Being Trans; what does it mean? Being trans doesn't necessarily have to be a standard or rigid definition. The only thing it has to mean for me, is that my being does not fit the traditional binary definition of gender or sex.
When I first came out as my thought for myself was: I am a trans woman and my goal is to be passing as a cis woman. but that was before I experienced the acceptance of other women. It taught me that I was thinking only from the perspective of people who are not allies. The hateful, ignorant and discriminatory speak of those against us was controlling how I felt about myself and what a transgender person was supposed to strive for.
As I found more and more acceptance from others, those who did not treat me as someone or something different, I began to accept myself. My body dysmorphia didn't suddenly vanish but it did begin to subside. I also didn't decide I was done transitioning but my desire for rapid changes to my body became less urgent, and as a result my anxiety decreased and slowly I began to accept myself.
With this acceptance I embraced the evolutionary process that was happening. I also embraced that how I present on any day at any moment is fluid and up to me alone.
I started to understand terms like genderqueer, non binary, gender fluid, and a-gender. I understand where these terms came from, what they mean, and that they fit me; and I love it!
Yes I am still trans, a trans woman, a trans femme. But now I can add gender queer, NB, gender fluid (ish), lesbian and demisexual. I am proud to be all of these, to embrace and embody these concepts.
I've thought a lot about the term trans, and I like what my mind has come up with. I think it's fitting and gives me (and hopefully others) a new strength. "As a trans person, I or we transcend the gender/sex binary. We rise above the simple black & white definitions that put people into two tiny boxes, boxes that control and dictate how we should look, act, think and sound.
We humans are all complex, and I think that complexity frightens those who cannot will not accept that, or rather those who don't want us to realize that, because it would mean they lose a certain level of control, that we won't be forced to confirm to archaic ideals meant to divide. But that doesn't mean we are without morals or ethics; it doesn't diminish our humanity. If anything it expands it. It increases our senses of compassion, acceptance and understanding. We have the capacity to become more empathetic and sympathetic which allows for more grace and open mindedness. It opens the door for social progress.
#trans, #socialprogress, #acceptance, #compassion, #LGBTQ+, #queer, #genderqueer, #nonbinary, #nonconformity, #gay, #lesbian, #love, #empathy
