Is it Society That Injures Us?
Nov. 2nd, 2004 01:23 pmFirst post here. Just some thoughts.
I’ve been considering transitioning and all factors associated with doing this. What reaction will I get from people? Will people who supposedly care about me turn their backs on me? Will society turn it’s back on me? Maybe I’ll get harassed everywhere I go, when I stop pretending to be what I’m not. Maybe I’ll get bashed in a dark alley.
It always comes down to the point of ‘Do I really want to put myself through this?’ Can I live in the body I have or do I need to change it?
I’ve wondered, is it my body that injures my sense of self the most or is it society? How different would things be if I could just tell people who and what I feel I am and be accepted – just like that?
Surely I would feel more comfortable in the ‘right’ body, but would I be happy? I don’t think happiness comes purely from being myself – it comes when people see you as you really are. When they stop projecting their views and judgments onto you. When they stop trapping you into a box of their misguided perceptions.
If those misconceptions were gone, would I feel such a driving need to change myself? Do I have to change myself to present a ‘proper’ image for people to see me for who I really am and to let me live how I want to? Or do I need to change things purely for myself and damn the rest of the world?
I’ve been considering transitioning and all factors associated with doing this. What reaction will I get from people? Will people who supposedly care about me turn their backs on me? Will society turn it’s back on me? Maybe I’ll get harassed everywhere I go, when I stop pretending to be what I’m not. Maybe I’ll get bashed in a dark alley.
It always comes down to the point of ‘Do I really want to put myself through this?’ Can I live in the body I have or do I need to change it?
I’ve wondered, is it my body that injures my sense of self the most or is it society? How different would things be if I could just tell people who and what I feel I am and be accepted – just like that?
Surely I would feel more comfortable in the ‘right’ body, but would I be happy? I don’t think happiness comes purely from being myself – it comes when people see you as you really are. When they stop projecting their views and judgments onto you. When they stop trapping you into a box of their misguided perceptions.
If those misconceptions were gone, would I feel such a driving need to change myself? Do I have to change myself to present a ‘proper’ image for people to see me for who I really am and to let me live how I want to? Or do I need to change things purely for myself and damn the rest of the world?