Pressurised to transition.

[AtLast]

Originally Posted by Converse

Yes, this rings true for me –when thoughts however fleeting crossed my mind about transitioning- it was never about the “next stage”, it was about becoming “other”.

And it is this, this understanding or lack of, that has always been the source of any external pressure – however well meaning. This “pressure” usually comes from within, not outside, of the community – and when I have felt it, I silently tell you “with all of your learning, your wanting to empathise and all of your awareness – if you still can not look at me and see Butch without thinking you are looking at someone who has not yet arrived, then you can not see me at all.”

Rings true for me too- although, transitioning has honestly never entered my mind. Thinking there is just something "wrong" with me as a female human began at a very young age.

The whole "next stage" belief system is what really bothers me. We have arrived and that battle within the context of a very homophobic and misogynist society has been rough.

No, we are not cis-gendered at all- if we were, then why are we so often called "freaks"?

These are the very reasons that it is really important for butches to be able to talk about our identity as butches outside of any trans viewpoints sometimes. I say sometimes because I recognize that other butches were are/were indeed continuum- but not all of us are. It is just erroneous to put all butches on that continuum. It hurts, is dismissive and simply erroneous- causing as much damage to butches as myth and outright bigotry hurts and dismisses transgendered people.

It gets really difficult to feel like I am walking on a tight rope if I try to talk about being butch as my true state of being as a finished human being. I know that historically, there has been (might still emerge, unfortunately) some awful transphobic attacks on our own trans members stemming back to the dash site. That hurts me too because this is my home also and there are countless Transmen here (and Tran masculine butches) that are my friends and just people I care about and respect and would never put their journey down. In fact, seeing them find their way and having some happiness feels good to me.

I (and many other butches) have spoken to the positive aspects of varying gender theories that are finally flowing within society and in our small population. There is freedom in gender theory that applies to butches as well as transgendered and intergendered folks. And femmes that love them- and butches. I just want to accept this gift and find some peace and happiness. Hurting each other is just not part of that peace.

[Chazz]

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

....The whole "next stage" belief system is what really bothers me. We have arrived [at] that battle within the context of a very homophobic and misogynist society has been rough.

Yes, that battle has been very rough, indeed. To fight for identity on two fronts at once, is unacceptable. I think this is one of the under articulated issues at the core of the "gender wars".

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

....These are the very reasons that it is really important for butches to be able to talk about our identity as butches outside of any trans viewpoints sometimes.

Exactly. It's essential lest we lose sight of who WE are within the LGBTQ panoply.

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I say sometimes because I recognize that other butches [were/are] indeed [on a] continuum- but not all of us are.

This is why I prefer the term spectrum. It avoids all that unintentional, or intentional, ranking of butch-ness which is too often based in "cismale" or heternormative constructs. That's the dominant culture front of our two front "battle".

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

It is just erroneous to put all butches on that continuum. It hurts, is dismissive and simply erroneous- causing as much damage to butches....

For me, this is the community front of the "battle".

The "all butches" part is where we diverge, AtLastHome, assuming we do on this issue. I don't think butches are on the same continuum as those who transition. I think we're on a different trajectory. Again: Why isn't that ok?

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

It gets really difficult to feel like I am walking on a tight rope if I try to talk about being butch as my true state of being as a finished human being....

Life on a "tightrope" is too high a price to pay only to find oneself in a two front "battle".

Originally Posted by AtLastHome

I (and many other butches) have spoken to the positive aspects of varying gender theories that are finally flowing within society and in our small population. There is freedom in gender theory that applies to butches as well as transgendered and intergendered folks. And femmes that love them- and butches. I just want to accept this gift and find some peace and happiness. Hurting each other is just not part of that peace.

I haven't found "freedom" in gender theory. I don't mind if others have. I just want to be able to say I haven't without being villified.