Someone has to speak up. Those of us who use are a pretty significant minority. If you count legal substances I'd say we're easily in the majority. Yet we're still oppressed. Yes, I used the word. We are oppressed. I function just fine in society, I do better than most in society. If monetary gain is any scale then I'm certainly doing better than most. Yet I, I can not be free to do with my own body as I see fit.
Having their brain wired differently is a mental health issue, many mental health issues are exactly that. Unfortunately calling it that includes peoples biases - I'm not biased about it (I don't think) nor do I think there's much benefit to being entirely mentally healthy.
Much thanks. I always figured the variation in signal was what made it analog. I am not sure what made me think that, that and a few other things. I've been pretty sure it was analog for years but, yeah, it makes sense that it is digital. (My ego's not frail and I love to learn new things.)
No, I haven't time nor interest in trolling. Thanks for your concern but, frankly, I'm capable of thought on my own. I don't need guidance and I doubt your skills of provoking my positions. You're dismissed.
We'll also be paying for you to extend your life way past its useful point. If it resolves a mental health problem (which is subject to debate) and increases their quality of life then it's probably worth it. A healthy populace is good for everyone as a whole.
That is not always true, I have this from good authority from someone who decided he was a she sometime in their late-20s and had the gender reassignment done in their late 30s. She's quite open about it and frequents Fark.com in case you're curious. They will tell you they weren't born that way but that they chose, over time, to be that way because they started (key word there) feeling as if they were a female sometime in their mid-20s. I understand the desire to fight and argue but being transgendered doesn't mean that they're all like you or that they're subject to the same feelings you had.
Are you really or are you simply saying that to make a joke? The reason I ask is because I'm simply curious. It won't change my opinion of you one way or the other to be frank. It is just a matter of curiosity to me.
Nature decided who they are physically, yes. The issue is those who think that what nature decided doesn't fit or those few who nature simply couldn't decide and decided they were physically both or none of the above. Which gets me to this... What is your point? Is your point that you can use this thread as a means to spew your bigotry? Is your point that you don't like them? That you're scared of them? That you don't think they're "right in God's eyes?" Well, if you profess to believe in a God then you should be aware that your divine being created them... I don't advocate extra rights for anyone. I do advocate going through life looking for ways to make things less painful or embarrassing for those who aren't of the majority status. If it takes ten minutes longer to author in an "Other" category then, you know what, it is worth it for the good of society. It's not a priority, no. It's just something that can be done. So, again, what is your point?
I'm aware of this. Others/some/all even force you to go a year (I think it is a year) living as the opposite gender before you can get the surgery. That doesn't change my view though. It seems drastic, to me, to go through gender reassignment to overcome a mental health issue BUT, as I clearly stated, I'm not in a position where it impacts me thus I'm not sure my ethics apply to the situation at all. I understand that there is a lot of social stigma surrounding this but lashing out at me is futile and I'm on your side. I can understand the instinct to lash out but make sure you read and understand what I write before doing so - I mean no harm and only want equal rights for you, your fellow transgendered folk, and everybody else. I'm a strong supporter and advocate for equality and individual freedom.
I had to stop drinking. I was too good at it. I'm damned near a professional. And, should we meander too far from the topic (which we may have already done) or the thread be closed due to longevity...
uninvolved@outlook.com
It's a "spam" email that I recently created but I check it out pretty frequently. I figure the filtering is fine these days. I can pretty much toss it into the clear and not be too worried about being overwhelmed with UCE/spam. Even if it does get hammered on then it's okay, there is plenty of space and plenty of time to make rules to filter stuff.
That makes sense. As mentioned in other comments, I've always considered it to be analog but, with further inspection, it appears to be digital. I've been wrong! On the internet! NO!!! *chuckles* I'm still a bit confused but someone cleared it up a bit for me. It seems the duration and the interpretation doesn't matter for this.
That is true in some cases. There are others who have no biological issues at all but simply feel they were born into the wrong body (I've spoken to a few of these who've gone ahead with the gender re-assignment) and it's a difficult position for them to be in. While your statement is true for some it certainly isn't true for all.
That makes sense - but is this really two states? It is on, off, on for a longer duration. I'm pretty certain that I've been wrong all these years and that it is digital (I'm okay with admitting that). I'm still pretty curious though - I linked a handy link in there that describes it a bit. It is binary, binary is digital. Hmm... So, yeah, I guess it'd be digital.
I think that the severity needs to be considered as well as the underlying issues that cause one to want to modify themselves. Gender re-assignment surgery is not realistically compared to a piercing, a tattoo, or similar. However, there are those who would take such to extremes where they are obviously mentally ill. First, being mentally ill isn't a bad thing entirely of itself (the term is mentally ill and I didn't make that term up but it does imply connotations of badness). Second, the severity of change needs to be considered. Would I say that those people should seek mental health assistance prior to getting alterations done? I would say that's a broad subject... I'd say that when such alterations impede your life, or will be seen as so life-changing that they are deemed a requirement by the subject, then yes they should seek mental health care prior to engaging in those acts. Would I FORCE that, the mental health care bit, on them? By no means.
I suspect it is a database tie-in that makes it suitable (according to some) here on Slashdot. I agree that it isn't enough of a tie-in to really belong but it is hardly a new thing and we have the option of leaving should we want to. You're also free to submit better stories so you have choices up to, and including, leaving. I have, of course, elected to remain but that's my choice. You, on the other hand, are just another AC who won't be missed and who has anything they say mixed with too much noise to be considered relevant to many folks here.
I believe his point was that the surgery was optional. That's a tough one to argue against and while I appreciate your sentiment I'm not entirely certain that it applies. As you can probably tell (if you make the effort, which is doubtful and that's not a comment against you but rather an observation of reality) you'll see my posts are supportive and understanding. Your desire to lash out is neither commendable or necessary. The surgery to change one's gender is elective and shouldn't be a source of embarrassment.
Comments like this make me proud to have had you on my "foes" list for a good long time. You're going to die. Hopefully your place is taken up by someone more open minded, more sympathetic, and more understanding. No, I'm not a transgendered person. I see them as mentally ill, certainly, but I don't see that as a bad thing - just a thing that they are and of no concern of mine. They don't deserve pity, they don't deserve extra attention, they don't deserve anything special - they deserve to be treated as individuals who are judged by their deeds.
They don't do the surgery on embryos. Err... Do they? I also believe there is one case where they changed their gender back. What do we call them (besides a fellow human)? I think the simplest solution may be to stop keeping track of gender at all except where medically necessary and allow people to fill the roles that they feel suit them best.
It may be unique but it is becoming more common. For better, or worse, we will need to figure something out at some point.
I have some ethical questions about "fixing" what is a mental health issue with something so drastic as surgery but I'm fortunate to not be in that position so I'm not sure my ethics matter.
So yeah it is interesting. There's a site that I frequent which has an amazingly high percentage of transgendered people on it. (It is Fark actually.) They have, for whatever reason, managed to attract a lot of them. I've made it a point to be open minded and to listen to them (I don't much care as it doesn't apply to me but I am a curious person) and I'm not sure that I agree that modifying the body to fix a mental illness is a good solution.
Either way, there's going to be conflicts in databases. There are going to be issues and bathrooms and additional healthcare are a couple of places where this is going to come into play as it becomes more popular. There are plenty of bigger problems with society though so this isn't all that important. If you dye your hair then you put your real hair color on the form at the DMV. If you wear contacts to the appointment at the DMV you still tell them that you need corrective lenses to drive even though they can't see them. But, well, none of those changes are permanent. Then again, sex changes may not be considered permanent either. So, it's a quandary and we're going to have to face it eventually. We can't stuff it into the closet and hope it resolves itself.
Now, HOW we resolve this will be a measure of our growth as a society. That, though, is a topic for another day.
Yeah, that's why I added the bit about it being *more* illiterates. It's unfortunate but it is the way it is. The end result is ignorance, blind allegiance to power, blind partisanship, racism, etc... Ah well... Ride it 'til the wheels fall off I suppose.
Slashdot Mirror
Someone has to speak up. Those of us who use are a pretty significant minority. If you count legal substances I'd say we're easily in the majority. Yet we're still oppressed. Yes, I used the word. We are oppressed. I function just fine in society, I do better than most in society. If monetary gain is any scale then I'm certainly doing better than most. Yet I, I can not be free to do with my own body as I see fit.
Having their brain wired differently is a mental health issue, many mental health issues are exactly that. Unfortunately calling it that includes peoples biases - I'm not biased about it (I don't think) nor do I think there's much benefit to being entirely mentally healthy.
Much thanks. I always figured the variation in signal was what made it analog. I am not sure what made me think that, that and a few other things. I've been pretty sure it was analog for years but, yeah, it makes sense that it is digital. (My ego's not frail and I love to learn new things.)
No, I haven't time nor interest in trolling. Thanks for your concern but, frankly, I'm capable of thought on my own. I don't need guidance and I doubt your skills of provoking my positions. You're dismissed.
I don't know about "better" but it is less invasive and less risky to their overall health.
That is how jails do it. No matter how far along you are in gender reassignment - if you have a penis you're going to a men's facility.
Does it really matter which side of the aisle it came from? Injecting politics into an unrelated thread is the issue, no? ;)
We'll also be paying for you to extend your life way past its useful point. If it resolves a mental health problem (which is subject to debate) and increases their quality of life then it's probably worth it. A healthy populace is good for everyone as a whole.
Transgender people may be born transgender.
That is not always true, I have this from good authority from someone who decided he was a she sometime in their late-20s and had the gender reassignment done in their late 30s. She's quite open about it and frequents Fark.com in case you're curious. They will tell you they weren't born that way but that they chose, over time, to be that way because they started (key word there) feeling as if they were a female sometime in their mid-20s. I understand the desire to fight and argue but being transgendered doesn't mean that they're all like you or that they're subject to the same feelings you had.
Are you really or are you simply saying that to make a joke? The reason I ask is because I'm simply curious. It won't change my opinion of you one way or the other to be frank. It is just a matter of curiosity to me.
Nature decided who they are physically, yes. The issue is those who think that what nature decided doesn't fit or those few who nature simply couldn't decide and decided they were physically both or none of the above. Which gets me to this... What is your point? Is your point that you can use this thread as a means to spew your bigotry? Is your point that you don't like them? That you're scared of them? That you don't think they're "right in God's eyes?" Well, if you profess to believe in a God then you should be aware that your divine being created them... I don't advocate extra rights for anyone. I do advocate going through life looking for ways to make things less painful or embarrassing for those who aren't of the majority status. If it takes ten minutes longer to author in an "Other" category then, you know what, it is worth it for the good of society. It's not a priority, no. It's just something that can be done. So, again, what is your point?
I'm aware of this. Others/some/all even force you to go a year (I think it is a year) living as the opposite gender before you can get the surgery. That doesn't change my view though. It seems drastic, to me, to go through gender reassignment to overcome a mental health issue BUT, as I clearly stated, I'm not in a position where it impacts me thus I'm not sure my ethics apply to the situation at all. I understand that there is a lot of social stigma surrounding this but lashing out at me is futile and I'm on your side. I can understand the instinct to lash out but make sure you read and understand what I write before doing so - I mean no harm and only want equal rights for you, your fellow transgendered folk, and everybody else. I'm a strong supporter and advocate for equality and individual freedom.
I had to stop drinking. I was too good at it. I'm damned near a professional. And, should we meander too far from the topic (which we may have already done) or the thread be closed due to longevity...
uninvolved@outlook.com
It's a "spam" email that I recently created but I check it out pretty frequently. I figure the filtering is fine these days. I can pretty much toss it into the clear and not be too worried about being overwhelmed with UCE/spam. Even if it does get hammered on then it's okay, there is plenty of space and plenty of time to make rules to filter stuff.
That makes sense. As mentioned in other comments, I've always considered it to be analog but, with further inspection, it appears to be digital. I've been wrong! On the internet! NO!!! *chuckles* I'm still a bit confused but someone cleared it up a bit for me. It seems the duration and the interpretation doesn't matter for this.
That is true in some cases. There are others who have no biological issues at all but simply feel they were born into the wrong body (I've spoken to a few of these who've gone ahead with the gender re-assignment) and it's a difficult position for them to be in. While your statement is true for some it certainly isn't true for all.
That too makes sense. Thanks. :)
That makes sense - but is this really two states? It is on, off, on for a longer duration. I'm pretty certain that I've been wrong all these years and that it is digital (I'm okay with admitting that). I'm still pretty curious though - I linked a handy link in there that describes it a bit. It is binary, binary is digital. Hmm... So, yeah, I guess it'd be digital.
I think that the severity needs to be considered as well as the underlying issues that cause one to want to modify themselves. Gender re-assignment surgery is not realistically compared to a piercing, a tattoo, or similar. However, there are those who would take such to extremes where they are obviously mentally ill. First, being mentally ill isn't a bad thing entirely of itself (the term is mentally ill and I didn't make that term up but it does imply connotations of badness). Second, the severity of change needs to be considered. Would I say that those people should seek mental health assistance prior to getting alterations done? I would say that's a broad subject... I'd say that when such alterations impede your life, or will be seen as so life-changing that they are deemed a requirement by the subject, then yes they should seek mental health care prior to engaging in those acts. Would I FORCE that, the mental health care bit, on them? By no means.
I suspect it is a database tie-in that makes it suitable (according to some) here on Slashdot. I agree that it isn't enough of a tie-in to really belong but it is hardly a new thing and we have the option of leaving should we want to. You're also free to submit better stories so you have choices up to, and including, leaving. I have, of course, elected to remain but that's my choice. You, on the other hand, are just another AC who won't be missed and who has anything they say mixed with too much noise to be considered relevant to many folks here.
I believe his point was that the surgery was optional. That's a tough one to argue against and while I appreciate your sentiment I'm not entirely certain that it applies. As you can probably tell (if you make the effort, which is doubtful and that's not a comment against you but rather an observation of reality) you'll see my posts are supportive and understanding. Your desire to lash out is neither commendable or necessary. The surgery to change one's gender is elective and shouldn't be a source of embarrassment.
Comments like this make me proud to have had you on my "foes" list for a good long time. You're going to die. Hopefully your place is taken up by someone more open minded, more sympathetic, and more understanding. No, I'm not a transgendered person. I see them as mentally ill, certainly, but I don't see that as a bad thing - just a thing that they are and of no concern of mine. They don't deserve pity, they don't deserve extra attention, they don't deserve anything special - they deserve to be treated as individuals who are judged by their deeds.
Sliding scale, left male and right female, with asexual being smack dab in the center?
They don't do the surgery on embryos. Err... Do they? I also believe there is one case where they changed their gender back. What do we call them (besides a fellow human)? I think the simplest solution may be to stop keeping track of gender at all except where medically necessary and allow people to fill the roles that they feel suit them best.
It may be unique but it is becoming more common. For better, or worse, we will need to figure something out at some point.
I have some ethical questions about "fixing" what is a mental health issue with something so drastic as surgery but I'm fortunate to not be in that position so I'm not sure my ethics matter.
So yeah it is interesting. There's a site that I frequent which has an amazingly high percentage of transgendered people on it. (It is Fark actually.) They have, for whatever reason, managed to attract a lot of them. I've made it a point to be open minded and to listen to them (I don't much care as it doesn't apply to me but I am a curious person) and I'm not sure that I agree that modifying the body to fix a mental illness is a good solution.
Either way, there's going to be conflicts in databases. There are going to be issues and bathrooms and additional healthcare are a couple of places where this is going to come into play as it becomes more popular. There are plenty of bigger problems with society though so this isn't all that important. If you dye your hair then you put your real hair color on the form at the DMV. If you wear contacts to the appointment at the DMV you still tell them that you need corrective lenses to drive even though they can't see them. But, well, none of those changes are permanent. Then again, sex changes may not be considered permanent either. So, it's a quandary and we're going to have to face it eventually. We can't stuff it into the closet and hope it resolves itself.
Now, HOW we resolve this will be a measure of our growth as a society. That, though, is a topic for another day.
Yeah, that's why I added the bit about it being *more* illiterates. It's unfortunate but it is the way it is. The end result is ignorance, blind allegiance to power, blind partisanship, racism, etc... Ah well... Ride it 'til the wheels fall off I suppose.