[Miranda-nata-est]

I have to admit that I have absolutely no idea how to define gender. I am not at all convinced there is an absolute anywhere in all this. At this time, it is impossible to define a difference between a male and female person without first defining the characteristics of a female or male personality and it is an equally impossible task to define the characteristics which define female and male without first having a defined male or female person against which to judge them. It is a catch-22 situation, circular reasoning at its limit. Furthermore, to attempt utilise any physical or mental characteristics as a gender datum based on societal norms might well be considered a largely specious argument as to so do is to fall into the trap of statistical means which are fine for populations as a whole, but meaningless at an individual level.


So, gauged against a scale without any real definitions or absolutes, why do we feel that Female is the right gender for us and why would we choose to put ourselves through the whole transition process? A very good question and one which is hard to answer in absolute terms. Others might well have a different answer, I can only speak personally about my situation and my answer is ' Because I know it is right for me'........ A reason without reason.

I do know however as one absolute in all this, that the second my system got hit with serious levels of Oestradiol and Spironolactone that my brain has awakened from its 57 year dormancy with a great yell of 'Yessss, at last!!!!!'. My life has become complete despite the difficulties which still lie ahead.

I do wonder if the only real way of empirically telling genders apart, certainly for now, is to recognise that female oriented brains operate best on oestrogen and male oriented brains on testosterone.
So maybe, just maybe, the controversial practise of allowing HRT for those males who are confused about their gender identity might after all be the correct diagnostic tool - or then again, maybe not.

Miranda