On Maleness, MaleID/Trans Masculinity, Expectations and Being "Less of a Man"

[Queerasfck]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

I am in full agreement that no one should denigrate "female" (or male, for that matter) regardless of how horrific is their personal experience, that's a case by case situation, and those "trans guys" should be educated.

I don't participate much in these threads anymore because it feels like I'm supposed to pull down my pants, or talk about deeply personal shit in order to validate my experiences. It's GROSS, man and I'm not doing it.

Originally Posted by weatherboi

my masculinity certainly doesn't rely on the acceptance of my peers. what some other transguy or male id'd person thinks of my maleness really holds no weight with me. what holds weight with my fellow peers would be that they find me trustworthy, loyal, a person of my word, and all around good person that has an intention to make a positive impact.

i was born in the wrong body, but i am not the type of man to be held back by that because my body doesn't define me.

Thank you both for saying what usually comes to mind when I start reading similar threads/posts. I'm not defined by others and I'm not defined by my body. In the outside world I am confronted daily about conforming to what others have chosen for me. It wears a person down. Somedays are better than others. Inside of me I hold on to my inner peace of knowing, believing in myself even when others question or confront.
Although we may not be exactly alike, my brothers here give me encouragement to battle on in the difficulties we have in the outside world. For that I thank you both, and all of you, those I know and those I don't.