Trans - what IS that, really?

Why is it that if someone says they are 'trans' and claims I should respect that, they don't tell me what they actually mean? Is a trans woman a woman 'transed' to seem like a man or is it a man who seems like a woman? Are they men/women with anomalous or surgically altered genitals; are they psychologically deranged guys/gals who simply think they aren't, or are they just people playing silly buggers? If they can't be explicit about their condition why don't they STFU about it?

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SumKindaMunster · 56-60, M

I have no issues with grown adults who choose to change their identity, including their sex and gender. At will. Several times. Go for it, figure yourself out.

However:

I am not "cis-gendered". I am a man. I expect to be addressed accordingly. If trans people wish to have their choices of identity honored, then so should mine. It's only fair...this is what tolerance is.

I do NOT support biological males who cynically decide they are females in a craven attempt to increase their competitive ability in women's sports.

I also DO NOT support gender changes in children. Children should not be given hormones, and they especially shouldn't be subjected to life altering mutilations while young.

HoeBag · 51-55, F

@SumKindaMunster

I am not "cis-gendered". I am a man. I expect to be addressed accordingly. If trans people wish to have their choices of identity honored, then so should mine. It's only fair...this is what tolerance is.

The problem there is - too many people have a problem with the trans community as a whole. Yes there are some trans who are obnoxious about their trans identity but there are some who are just trying to quietly get through life like anyone else. Problem is that the ones who do not like trans, they tend to just assume ALL trans are out to cause problems.
More often than not, the only time trans identities are "Honored" is when the person addressing one has something to benefit.
OR if they are undetectable as their birth gender.

Sports -

The vast majority of trans have no interest in sports to begin with.
Even the ones that do, it seems to me like any athlete would want to compete against someone who would offer a real challenge instead of an easy win. No matter what someone is doing, one doesn't improve by taking the easy route.

It seems to me that not too long ago in the media, there would be women "showing the boys up" in some kind of sport or other predominately male activity. "See boys, you ain't so tough after all!" was the attitude but enter trans athletes and suddenly it is, "Women aren't as strong!"

Children should not be given hormones, and they especially shouldn't be subjected to life altering mutilations while young.

This is a rock and a hard place. We know that typically for a trans person to have a decent life, they need to be (mostly) undetectable as their birth gender. If they start transition early enough, there is a much better chance of "passing" (going undetected) as adults.
Yet if they have to wait, there is little chance of passing and they have to go through life looking over their shoulders.

SumKindaMunster · 56-60, M

@HoeBag

The problem there is - too many people have a problem with the trans community as a whole

No that's not the problem. Perhaps it IS a problem, but its not the problem with the trans movement.

The problem with the trans movement is they want fealty to their beliefs and causes, without any sort of effort in return. They want to be praised for their choices, but condescend and put down others who don't agree with them.

The vast majority of trans have no interest in sports to begin with.
Even the ones that do, it seems to me like any athlete would want to compete against someone who would offer a real challenge instead of an easy win

Regardless, the trans movement should condemn this practice and speak out against those that participate.

There will always be exceptions to the rules. I still believe we need to exercise the utmost caution when it comes to surgically or chemically altering children. It's ridiculous to me that this should even be argued.

LeopoldBloom · M

@SumKindaMunster These are non-issues. You probably can't name three trans athletes who compete at a level where they win against AFAB. And the number of children getting hormones is almost insignificant.

Anti-abortion fanatics dismiss our concerns about rape victims because "those are a tiny percentage." I dismiss your concerns over trans athletes and gender care for children on the same grounds.