There's something about transsexual women that really bugs most men. The most likely reason, in my opinion, is simply fear. One of the most basic fears of men is being tagged as 'queer'. It's been driven into boys heads from an early age, and reinforced throughout adulthood.
Sexual orientation and gender identity are NOT binary states of mind. They fall on a spectrum with a distribution conceptually like this diagram:
![[Image: Distribution.JPG]](https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-7ATIbyUaCRI/VVEj8gC2xEI/AAAAAAAACvc/-AsLFJQQZ3s/w225-h146-no/Distribution.JPG)
We all exhibit varying degrees of masculinity and femininity, but are forced to identify as men or women regardless of the mix. Women are given more freedom to express their masculinity, while men are not allowed to express their femininity. I'm rehashing stuff we all know, sorry.
So how do men fight off their inner woman, such as it is? It exists at the subconscious level and is constantly bugging us for attention. Men have to fight it off on a daily basis or be exposed as less than a real man. Coping mechanisms arise that provide temporary relief. But, the pressure only seems to get worse.
It translates into a conscious rejection of femininity. In extreme instances, it shows up as misogyny and/or transphobia. What could be more effective in deflecting one's own cross gender nature, and demonstrating one's manhood, than by attacking gay and transgender people in word and deed?
Even men who admit to cross gender proclivities will take on negative attitudes about transsexuals. How many of us secretly would love to be a beautiful woman but know it can never be for various reasons? We see others realizing their dream by transitioning and it hurts. We immediately have to construct a shield against that pain. I would, but....if only it wasn't for....I'm better than that.....it's a sin against God....anyone who does that is sick..... You've heard all the excuses.
But, one of the most common protection ploys is isolation from those who would keep one's gender issues near the surface, generating emotions which are too hard to handle.
Women, for the most part, accept me as a woman. Men, on the other hand, keep me at a distance. Fear is the reason. Fear that I might rub off on them, exposing their own feminine natures, or simply raising doubts about the purity of their manhood. It's both sad and pitiful.
Clara
Sexual orientation and gender identity are NOT binary states of mind. They fall on a spectrum with a distribution conceptually like this diagram:
We all exhibit varying degrees of masculinity and femininity, but are forced to identify as men or women regardless of the mix. Women are given more freedom to express their masculinity, while men are not allowed to express their femininity. I'm rehashing stuff we all know, sorry.
So how do men fight off their inner woman, such as it is? It exists at the subconscious level and is constantly bugging us for attention. Men have to fight it off on a daily basis or be exposed as less than a real man. Coping mechanisms arise that provide temporary relief. But, the pressure only seems to get worse.
It translates into a conscious rejection of femininity. In extreme instances, it shows up as misogyny and/or transphobia. What could be more effective in deflecting one's own cross gender nature, and demonstrating one's manhood, than by attacking gay and transgender people in word and deed?
Even men who admit to cross gender proclivities will take on negative attitudes about transsexuals. How many of us secretly would love to be a beautiful woman but know it can never be for various reasons? We see others realizing their dream by transitioning and it hurts. We immediately have to construct a shield against that pain. I would, but....if only it wasn't for....I'm better than that.....it's a sin against God....anyone who does that is sick..... You've heard all the excuses.
But, one of the most common protection ploys is isolation from those who would keep one's gender issues near the surface, generating emotions which are too hard to handle.
Women, for the most part, accept me as a woman. Men, on the other hand, keep me at a distance. Fear is the reason. Fear that I might rub off on them, exposing their own feminine natures, or simply raising doubts about the purity of their manhood. It's both sad and pitiful.
Clara