A "True Transsexual"

I don't know how many times I've read news group posts, emails, or had someone tell me that "so-and-so" isn't a "true transsexual".

The problem is there is no such thing as a "true transsexual". Transsexuals are as different among themselves as are any other group of people. Transsexuals are of every nationality, 'race', religion, profession, educational background, plus many other factors. They come from both sexes. The one area transsexuals have in common is they are transsexual. They may be female-to-male or male-to-female, yet they are still transsexual. A "true transsexual" exists only in the mind of the individual who insists there is such a distinction.

Instead, we have individuals. Oh, those individuals have some similar backgrounds or experiences. Every transition has some similarities to the transition of an acquaintance. Yet no two are absolutely identical. And why should they? Even twins differ somewhat. Why should transsexuals not differ from one and another?

So why should one transsexual be labeled as not a "true transsexual" simply because their objectives, their road through transition, their views differ from a second transsexual, their appearance, or even their age? Plainly such a label should not exist, let along be used. Yet such occurs daily.

Could it be that the reason the "true transsexual" label is so frequently used by some is that they are still unsure of themselves? Life itself is a difficult experience with the unexpected, the unplanned occurring. Add in someone who is born in a body different from what the gender identify (the persona, mind, soul, or whatever identifies the person) defines as correct, someone who is born with a body that includes physical characteristics of both sexes, and life becomes even more complicated.

Instead of trying to label others, transsexuals must learn to understand and respect each other as they learn about themselves. We each need the freedom to understand who we are as individuals, not as others, even other transsexuals, claim we must be.

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