Musings of a Trans Man

Just a little tour of my thoughts

[transguyteri]

A History of Homosexuality - Part 2

A History of Homosexuality – Part 2

The Americas –

Homosexuality, or variations of it, not only existed in many Native American tribes, but was celebrated. The concept of the Two-Spirit Individual did not start out as one of homosexuality, but it did address gender roles.

The Two-Spirit Individual – 

A Two-Spirit Individual had traits of both man and woman, and was often recognized when the individual was a child. If the parents…

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[transguyteri]

Time for a Potty Break

Time for a Potty Break

It happens to me time and time again…

I’m out in public, at the mall, at a social event, buying groceries…when it happens.

I have to pee. (Cue dramatic music)

I feel the panic rising in my chest as I determine the level of urgency of my body. And then I barter with myself…

How bad is it, really? Can you hold it until you get home? Is there a single stall bathroom nearby? How busy are the…

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[transguyteri]

Taking Up Too Much Space?

Taking Up Too Much Space?

My fiancée and I had a very interesting discussion the other night. Mira and I were talking about the space we occupy, and despite both the knowledge and belief that we are entitled to that space, sometimes, there is some guilt in occupying our own space. As if fully occupying our space, filled with its happiness and love and good fortune, we are taking away from those who are struggling.

I wrote…

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[transguyteri]

Taking on The Patriarchy as a Transman

Taking on The Patriarchy as a Transman

So it’s been decided – at least in Houston.

The trans community is nothing more than men in dresses with uncontrolled sexual urges who are compelled to attack women in public restrooms. At least in Houston.

Fear mongering has always been a tactic of those who have nothing left to fight with. So it should have been expected. And I suspect that before our side could react, the fear had stretched so…

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[transguyteri]

The Feminist Dude

This past weekend was one of my new favorite yearly events – V to Shining V. For those of you who don’t know, here’s a quick history:

In 2012, Michigan State House Representative Lisa Brown was speaking on the House floor about a bill that was attempting to put strict regulations on abortion providers and ban all abortions after 20 weeks. During the speech, she stated “And finally, Mr. Speaker,…

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[transguyteri]

How does one measure courage?

How does one measure courage? Is an Iraqi war veteran more courageous than a child fighting cancer? Is an amputee more courageous than someone who hasn’t lost a limb? Is an athlete more courageous than a single mother?

If so, then who is the most courageous one of all?

We cannot measure courage. Comparing scars does nothing. Your battle is different than mine, and mine is different than theirs.…

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[transguyteri]

Not All of Us

We’re erasing each other.

“Yeah, but not all men are rapists.”

“Not all white people are racist.”

“Not all Christians hate gays.”

It’s become so important for us to distance ourselves from those groups who these statements are about that we’re missing the point. Of course not all men are rapists. I’m a transguy, and I’m not a rapist, but I also don’t need to tell people that.

“Hi, I’m Teri. I…

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[phlegm-brulee]

Today I was out walking my dog in East Grand Rapids and this man pulled up and started taking pictures of me. I told him to delete every picture he took of me and he refused and said it was "public domain"; to which I respond, "I am not public domain." He continued on to dig in his wallet while I took pictures of his license plate and tried to lure me closer to his car with a little card he said was his business card but the text was handwritten (like seriously? Come on). I started screaming for him to delete every picture so everyone in the neighborhood and probably the next galaxy could hear and after much heated arguing he finally deleted them. As I'm running away he screamed "you got a nice set of tits and pussy," (again, seriously?) at me all the way down the street. So I get home and call the police because I'm an idiot and was hoping maybe someone could help keep this creep off the streets (batman and I aren't talking anymore). The operator briskly and coldly let me know that he was completely in the right and that regardless of consent, if you're on public property, people can take pictures of you. She also informed me that his comments were also fine because its free expression. So since the police have refused to take action, I'm posting this here and on Facebook so people know there's some Wilford Brimley looking motherfucker roaming Grand Rapids taking pictures of girls on the streets.

[transguyteri]

Pre-T Blues

So I’m a transman. I’m new into my transition, and I’m still trying to figure this whole thing out. I don’t really have dysphoria, although I can clearly picture myself with a flat chest, and I look forward to actually having my body match up with what I see in the mirror.

I struggle with bathrooms though. Who would have thought that such a natural function could create such a moment of panic and anxiety. It’s just a bathroom. I’ve been peeing for years. Shouldn’t be that hard.

Ah, just another moment of manhood my body has to get used to. I’m there most days - good gender days far outweigh the bad. But between trying to figure out which bathroom to use (especially as a pre-T guy...if you get my drift...) and being “ma’am’d” on the phone, some days can drag on for weeks. And being pre-T, and still having the wrong gender marker on my driver license, I don’t feel like I have much recourse. Like I’m relegated to using specific things, not because they feel comfortable or because it’s natural, but because the law is against me and if I dare tempt it, I could end up on some kind of twisted sex offender list for transmen. I don’t know if that’s a thing, but it could be, in my mind, so therefore it’s something I struggle with.

Anyone else have this same struggle? I mean I can’t be the only one. 

[transguyteri]

An open letter to the LGBT community:

We’ve been in the news a lot lately, especially regarding DieselTec and business owner Brian Klawiter. Now, I’m not necessarily inclined to believe the ‘death threats’ and graffiti weren’t self-organized in an attempt to keep their name in the news and to keep the publicity rolling in.

But, that is irrelevant. What is relevant is our further actions with him and any other businesses that engage…

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[transguyteri]

Not My Normal Post

Not My Normal Post

So I talk about changing the meaning of ‘manning up’ from being this misogynistic machismo thing to a concept of men taking responsibility for their actions and their lives. I’m working on manning up myself, because I want to be the best man I can possibly be. And I’ve got some really awesome role models to help me fill those shoes. 

Turns out, I’ve got a new guy to add to that list. 

We all…

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[transguyteri]

The Measure of an Activist

The internet has been abuzz as of late about Indiana's RFRA, specifically, about a little pizzeria called Memories Pizza. (By the way, the business didn't bother to purchase their domain name.) The...

[transguyteri]

Real Men Wanted

There’s a problem with the trans men community. We have no role models.

[transguyteri]

Uncloseted

My blog about GLBT issues. Take a look...hope you enjoy!

[transguyteri]

Hiya!

Okay, so I'm new to tumblr. We'll see how this works out...if this will be something I keep up on regularly, or if it turns out to be yet another profile that I'll remember I had years on down the line when I Google my name...

[transguyteri]

[transguyteri]