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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Transgenders, lesbians and straight women

Transgenders, lesbians and straight women are people with labels. Why do we look at them differently even though they are the same. A woman is a woman why a label. I prefer a soft silky body other than my own whether she is straight, trans or lesbian.

So please someone tell me what the difference is, aren't we all the same?


poprocks's picture

trans, les, and straight women.

I think it all depends on self-evaluation. Like what we see in ourselves when we look in the mirror everyday and how we choose to label it. But I think this whole labeling system ties into what sexually attracts or satisfies us.

It doesnt necessarily mean labeling ourselves is bad, it's just an easier way to know what we want in what form we want it in.

I agree, why label a woman if she's woman? But I also think it's kind've a tribal thing. Everyone, subconciously or not, wants to belong to a group.

Wow, I hope that makes sense. haha

shauna3930's picture

Not knowing the answer

In our own mind we consider ourselves women, no label, we are who we are but we label everyone else. Everyone to me are human, different genders but human.

To look in the mirror I seen a beautiful girl that turned into a gorgeous woman, she stepped out of that mirror one day in April and the man vanished into the mirror. Two genders, two souls that is what I seen in my mirror. Funny though, there were no labels. Crazy huh?

 

Nyssa's picture

I think

People like labels. We say that we so not care, but like things that are comfortable.

However some lables have a lot of baggage that is connected to them, distrust that we  have picked up growing up. I know an ex of mine, he is always talked about as she behind his back because that is what people have learnt to label him, regardless of how much he has changed.

Transexuals are on the edge of this acceptace, and some decide to hide their past to cover this, which may lead to more mistrust. 

 

~~

Obi~Wan was wise hiding your sister from me, but you were an idiot when you posted about her on your blog.

shameless

 

Trix's picture

I don't know what you're getting at here

Because we're not all the same. Butch cis-women are different to femme cis-women. Stone butches or femmes are different to non-stone people. Androgenous dykes are different to lipstick lesbians. Straight women are way less likely to sleep with other women. Transwomen may or may not present in a way that appeals... then again, cis-women may not either. However, transwomen have had a different set of early life experiences and assumptions, and different experiences of sexism and bigotry. But as we all have had different formative experiences, they have all made us what we are.

I think you're trying to claim acceptance based on the fact that we are "all the same". Since that's patently not true - other than the fact we're all human beings - I think asking that people accept difference is more constructive. And acknowledge the fact that we've all have experiences of difference in our lives - save the judgements for those that may have a detrimental affect on your life.

Jes's picture

i like what you said

i like what you said trix. sort of the same idea when people say america is not a melting pot but a "salad bowl." you don't need to lose all the individual identities to live harmoniously alongside each other--or at least that's the ideal i guess.

i do have a question for you...i seem to have never received my rainbow handbook in the mail, and i admit to feeling grossly uneducated when people start throwing out terms like you just did. can you explain some of those definitions as you perceive them? also, i'm interested in whether identifying as a certain type of lesbian pertains to only projected appearance--or whether it extends to sexual preferences. seriously, just curious, because my girlfriend and i never really identified as any type...and she doesn't know the answers either.

(i thought this was off-topic, but i guess it is still a shoot-off of labeling one's self.)

Trix's picture

Sorry I didn't catch this earlier

The commenter below explained the stone terms and cis- vs trans-gender. As for whether being a certain type of lesbian is more about appearance than anything, that's a big topic! Some of them are easy, because the label does define the behaviour - so a true stone butch won't be touched while having sex - she does all the work - and a stone femme is exactly the opposite. Lipstick lesbian is commonly defined as a feminine-appearing lesbian (whether or not she IDs as femme) who prefers other feminine-appearing lesbians.

As for butch and femme, that's where it gets a bit muddy. It's definitely about presentation, and also about certain behaviours. But you can't break it down to say that butches only drink beer, won't cook, won't be fucked and always watch sport. I'm butch and I like cocktails (and Belgian beer), I love cooking, being fucked (although I like "doing" even more) and hate watching most sport. But I like fixing my 30-year-old car, I'll never ever wear a frock, my hair is shorter than most men's, I've been a "tomboy" since I was conscious, I like taking care of my femme girlfriend and I work in a techie field. My g/f likes wearing skirts and frocks, has long hair, but works as a senior manager in the public service, kicks serious arse, does Chinese martial arts, is not in the slightest bit high-maintenance, and is most definitely someone you do not fuck round with (except in the bedroom). 

And there are plenty, zillions, of no-label lesbians who don't slot into a category, nor do they need to. Most of my girlfriends have been like that. They've been nearly all femmier than me, in terms of being more conventionally feminine, but they haven't considered themselves to be "femme", while they still appreciated my qualities, butch and otherwise. I do happen to slot into a particular label, but it's not necessary for anyone else to do so. I'm glad that we no longer have to pick a role like butch/femme. It's fine if it fits you, but I wouldn't have liked to have been one of those 50s butches who fought all the time, and never let her partner touch her - it must have been hideous for those lesbians like Audre Lorde who were neither one extreme or the other.

Having a salad bowl for a societal model is much better . :-)

RedBeet's picture

terms

stone butch (via wiki): a woman who is strongly masculine in character and dress, who tops their partners sexually (and sometimes emotionally), and who does not wish to be touched genitally.


Cisgender (via) (IPA: [sɪs dʒɛn dɝ], from Latin cis and gender) is a concept in queer studies that labels persons who are not transgendered as something other than simply "normal". That is, it provides a name for a gender identity or performance in a gender role that society considers to match or be appropriate for one's sex.

shauna3930's picture

OMG, I stand corrected.

You are absolutely right, I just wish I were born 100% female and not be a label of sort like Intersex transgender woman. Yes I have lived 2 lives and yes I have seen both sides of male and female, not by choice mind you. I am sorry for not seeing the big picture.

jackedup77's picture

Labels are safe.  Humans

Labels are safe.  Humans natually seek those who are just like them.  They like to keep that group small. Humans naturally live in clans or cliques.  It's gives us a sense of security.

Solidarity, equality, and unity are these big Idealistic words that no one is really interested in.  Because those ideas are inherently dangerous.  We live under the false presumption that those who are just like us will protect us and defend us.  That they are more loyal and trustworthy.  Inclusion is only desired by those who are not included.  People already in the fold are not interested in inviting others in.

If there is any trait that makes you different, you are automatically untrustworthy.  And above all, scary.   Oddly enough, you only hear the outsider (minority) speak of unity or equality because they are just trying to reach level ground. Rarely does one want to associate with those who are being judged or persecuted (unless they've suffered from the same persecution) because they don't want that turned on them.  

Some don't understand that people accepting your differences is not the same as being included.  And most of us want inclusion but  our differences is what separates us and gives them reason to exclude us.

There will always be "us and them" in the realm of human relations.  People will always find reasons not to accept you or include you.  

So the key is to be open and accepting of others.  "Be the change you want to see in the world."  Then find those who will embrace you as a unique human being and cherish them, because they are rare. 

renee's picture

we are not the same

if we were all the same it would be a boring world. I agree with jackedup.... stay open and accepting. I dont like how hard lesbians can be on a person thats bi or bi curious. Everybody isnt fortunate enough to know they are gay as soon as they come out of the womb. I invite straight women into my life and let them see how i live because Im a good example and role model in the gay community. Im proud of who I am and we all should be. Spread the Love..... stop the hate!!!!!

Little D's picture

Well said. Even though

Well said.

Even though when talking about myself I think of the terms as 'handy descriptors' more than 'labels', I've still had people tell me that I have to be exclusive to one category or another, rather than be who I am. 'You can't be lesbian if you're trans.' 'You can't really be trans if you're a lesbian.' 'There's no such thing as lesbian-asexual.' When people say these to me, it just makes them sound insecure to my ears.

It's like saying someone can't watch football if they like basketball. And that if they do like basketball, they must live their lives devoted to watching every game they possibly can.

(Holy crap, did I just use a sports metaphor?)

Proud 2B Bi's picture

Well personally I don't

Well personally I don't really believe most women are straight or lesbians. And I'm absolutely sure most women are not transgenders.

Labels can be dangerous. However everyone needs to feel identified with being something and someone - even if that means you end up saying - "I'm not straight, lesbian or bi, or trans, or queer - I'm just me." :)

shauna3930's picture

I am just me

God made me a woman and a unique one at that. I may be Intersex MTF transgender, I am still me and I love myself very much and someone will too.