GC: Legal “sex change“, Is there room for compromise?

submitted by peakingatthemomentTranssexual (natal male), HSTS from self.GCdebatesQT

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[–]emptiedriver 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

I would rather we worked toward having trans be accepted, and putting mtF or ftM on ID documents of people who have followed through on some level of transition. I don't think we should change old documents (like birth certificates) where the person was not yet transitioned, and I don't think it should be just for self-ID and changing pronouns.

I understand that it isn't the case yet, and that it seems easier to hide, but that also means people have to move to a whole new area when they transition, and constantly worry over whether they'll be outed. Maybe society is at the right point for us to make a solid effort in real trans rights - not giving any random person who tries on lipstick access to women's showers, but making sure people who take on serious life choices can keep their jobs while doing so.

[–]peakingatthemomentTranssexual (natal male), HSTS[S] 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

Thanks sharing your thoughts!

I would rather we worked toward having trans be accepted, and putting mtF or ftM on ID documents of people who have followed through on some level of transition.

The only thing about this is for me is that it would out you. That wouldn’t be the concern for many trans people, but it’s the only concern that I would have. I don’t see any practical difference between that and just having natal sex listed, at least for someone who would be passing otherwise.

I understand that it isn't the case yet, and that it seems easier to hide, but that also means people have to move to a whole new area when they transition, and constantly worry over whether they'll be outed.

Those points make sense! I’m totally biased because this is how I’ve been able to have a comfortable and happy life.

Maybe society is at the right point for us to make a solid effort in real trans rights - not giving any random person who tries on lipstick access to women's showers, but making sure people who take on serious life choices can keep their jobs while doing so.

We can only hope!

[–]emptiedriver 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I don’t see any practical difference between that and just having natal sex listed

To me it seems like it would just clarify all levels at one time - like if you are in an accident and taken to the hospital, there won't be confusion about what's being dealt with. And in most social situations, if someone passes there won't be a need to see the ID to confirm a social exchange..

We can only hope!

I don't think hope is a great strategy. There needs to be a counter movement within the trans community that pushes for gatekeeping and protected rights rather than access to women's arenas. People who support that often don't say a lot because they don't want to out themselves, but there are ways to speak up without revealing personal histories, and for some it may turn out to be time to share. Maybe trans med types are also just a minority, but I think they are the minority most people think of when they think of "trans" so they have a powerful voice to say more about trans activists, TWAW, transing kids, and all the other issues that feminists don't seem to have a right to say much about... Well, that's my rant about that :)

[–]peakingatthemomentTranssexual (natal male), HSTS[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

To me it seems like it would just clarify all levels at one time - like if you are in an accident and taken to the hospital, there won't be confusion about what's being dealt with.

I feel like it's the same because if someone saw my identification and it said male, I feel like they would be like this person is trans, which would be the same thing they would think if it said mtF. Both would out you as trans (unless they thought it was a mistake). I do sometimes think about medical emergencies where I might be unconscious, so I keep information on my watch and phone that I think medical personnel would be able to access.

And in most social situations, if someone passes there won't be a need to see the ID to confirm a social exchange..

Completely agree. I feel like employment, housing, and other times in life where you have to show identification is where this matters.

I don't think hope is a great strategy. There needs to be a counter movement within the trans community that pushes for gatekeeping and protected rights rather than access to women's arenas. People who support that often don't say a lot because they don't want to out themselves, but there are ways to speak up without revealing personal histories, and for some it may turn out to be time to share.

Yes. We can do more than hope. I look for ways I can advocate even if it's in a small way.