What is more acceptable to 'heteronormative people'?

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Do 'heteronormative people' find it more acceptable to be homosexual or trans?
I'm straight and I think homosexuality is more accepted 44%  44%  [ 14 ]
I'm straight and I think trans is more accepted 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
I'm straight and I think they are equally accepted/scorned 25%  25%  [ 8 ]
I'm not straight and I think homosexuality is more accepted 19%  19%  [ 6 ]
I'm not straight and I think trans is more accepted 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
I'm not straight and I think they are equally accepted/scorned 9%  9%  [ 3 ]
I'm trans and I think homosexuality is more accepted 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
I'm trans and I think trans is more accepted 3%  3%  [ 1 ]
I'm trans and I think they are equally accepted/scorned 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Total votes : 32

GGPViper
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05 Nov 2012, 2:50 pm

puddingmouse wrote:
Most of transgender people's problems come not from radical feminists, but from the gender norms of patriarchal society. which is what leads to their isolation and violent attacks that are made upon them. I do think they have every reason to be as concerned about patriarchy as I am.


That's funny. *My* initial guess would be that the problems of transgender individuals are caused by the fact that their biological gender does not match their psychological gender... which my previously posted studies of brain structure document...

That is also the conclusion I arrive at after going through the threads on transsexualism in the LGBT Discussion thread. But apparently your expertise in the field is superior to those who are actually transgender, have a formal diagnosis, and have transitioned.

The gender norms of patriarchal society, on the other hand, seem unconvincing to me, however. Perhaps this is due to the complete lack of evidence?



puddingmouse
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05 Nov 2012, 7:53 pm

GGPViper wrote:
puddingmouse wrote:
Most of transgender people's problems come not from radical feminists, but from the gender norms of patriarchal society. which is what leads to their isolation and violent attacks that are made upon them. I do think they have every reason to be as concerned about patriarchy as I am.


That's funny. *My* initial guess would be that the problems of transgender individuals are caused by the fact that their biological gender does not match their psychological gender... which my previously posted studies of brain structure document...

That is also the conclusion I arrive at after going through the threads on transsexualism in the LGBT Discussion thread. But apparently your expertise in the field is superior to those who are actually transgender, have a formal diagnosis, and have transitioned.

The gender norms of patriarchal society, on the other hand, seem unconvincing to me, however. Perhaps this is due to the complete lack of evidence?


No need to spit so much venom. I meant in the sense that with a disability (no, I'm not calling transgender a disability) most of the problems, especially social problems are created externally - by ableism in society. Of course it sucks to have a disability in itself, just like it sucks for you psychological gender to not match your sex. That's why we have transitioning to ameliorate that, and I think it should be freely accessible for people who need it.

I don't deny that transgender is an actual biological thing, as I stated in my OP. I was just saying there are other elements to the problems it causes people. Why do you think transsexuals are marginalised in society? I say mostly due to traditional attitudes to sex and gender, which seems like a sensible theory (though, no I don't have evidence). You are presupposing what my views are because I label myself a feminist. This is not an unreasonable thing for you to do, but I find it frustrating to always be arguing against projections.

And now if you're going to say, 'no it's because you're a transphobic idiot with no shred of evidence', then I'll just go and :wall:



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05 Nov 2012, 10:09 pm

Also, I'd like to say that I have gender dysphoria myself. I don't feel that my physical gender reflects my psychological one - as psychologically I'm agender. I would genuinely like an androgynous body to match how I feel, but the results probably wouldn't be good and I still wouldn't be accepted as what I feel I am. Surgery and hormones wouldn't solve most of my problems (though I support people being able to access those things). I have dysphoria about the fact that I have a female body - but most of my problems are caused by societal gender roles. I would like to appear more androgynous, but it's hard because people expect me to look feminine (not that it's limited to appearance). I'm not saying my experience is the same as all transgender people's but I don't like the assertion that I'm ignorant about this.



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31 Oct 2015, 10:43 am

puddingmouse wrote:
Being homosexual, or being transsexual? I ask this because I have no idea (I'm not straight).

I'm a radical feminist myself, but I don't know how accurate the claim is that other rad fems make. They claim that trans is more acceptable to the general population or 'heteronormative people', hence the whole phenomenon of parents giving hormones to their young children who exhibit gender dysphoria. The argument runs that it's feared that those children who are not gender-conforming will grow up to be homosexual or otherwise queer, and parents fear that more than the idea that their child has a medical condition that can be 'treated' by early transition. They argue that what homophobes really object to about about homosexuality isn't so much the gay sex part of it, but the perceived or actual gender nonconformance. Medicalising this behaviour as 'trans' makes it easier to deal with.

Now, I'm not saying I buy this argument. I'm very sceptical of it because of what the trans people I've known have said. I differ from other radical feminists in that I believe trans is seriously 'for real' and not, in itself, a plot from the patriarchy. Violence and discrimination against trans people is just as shocking as it is againt cis homosexuals. You can also be gay and trans.

However, I made this poll because I honestly don't know how the majority of heterosexuals see this issue. I realise that most people who are going to reply don't have homophobic or transphobic opinions, but what do you think are the thoughts of those who do? What would be harder to deal with if you were a parent: a homosexual child or a trans one? I suspect that you would accept the child in both circumstances, but there has to be a bit of discomfort in adjusting to either situation. I personally would find it more 'comfortable' (sorry about that wording) if my child was homosexual, but I think that's because I am bisexual myself. I don't know if I would see it differently if I was totally hetero.

I also realise that the concept of 'heteronormative people' is horribly vague because everyone is an individual with their own opinion and not every person who is heteronormative sometimes is heteronormative all the time.

You do have societies in this world where homosexuals are put to death, or otherwise persecuted, but they have a cultural place for their own version of 'trans' (even if it's not equivalent to the Western medicalised version). That isn't to say that the people in that 'trans' cultural niche are seen as equals in all cases. So I think, maybe on a global scale, the rad fem argument may have a grain of truth in it, but I don't see trans and gay rights as antagonistic aims as a result.

Also, not specifically related to how 'accepted' it is, I think being trans is harder to deal with 'personally' than being gay. There's a bigger community there for you and there are more role models.


I'm fully heterosexual. Like many heterosexuals I know, we view LGBT(whatever) people as regular people, and we really don't care about their sexual preferences. Even my parents and grandparents don't care about homosexuals or transexuals. My great grandmother didn't care. It was none of their business. If a gay person, or a trans needed their help, then they'd help them. Same with me, and my friends.

I personally see sexual orientation as a sexual form of expression. Whatever floats your boat.

People are people. What you like in the bedroom, is none of my business.

So, to answer your question, most heterosexuals don't really think about the struggles of trans and gay people, because there is nothing to discriminate against in the first place. Homosexuality and even transexuality is natural, and a completely logical sexual orientation, given that there are only two sexes to choose from. Seeing as the choice is so limited, enough people will be attracted to same sex, or want to switch.

Either way, I am supportive of LGBT(whatever), and like most straight people, are not bothered by homosexuality, or transexuality, and will treat these people as regular people like everyone else.