femifist

Note:  I have a fascination with transgendered individuals because as a feminist I had always believed that gender was a social construct, but transgendered people alter this theory.  Are some attributes inherently male or female?  What effect does society have on “gendering?”

As a whole trannies are not represented in the media and are discriminated against more than any other minority.  This article is intended to educate.

Transgender is when an individual’s gender identity (if they see themselves as male or female) conflicts with behaviors socially accepted for that gender.

Sex and gender are different things.  Sex refers to biology (penis or vagina).  Gender is a way of interacting with others or feeling about ones-self in terms of what society deems appropriate for girls or boys.

Different, commonly confused, types of transgender:

1.  Transsexuals are transgendered people who wish to live full-time as a member of the opposite sex.  A female to male (FTM) transsexual is a person who was born with female parts, but lives as a man.  A male to female transsexual (FTM) is a person who was born with male parts, that lives a woman.  Many transsexuals decide to take hormones (Estrogen or Testosterone) and have gender reassignment surgery in order to make their bodies more congruent with their minds.

2.  Cross-dressers aka transvestites are people who choose to dress in clothing generally reserved for opposite sex for a variety of purposes: sexual arousal, for the fun of it, or because of feelings of a cross-gender identity.  The majority of cross-dressers are male and sexually attracted to woman.

3.  Drag Queens and Kings are people who dress in clothing reserved for the opposite sex for the purpose of performance and entertainment.  Acts may include singing, dancing, lip-syncing..etc.  Drag Queens and Kings may identify as transgender, but more often than not, they call themselves lesbian, gay, or bisexual.

4.  Other types of transgendered people are defined solely by the individual; such as gender queer, trans entities, or androgynous.  Some people use these or other alternative terms to describe themselves because they feel that gender as a concept, is restrictive.

Gender identity and sexual orientation are generally experienced as 2 different things.  A gender identity is the way an individual defines themselves; whereas, a sexual orientation is defined by a sexual attraction to men, women, both, or neither.

There is no way of knowing why a person is transgendered.  Some scientists believe that it is a result of different levels of hormones present in the brain.

I suggest that you do some research on your own.  I’ll get you started:

“Transgeneration” is a reality television show that follows the lives of several transgender college students, in different states, throughout a semester.  I was able to purchase the season on ITunes, but you can buy the season on DVD if you’d prefer.  It actually ends up being around the same cost.  http://www.sundancechannel.com/transgeneration/

“TransAmerica” is an independant film about a MTF transsexual and how she gets a call from her long, lost, juvenile delinquent son.  He is expecting his dad to be a man…I also got this one from ITunes. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0407265/

“Boys Don’t Cry” is a movie based on the true story of (FTM) Brandon Teena.  Brandon (played by Hilary Swank) meets some new friends and is having a great time until they find out that he is biologically female.  I HIGHLY recommend this movie.  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0171804/

Why do I think you should learn about trannies?  Hatred and discrimination are a product of fear of that which we do not understand.

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