[Popcorn&Candy]

I second your post, Ashlee T.

[Lakewolf Whitecrow]

I read a fair bit of that article. Maybe I’m just too old school, but the way it’s presented I feel like I need a degree in psychology to understand the basics of human sexuality. It can’t be this complicated.

It’s more complicated than most people realize.
Take me, for example.
In the ‘80s, I had a friend/partner who wanted to find out why I had to shave on a daily basis. Turns out that my testosterone is as high as a man’s, even though my secondary sexual development is that of a female.
I’ve often wondered what a DNA test would reveal, but not curious enough to actually get one done.

I am a demisexual who is mostly attracted to women, though my experience has shown me that it’s the person that I’m attracted to & fall in love with, not the body they’re in. I was involved with a female-to-male transsexual for a period of time. I loved him so much that our breakup emotionally devastated me, leading me to my first inpatient psychological treatment.

To this day, I love him more than I can express in words. Mark, if you’re reading this, please respond.

I’d like to know how you’re doing.

[Lakewolf Whitecrow]

Wouldn't that be amazing! If we could all see each other as MrMr described during combat, as people, as family, etc.

I see someone as who they are inside. When I was younger, I was bullied for this, to the point that when I left for school, I didn’t know if I’d be home in the evening, or hospitalized (or dead).

My psychiatrist refers to it as “battlefield PTSD”, since, for seven years, my life, when going to and coming home from school, was always in danger.
No one should have to live like that!

I guess that’s why I defend those who are disabled and/or elderly so vehemently.

Botton line: It’s the person inside the body of who matters, not the suit of skin they happen to find themselves in...and it is really that simple.

[Popcorn&Candy]

I absolutely agree, Lakewolf Whitecrow.

I am sorry for what you went through. You should never have been targeted for being you are were and who you are. You're right to defend those going through similar abuse and general nastiness. Because no one should be bullied for being different.

Wouldn't the world be a boring place if we were all the same?

[Ashlee T.]

I see someone as who they are inside. When I was younger, I was bullied for this, to the point that when I left for school, I didn’t know if I’d be home in the evening, or hospitalized (or dead).

My psychiatrist refers to it as “battlefield PTSD”, since, for seven years, my life, when going to and coming home from school, was always in danger.
No one should have to live like that!

I guess that’s why I defend those who are disabled and/or elderly so vehemently.

Botton line: It’s the person inside the body of who matters, not the suit of skin they happen to find themselves in...and it is really that simple.

We agree!

Sometimes, a person's face will pop into my head that I haven't seen for nearly 20 years and I will remember scenes from childhood where that person was bullied. When I was younger, I did not stand up for them. I did not participate in what was done to them, but I consider myself no better than the bully because I did not speak up. I was painfully shy. Anyway, I still have flashbacks of those things, remembering even the look on the kids face when the bully or bullies were doing whatever they were doing. Hurt, embarassment, misery, pain. Although, once I got a bit older (middle and high school) I began actively defending the bullied, I never forgot about what happened to some of the kids in elementary school. And if I'm still thinking about it, I'm certain they are, too.

I'm sorry you went through something so severe that you feared for your life. You are right, no one should have to live like that.

I am so proud of parents who teach their kids that it is okay to be different and that a person should never be treated differently because of how they look, what gender they identify with, what their biological sex is, what their sexual orientation is, etc. I do think that someday, we will look back on topics such as these and feel baffled that we ever cared.

Glad you're here.

[Lucille]

Thank you for explaining this. It seems there are so many gender differences these days and it can be very confusing. I don't even think about which gender a person is anymore. I just focus on the individual and their needs, feelings, etc.

[Ashlee T.]

That's a great approach, Lucille!

[Popcorn&Candy]

I agree with you, Lucille. Everyone is an individual and should not need a label.

All are different, all are great.