I read this.. "Left-handedness increased over time after we stopped punishing left-handed children in schools, because some children are naturally left-handed and were now able to express it [...] In the same way, increased visibility and acceptance of trans people has led to a gradual increase in young people who feel comfortable expressing their trans identity"[1]
Except "left-handedness" isn't a debilitating disorder that requires risky physical intervention, while gender dysphoria is and gender change as a route of treating gender dysphoria is risky physical intervention.
It's not an "comfortable [...] identity", it's something that requires hospital resources to address. Calling this "comfortable" is as if saying "being able to admit having skin cancer is comfortable". Being able to admit "having gender dysphoria" doesn't make gender dysphoria "a matter of expression". It's still a disorder with symptoms, which "left handedness" is not.
Agreed with Liz Parker that I think this is valuable. Also for boys. I find your explanation of "phantasy/displaced meaning", with the example of "the man who pursues buying a house to symbolise a relationship instead of admitting a relationship is what he wants, and when he gets the house moves on to pursue porch lights", very clear and striking.
I do think that the issue can also be complex though, as you also sort of admit that you watched anime because "it was better than letting my mind spiral". I think there are many people who won't be able to figure all of this out alone and if they don't find help end up stuck having to decide between beating themself up by choosing to let their "mind spiral" out of "stoicism" or try to cope in some way.
This article I think contributes in some way to being a healthier coping mechanism as it is not a "fantasy" but a real story.
I think it won't for example get people who struggle with a social life a relationship, but it has been years since I have seen this quality of tolerance for diverse opinion anywhere on the internet. I think safety to explore both the option of considering gender dysphoria as legitimate as well as not being convinced is the only way a person can make an informed decision in the absence of a clear scientific consensus based on independently verifiable information.
I feel like I can breathe on this substack, unlike on pretty much every other social media, not have to feel afraid of asking any question/saying wrong word(s) that will result in being psychologically "beaten" or otherwise retaliated against.
What a wonderful story, Marcia. This will give so many girls hope because, unlike you, they will have a true, ‘warts & all’ alternative to all the vile propaganda out there. Thank you so, so much. 👏👏👏
I read this.. "Left-handedness increased over time after we stopped punishing left-handed children in schools, because some children are naturally left-handed and were now able to express it [...] In the same way, increased visibility and acceptance of trans people has led to a gradual increase in young people who feel comfortable expressing their trans identity"[1]
Except "left-handedness" isn't a debilitating disorder that requires risky physical intervention, while gender dysphoria is and gender change as a route of treating gender dysphoria is risky physical intervention.
It's not an "comfortable [...] identity", it's something that requires hospital resources to address. Calling this "comfortable" is as if saying "being able to admit having skin cancer is comfortable". Being able to admit "having gender dysphoria" doesn't make gender dysphoria "a matter of expression". It's still a disorder with symptoms, which "left handedness" is not.
[1] https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/nov/24/an-explosion-what-is-behind-the-rise-in-girls-questioning-their-gender-identity
Agreed with Liz Parker that I think this is valuable. Also for boys. I find your explanation of "phantasy/displaced meaning", with the example of "the man who pursues buying a house to symbolise a relationship instead of admitting a relationship is what he wants, and when he gets the house moves on to pursue porch lights", very clear and striking.
I do think that the issue can also be complex though, as you also sort of admit that you watched anime because "it was better than letting my mind spiral". I think there are many people who won't be able to figure all of this out alone and if they don't find help end up stuck having to decide between beating themself up by choosing to let their "mind spiral" out of "stoicism" or try to cope in some way.
This article I think contributes in some way to being a healthier coping mechanism as it is not a "fantasy" but a real story.
I think it won't for example get people who struggle with a social life a relationship, but it has been years since I have seen this quality of tolerance for diverse opinion anywhere on the internet. I think safety to explore both the option of considering gender dysphoria as legitimate as well as not being convinced is the only way a person can make an informed decision in the absence of a clear scientific consensus based on independently verifiable information.
I feel like I can breathe on this substack, unlike on pretty much every other social media, not have to feel afraid of asking any question/saying wrong word(s) that will result in being psychologically "beaten" or otherwise retaliated against.
What a wonderful story, Marcia. This will give so many girls hope because, unlike you, they will have a true, ‘warts & all’ alternative to all the vile propaganda out there. Thank you so, so much. 👏👏👏