For many years I felt isolated from the queer community as a whole. I was always “the transgirl". I basically lived a lot of it as a token. I used to think it was unimportant to find people like me, that searching for other trans women to hang out with was a bad thing.
I did have one friend…
I think you answered your own question here.
Masculine is just seen as ‘better’ in our; and many other, societies. I don’t personally consider my femininity a weakness, this female body is just not for me.
Being a woman; be it trans or otherwise, is just not easy. CHOOSING to be a woman is probably the hardest of all.
I’d like to applaud those transwomen I do know, as its a struggle for all of you.
Also- I think being trans and being accepted varies from region to region. I’m sensing a LOT of bias against transgender people within my own state right now (FtM and MtF equally), as there is virtually no T in the LGBT groups here in North Carolina. (correct me if I’m wrong, but I can’t find many active trans gender groups in the state!)
I’m also seeing some things within the trans community and the way trans people treat one another; as well as other groups like genderqueer/crossdressers/etc. , that make me feel like the acceptance/non-acceptance road goes both ways here.
I juuuust want to make one thing clear, and I’m doing this publicly so others can see it:
Please do not use words like “choosing” in regards to being trans. It’s kind of hurtful because being trans is far from a choice. Trust me, if it were, my life would prooobably suck a bit less, but who knows.