So, you've got a vagina, right?

[fauxreal.livejournal.com]

I don't go about announcing my sex.  Do you?  For obvious reasons, it's impractical and unwise to go about announcing that you're transsexual.  No one passes all the time, but I've been fairly lucky in that most people see me and think not only "girl" but "tall, pretty girl."  Online, it's much safer to hang my out my shingle and let it be known.  After all, what's the worst they could do?  So I always put it on things like my profileor in my userinfo or somewhere in the text... something about TG/TS.  I know it's a cop-out because people really don't read these days.  They see the pic and stop there.  I usually ask people how they found me to discover whether they're tranny-chasers or just some schmo who didn't notice.  If I'm enjoying the conversation, I point them back to my profile to notice.  The usual sequence then is I'm viewed as a chance to ask 20 questions, a villain for pointing it out, an apologist for GID, or an opportunity to try something exotic.  No thanks.  But occasionally... *just* occasionaly, I'll actually go through the arguments.  Especially if we've chatted a bit and they consider themselves consistent and rational.

Jamey: What's to explain?
Steve: Something about your gender was left up in the air.  I'm not sure what.
Jamey: No, my gender wasn't up in the air, was it.  Do I not come off as unquestionably female?  It's my sex that's up in the air.
Steve: LOL
Steve: You simply had me curious. Why the interest in such transgender things ?
Steve: I truly do not understand.
Jamey: I do try to be precise in my language.  Gender refers specifically to what is between our ears, and sex (when not referring to intercourse) is what's between our legs.
Steve: Ok then.
Steve: So what is between your legs?  And has something changed there in the past ?
Jamey: Hmmm... Are you between my legs?
Steve: No.
Steve: Seems to be my office I'm still sitting in.
Steve: So I'd say no.
Jamey: Well, if you were, you'd know.
Steve: So this is your way of saying "nunnya"
Jamey: Until then, I won't ask what's between yours, either. It's just bad manners, n'est-ce pas?
Steve: That answers that.
Steve: Well.
Steve: Good luck with that.
Steve: To ask about someone's gender?  No.  I don't think so.
Jamey: Gender is usually very apparent in expression. 
Steve: Well I'd like to know the physical part as well as the mental.
Jamey: *looks at your gender presentation*  I perceive that your gender is male... do I need to ask?
Steve: How about we just say....nevermind? That work?
Jamey: Works for me.
Steve: See ya.
Jamey: Oh, you meant nevermind talking.
Jamey: I see.
Jamey: *tsk, tsk*  Holding me accountable for your own failure to read... My, my, my.
Steve: I prefer to know to what or whom I'm speaking......and you choose not to clarify that.  So.  Have a nice day.
Jamey: You're speaking to a person.
Jamey: You can say that it's a reasonable request to ask what's between my legs when you wouldn't ask it of anyone else, but you're only fooling yourself.
Jamey: Otherwise, you'd have a mighty difficult time.  "Yeah, boss... just one question... You've got a penis, right?  I mean... is it circumcised or what?  I just wanna be clear here and know who I'm talkin' to."  "I'm sorry, your Honor, but I just wanna be clear on something.  You've got a vagina, right?  Cause I don't wanna be misunderstanding here.  I mean, yeah you've got breasts, but these days... *shrugs*"