I adored reading this, Robin. I had to pause a few times because I resonated with it so hard. "It left me with disordered eating and depression and anxiety," "I might never have needed top surgery." Both of those - oof, yes. I have clear memories as a child of euphoria when I was "mis"gendered as a boy and the heartbreak I felt when my mom would correct someone and say I was her daughter, and it still took me until last year to finally use the word trans to describe myself. I've been thinking a lot lately about how things would have or could have been different for me growing up and in my early adult years had someone actually paid attention to things like that euphoria and asked me questions instead of just saying I was a tomboy or I'd grow out of it. It felt so good to read this. The firmness with which you explain the realities of being trans, but also the humor you bring to it! I snorted when I read "'What if that trans kid regrets transitioning? OMG, detransitioning??' Hey, be kind." Thank you for writing this!
Reed, I am so glad this found its way to you! I had so many of those little moments as a child, most notably telling adults how fond I was of beards and what mine would look like when I grew up... Those conversations didn't go so well!!
Oof, I can imagine! I love that you were fond of beards as a kid! I started talking about my love of beards and what I wished mine would be if I could have grown one in high school and college (even in the GSA, folks seemed to think of this as a funny quirk rather than a gender thing xD).
It’s such a shame people can’t simply have the freedom to be who they are. I hope the day will come when everyone is just respected, no matter what. It’s not that hard, really.
A well written essay that explains things I did not know about transgender people. What a shame it is that we live in a society where some of us are not able to be who we truly are. I for one am very tired of certain groups trying to push their agenda on others.
Thanks Robin. You've got a friend here and I support you. As I have said many times we all have to be who we are. If other people don't like us that is their problem not ours.
Such a great primer, and such valuable information. Thank you so much for sharing and for being so open about your experiences and advocating for others to be aware of their options!
I think there’s definitely a huge cross section of people who appreciate having things broken down like that. Of course, another cross section needs to hear it but won’t (a) seek out the info or (b) engage with it even when it’s right in their face. 😔
I adored reading this, Robin. I had to pause a few times because I resonated with it so hard. "It left me with disordered eating and depression and anxiety," "I might never have needed top surgery." Both of those - oof, yes. I have clear memories as a child of euphoria when I was "mis"gendered as a boy and the heartbreak I felt when my mom would correct someone and say I was her daughter, and it still took me until last year to finally use the word trans to describe myself. I've been thinking a lot lately about how things would have or could have been different for me growing up and in my early adult years had someone actually paid attention to things like that euphoria and asked me questions instead of just saying I was a tomboy or I'd grow out of it. It felt so good to read this. The firmness with which you explain the realities of being trans, but also the humor you bring to it! I snorted when I read "'What if that trans kid regrets transitioning? OMG, detransitioning??' Hey, be kind." Thank you for writing this!
Reed, I am so glad this found its way to you! I had so many of those little moments as a child, most notably telling adults how fond I was of beards and what mine would look like when I grew up... Those conversations didn't go so well!!
Oof, I can imagine! I love that you were fond of beards as a kid! I started talking about my love of beards and what I wished mine would be if I could have grown one in high school and college (even in the GSA, folks seemed to think of this as a funny quirk rather than a gender thing xD).
Very well explained. Thanks for that.
It’s such a shame people can’t simply have the freedom to be who they are. I hope the day will come when everyone is just respected, no matter what. It’s not that hard, really.
A well written essay that explains things I did not know about transgender people. What a shame it is that we live in a society where some of us are not able to be who we truly are. I for one am very tired of certain groups trying to push their agenda on others.
Charlotte, thank you. You're here and you're listening, and that's a great start. Change can happen one person at a time.
Thanks Robin. You've got a friend here and I support you. As I have said many times we all have to be who we are. If other people don't like us that is their problem not ours.
Such a great primer, and such valuable information. Thank you so much for sharing and for being so open about your experiences and advocating for others to be aware of their options!
Thanks for taking the time to say so. I'm always hopeful there are people out there who want to hear that hard stories.
I think there’s definitely a huge cross section of people who appreciate having things broken down like that. Of course, another cross section needs to hear it but won’t (a) seek out the info or (b) engage with it even when it’s right in their face. 😔