directed at MTFs because, well, he gay. I stand by my assertion that it's poorly worded and makes him sound like an asshole though.

[ww0308]

>Man, I used to worry about getting older because then all the hot young thangs wouldn't want to date me anymore. It didn't occur to me that I wouldn't want to date them first

[rassaku]

It's not the same though -- the tl;dr version of what I said above boils down to this:

The only thing that all trans dudes have in common is the "wrong" junk (and then sometimes not even that, when we're post-op). So in my opinion, the only legit reason for ruling out trans dudes is if you're ALL ABOUT dick and absolutely can't stand the thought of touching/seeing a vagina. If that describes you, then by all means, go ahead and tell the world up front so nobody wastes their time on you

[ww0308]

Ah, very good point-- the "transsexual = "man in a dress" or "dumpy dyke"" idea is probably all that's behind a lot of those ads.