Choice and rights

One of the things the bigots like to throw at us is that they think we made a choice to be LGBT. The argument is that we LGBT should tow the line and not be different than the 'norm'.
This is basically the bible beating crowd saying 'my beliefs trump your right to freedom'.

Since when?
Oh yeah since forever...

Well guess what?
I will never again give ground on this. If I choose to be LGBT or if it is an innate part of my makeup is of no consequence at all. The real issue at hand is a group of religious individuals seem to think that their religion has the right to make the laws that we all must live by.
I say phooey!
That is theocracy and I refuse to bow to your god.

Amazon is just plain wrong!

https://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/sevan-bussell/tell-amazon-to-change-their-settings-for-transgender-search-in-books/10150628271747119

If you do not have facebook here is the body of the note.

Ok. NOT ok Amazon!! :( :( I just went to Amazon.com and was looking up books on the topic of transgender issues so I could bring a few titles to group tomorrow. When I searched "Transgender" under books the VERY FIRST book was called something I'd rather not repeat(but rest assured it's a VERY adult title with no mistaking what it's about!!). This is NOT ok!!! This should NOT be the very first book on the topic! I WILL be telling Amazon about this, and I please ask you to share this, and tell Amazon how you feel! I have *no* problem with adult materials, but it doesn't belong under that keyword by itself. Someone looking for help or information should not find fetish at the top of the list!!
I am a facilitator of a local trans group in my town and I was looking for titles that would help my group, and those around us that might like more information. For that title to be the FIRST of the list is unacceptable. For FOUR adult titles to be in the top 10 books of my search is FURTHER insulting and unacceptable.Please share this note! Pass it on, and tell Amazon how you feel.

amazon-pr@amazon.com

Aws-pr@amazon.com

kindlepr@amazon.com

(206) 266-7180

.

Politics and sex.

Yesterday I sent an email to John D. Ragan State Representative of TN, taking him to task over his recent homophobic statements.

His office responded and here is his reponse:


"Dear Cynthia,
... I find it amazing that those who demand tolerance from others are so intolerant toward others.
A person is a heterosexual because of the presence of genitalia of one sex or the other. No one except a very few with an exceedingly rare congenital deformity have both kinds of genitalia.
The term, "sexual orientation" is based entirely upon "feelings" according to the American Psychological Association definition. I went to great lengths with multiple examples and illustrations to point out that "feelings" do not "control" behavior. I also went to similar lengths to point out that descriptors based upon behavior do not apply to those who may "feel," be "oriented," a certain way but do not engage the behavior of the applicable descriptor.
Given that everyone born without the previously mentioned birth defect is heterosexual, the defining characteristic of homosexuality (not sexual orientation) is behavior. Behavior is a choice, as I am sure you agree. Therefore, one chooses to engage in homosexual behavior or not. if one chooses not to engage in homosexual behavior, then the descriptor of that behavior is not applicable regardless how that person may "feel" or be "oriented."
I trust this exposition has clarified the issue for you.

Regards,
John D. Ragan
State Representative"
 
 
I do not think that this is a cogent argument to discriminate against LGBT folks.
 
Cynthia Nixon just made a big kerfuffle when she said that for her being gay is a choice.
Pissed allot of people off.
But I understand where she is comeing from.
 
I can choose to be sexually active with men or women. For the vast majority of my lesbian and gay peers it is not a choice.
But what if it was? What if every single gay person could control it and choose to be straight? Would it suddenly validate the bigots?
NO!
 
No one has a right to impose their religions standards of living on anouther person.
Basically put, your choice of religion does not trump my right to choose who I love, live with, make love too or even fuck. It is simple really. Remeber the entire freedom thing?
 
There is no valid argument against LGBT people that can be posited that does not rely on scripture. None. Nada. Zip.
 
The Bible has no place in the court room, it should likewise have no place in the legislature.

A simple rebutal of Dirt's position.

The nemesis of FTM transition is 'Dirt'. I am sure many of our FTM out there are aware of Dirt.

One of her premises is that female to male transsexuals transition to escape the male gaze and to avoid being masturbatory fuel for male sexual fantasy. That the woman inside is seeking to escape the confines of patriarchy that holds her down.
huh
Sounds almost reasonable at first glance what with all we know about patriarchy doesn't it?
But it fails under scrutiny.

So if female body dysphoria is solely fueled by a desperate attempt of the female soul to escape patriarchy why is it that there are male to female transsexuals?
What are they trying to escape? Certainly not the patriarchy, it favors the natal male.

Perhaps their is one set of influences making FTM and another MTF?
Nope. Listen to the stories of FTM and MTF and there is a similarity in them that is striking. Both the FTM and the MTF feel an intense discomfort in their birth sex. It is like wearing someone elses shoes. Even if the size is right they will never feel right.
When puberty hits the transsexual is freaked out. If the transsexual chooses to live his or her life in their birth sex they live a life of misery. Only when the transsexual transitions do they feel any sense of relief.
Transsexuals suffer from a form of intersex. Simplified to the lowest common denominator the brain is one sex and the genitals are another.
The brain is the biggest part of our reproductive system, it is hard wired to our genitals.
When you put the wrong brain in the wrong body there is a disconnect that is very painful. Basically you have the wrong software for the peripherals being used.

So I ask you this reader...
If the body can demonstrate that it is intersexed in one part of the body (genitals) why do some people rage against the idea that another part of the body (brain) can be intersexed?


I'll tell you why. Some people fear that this will lead to gender essentailism. That what you have between your legs determines your limits and abilities.
Which is bunk. It has been demonstrated time and time again that the only vocation that is gender specific is wet nurse.

Have a great day.

Hugz and luv,
Cynthia Lee

Happy New Year

Sorry we haven't posted in so long.

Life is in that rather boring state of day to day. Not much going on to be honest.

We had a decent Holiday Season.

I hope everyone out there had a good time over the holidays.

2012 is on us. On the 21st of December we will see the reseting of the Mayan long count calander. I highly doubt there will be anything to write home about but on the off chance I am wrong on this, may this be a good year if it is to be our last.
;)

On the transition front there is nothing new to report. Which is good and bad. I seem to have grown into my life as a woman with ease, but I am still stuck pre op.
Saving money for my surgery is nearly impossible in this economy. Unless things turn around for every one we are stuck.
Here is hopeing the economy turns around for all of us!

Hugz and luv,
Cynthia Lee