At Age 3 — Transitioning From Jack To Jackie

originally posted by: darkbake
I have a good idea, let's assume that it's fine for someone to change genders if they want to, even if they were not "born that way." What's wrong with changing genders?

Please read the thread. It is very informative and may open your eyes? Nobody would do something like this because they "want" to. If you are capable of learning and wish to deny ignorance on this subject please take the time to check it out.

Thank you

Ryland: A transgender 6 yr old...

this ^^is a thread I started last year about a similar situation.
If readers would like to check it out, they can get more information and another family's story of a similar journey (although it is a female-to-male situation).

It illustrates the difficulty and challenges of being a parent of a child who is 'different.'


(You have to go to youtube to watch it, but the still shot gives the image and title for you all. Just enter Ryland in the youtube search bar.)

*************************************

I extend my apologies to the board for my outburst. My chain got yanked, and even while I expected the censure, I chose to react. Thanks to the mods for all they do.


Especially I apologize to JadeStar and her parents, Tamara and Brian.

a reply to: Seamrog

There is documented scientific and medical research published in prominent journals by respected UNBIASED researchers that demonstrates gender dysphoria is not a mental disorder, but is more likely a physical anomaly within the brain.

a reply to: JadeStar

After reading more about your situation, I think that an early transition might be a good idea in some cases, especially ones like this. I'm glad you went to a psychologist who was able to assess the situation and come to a favorable conclusion for you. I'm also glad that things are looking good for you and your future! I think you made the right decision.

a reply to: kaylaluv

Male and female brains are structured differently. It should be entirely possible for a guy to be born with a female brain or a girl to be born with a male brain.

originally posted by: Seamrog

originally posted by: Liquesence

originally posted by: Seamrog
a reply to: EKron


I don't believe for one second that this is a 'real' thread, or a 'real' family.

I think you've all been played like a fiddle, and it has been entertaining to watch.


That aside, the one 'on-topic' point I have made in this mess of a thread is that there is documented scientific and medical research published in prominent journals by respected doctors and researchers that demonstrates that gender dysphoria is a mental disorder that is successfully treatable with methods other than bodily mutilation and living in a pretend fantasy land.


But you're not concerned about that. You'd rather throw stones.

Oh, this is a real thread, because I started it. And the questions I presented are in the OP, and that's WHY I started it.

My apologies - I should clarify. I don't believe the direction that this thread took after you started it is real. This is not intended as an insult to anyone, but I believe 'Jadestar' is a figment of a clever poster's imagination.

That said, as far as medical research that gender identification other than how one was biologically born is a mental disorder: PROVIDE some. That's what this thread is, is discussion and about biology vs environment. If you'd like to provide some scholarly articles and research to support your claims, I'd love to see that in this thread.

You are correct - that is the point of your thread. Again, my apologies. I will do so.

Um, the moderator said that this thread should not be for attacking each other. And while I know that you might *wish* my family and I did not exist, I think I've put enough of me out there already which verifies my existence. (probably too much actually) I've posted images of my diary in another thread, I have posted an image of a package I received from NASA from a summer program I participated in and I have appeared on one of the ATS online radio shows talking about space and astronomy.

I might ask if you are real? Or just trolling

Please respect my parents and I. You do not have to agree with us but I would hope that perhaps if you could see things from my and my parents perspectives that you would at least gain some understanding of what I went through growing up.

originally posted by: BuzzyWigs
Ryland: A transgender 6 yr old...

this ^^is a thread I started last year about a similar situation.
If readers would like to check it out, they can get more information and another family's story of a similar journey (although it is a female-to-male situation).

It illustrates the difficulty and challenges of being a parent of a child who is 'different.'

(You have to go to youtube to watch it, but the still shot gives the image and title for you all. Just enter Ryland in the youtube search bar.)

*************************************

I extend my apologies to the board for my outburst. My chain got yanked, and even while I expected the censure, I chose to react. Thanks to the mods for all they do.

Especially I apologize to JadeStar and her parents, Tamara and Brian.

Thank you. That story you posted resonates within me. My parents will be on later after they get home from work or after dinner.

originally posted by: darkbake
a reply to: JadeStar

After reading more about your situation, I think that an early transition might be a good idea in some cases, especially ones like this. I'm glad you went to a psychologist who was able to assess the situation and come to a favorable conclusion for you. I'm also glad that things are looking good for you and your future! I think you made the right decision.

Thank you. It's very hard for me to convey by text just how much of a relief early transition was. I just know that I would not be here were it not for my parents trusting that it was the right thing to do.

originally posted by: EKron
I got to thinking about this and began to question. Are you saying one's sense of self is only determined by their interaction with a series of "others" and that we're born as a blank slate?

No, not by any means but our perceptual abilities emerge over time relational to our experiences within our environment and the interactions that we engage in with "others". Our senses, while at birth configured to receive information in a particular way, develop sensitivity through stimulus. The infant that is touched and held close will interact with the world with greater confidence and assurance. Similarly, exposure to complex sounds, smells and sights will increase acuity of those senses. As infants we are entirely dependent on others for a prolonged period of time, we don't come out of the womb fully formed and ready to go.

Much of who, what and why we are, and why we do what we do when we do it is acquired from our environment, what is fixed, prior to birth, or indeed prior to conception, in terms of our sense of self, would be more individual I expect. From my own perspective and experience though, in terms of gender and sexuality, I both knew I was female in relation to others and that recognition was affirmed by others, ie positively re-inforced. In that way, I can comprehend a three year old being able to cognitively recognise that they identify with the females around them and see the males as "other", but that everyone around them has it backwards.

originally posted by: EKron
This tends to indicate you feel this "sense of self" is entirely experiential and environmental? Are you discounting innate biological factors or characteristics contribute to the composition of one's sense of self or are they inclusive with your use of "others"? Do we need to have a nature vs. nurture discussion?

I seldom discount anything entirely It's a tough one, no, I don't think that our sense of self is either entirely fixed or entirely mutable, and we are certainly bound by biological, and other determining factors, but whether we are comfortable in our environments is, in my opinion, strongly determined by interactions with "others". I may have to think more about what I mean by "sense of self" if you push me more on this...

There is, however, no nature versus nurture discussion, in my opinion, they are parts of the same whole. We're born incomplete, the one quality makes up for the evolutionary shortcomings of the other, mutually dependent. All human off-spring require nurturing, even if it comes from wolves.

a reply to: Anaana

You're going to force me to actually think, aren't you?

I must ponder on this prior to composing a worthy response. Perceptual abilities as you've defined seems less debatable and I concur, however, it is the subjectivity of "comfortable" and indeed, what elements you do ascribe to the composition of "sense of self" that I haven't quite put my finger on yet.

Hmmm?

Alas, this became a very beautiful and heartwarming thread. It actually brought a few tears to my eyes, not many things can do that for me anymore.

And now, some people are trying their best to tear it down.

a reply to: Seamrog

I can assure you that Jade is a real person. I have her phone number. Fictitious people do not have phone numbers. Not to mention, if I wanted, I could go up a certain highway to a certain city and meet her for concrete, verifiable evidence. In fact, if all of the dominoes I'm lining up in my future fall into place correctly, I will likely be seeing her frequently as a friend.

Now, for everyone else, I request that confidential details that I've divulged in U2Us remain in U2Us. I've already taken a big enough risk replying to this thread.

a reply to: JadeStar

Jade,i've been meaning to ask about your Opinion of Parker Molloy?

*edit to add*

also Calpernia Addams

originally posted by: Darth_Prime
a reply to: JadeStar

Jade,i've been meaning to ask about your Opinion of Parker Molloy?

Trainwreck.

She gives us a bad name. She says really stupid things and seems to delight in being confrontational. That is so tacky and not how I was raised.

When some people in the "community" ask me why I just prefer to blend into cisnormative society rather than constantly wave the trans flag every chance I get it is because of people like her. Being a young woman born differently is not my raison d'etre. I'm not ashamed of my backstory but I do not feel it should perpetually define me anymore than someone who had a heart operation or survived cancer should dwell on those things. Yes they are an important part of a person's history but I feel using that to attack people is wrong and does not win many friends or allies.

*edit to add*

also Calpernia Addams

Almost the polar opposite extreme as Parker Molloy, also to a fault. Time has moved on but she hasn't. She is a study in just how much someone can milk a tragedy for P.R. decades after the fact.

I don't think i'd want to hang with either of them.

originally posted by: Kojiro
I've already taken a big enough risk replying to this thread.

I can relate to that, totally. None of the people in my daily life know anything about my past and I was very apprehensive about coming out here until Jade persuaded me. These issues are nobody's business and personal and I prefer to keep them that way in the real world. Needless to say, it would be somewhat awkward to have all I've posted here be tied to me in real life so I understand your hesitation and the risk about speaking out.

Best of luck to you, Kojiro. Jade is smart about things and I do hope you and her get to become friends. I've said things to her I've never told anyone and trust her absolutely.

originally posted by: JadeStar
I don't think i'd want to hang with either of them.

Heck, I have no idea who either of them even are? Doesn't sound like I want to or that I even care about all this enough to go look them up.

originally posted by: EKron

originally posted by: JadeStar
I don't think i'd want to hang with either of them.

Heck, I have no idea who either of them even are? Doesn't sound like I want to or that I even care about all this enough to go look them up.

You're better off not knowing. Trust me.

a reply to: JadeStar

I agree, she is more of a Bully at times than an actually activist, she has had some hateful comments to the Gay community accusing all gay men of being 'Misogynistic' and saying Drag Queens were all 'Misogynistic' as well

i had one conversation with her, she accused me of being a closeted transgender who is too transphobic and Misogynistic to transition, all because i said i was genderfluid and a Drag Queen..

it's hard to respect her

originally posted by: Darth_Prime
a reply to: JadeStar

I agree, she is more of a Bully at times than an actually activist, she has had some hateful comments to the Gay community accusing all gay men of being 'Misogynistic' and saying Drag Queens were all 'Misogynistic' as well

i had one conversation with her, she accused me of being a closeted transgender who is too transphobic and Misogynistic to transition, all because i said i was genderfluid and a Drag Queen..

it's hard to respect her

I was taught to respect my elders but I draw the line with her.

I may not be as old as she is but from what I've seen in my life it seems the people who scream the loudest accusing others usually are guilty of something themselves.

a reply to: EKron

She is a very nice girl.

a reply to: EKron

Thinking is a lot like riding a bike up a hill, the harder you have to work to get to the top, the closer you'll feel to flying coming down the other side.

It can become quite addictive

I am floundering a little on this one myself, can't quite put my finger on what I think this sense of self I was wittering on about it actually is...it's there but I'm not sure really what I think it is. My brain is fried at the present so I'm going in circles with it and not coming up with anything that really sits right...I'll give it a rest for now, see what pops up of it's own accord. Happy to hear whatever you've got from your perspective...subjective is what it is, it can't be anything else, so don't try and put that to one side, you can't.