Hey all :D I read a post on Tumblr recently, though I can’t find it again, but I’m curious to know how you guys feel about the idea of encouraging transid folks to remove the trans- prefix from their ids if they want to, since it’s their identity.
So, for example, someone who is not diagnosed autistic and doesn’t fit the autism diagnostic criteria, but is transautistic, could say they are autistic because of their transid. I’m not debating the validity of their feelings because I support it 100% without doubt, but I do think language is important in communication and have some mixed feelings about it, especially considering how niche our community is and how literally nobody else uses cis- language outside of gender (it is just assumed that cisautistics are naturally autistic). I also don’t think it is a good idea to give transids a 1:1 comparison to transgender ids, as things rarely are so directly comparable, though I do accept a lot of rhetoric and backlash against transids in support of transgender is hypocritical.
When it comes to gender, it’s perfectly acceptable to go stealth and encourage others to see you as a gender without them knowing you transitioned. Although we like to use transgender as an example a lot, I feel transids are just not the same. If I told others I am Japanese, because I feel as though I should be and long for my self image to match it, I feel that would be lying since I am not Japanese in my body or my background. I have never even been to Japan! I also would be afraid of backlash in none-rq circles once it is found out I’m trace, not physically Japanese.
I just think the idea is interesting yet flawed, and am curious to know if others feel similarly or totally disagree.
@panda@rqd2.net An indispensible part of support for all transids is accepting the genuine reality of the identification. I realize that feels like a step too far, but that’s because the oppressive force of of hegemony is strong and virtually nobody can avoid internalizing some of it. Nevertheless, I am a child, and I don’t need to say “transage” if I don’t feel like it. You are Japanese, and you don’t need to say “transrace” if you don’t feel like it. You deserve to be seen for who you are. We deserve to be seen for who we are! No half measures, no hesitation, we seize our future and claim it with pride!
Thank you so much for your input. I guess I struggle to figure out where the “should be” line ends and the “is” line begins, though it is very affirming to be acknowledged directly like that, so thank you.