Holy shit. I just talked a cis guy on the internet down from "Let kids be kids" and got him to see why gender-affirming care for teens absolutely cannot wait.
This is one of my greatest achievements. I have a legitimate urge to take a victory lap.
@rachel If you ever find a time machine, give finasteride a try. It's technically a androgen blocker, but because of the roundabout way it does its work, it's usually not gatekept for AMAB girls (at least the closeted ones), and a GP might be willing to prescribe it as a hair preservation medicine. But it has (mild) other benefits for people who are not particular fans of dihydrotestosterone on their brains, too.
@riley@rachel anecdotally, for anyone reading this from the closet, I know a gender fluid person who found finasteride at higher doses (2.5mg+) beneficial for mental health the way hrt is for a lot of people
Because of the way finasteride works, it might possibly lead to a more optimal hormone balance for some people's brains than binary HRT. I reckon most of these people would be enbies of some sort, but, hey, Biology Is Messy, And Sometimes There's Exceptions.
@Impossible_PhD I'm a cis man so feel free to ignore this question. OTOH, I'm asking this question from the point of view of a parent that might need to face this in the future if their kids start feeling that way.
Would be an endgoal a society were we're not longer man and woman, but just people? Would also help if people would not care how other people dress?
Context: I'm trying to raise my kids so they don't think in terms of 'this is an activity for men, this other one for women'.
@mdione@Impossible_PhD „No men and women“ no. „Less pressure from others“ yes. More self-determination. More options. Maybe think of it as „gender-styles“. It’s okay to stick to „traditional“ roles if that makes them happy - unless they press other to comply.
My main problem as a nonbinary person is, that others categorize me by sight and insist on their (binary) judgement, which is especially bad in german because of our totally binary gendered language.
Second problem, somewhat related: Too many places have two and only doors - real and metaphorical -, where a broader entrance made for all would be better for everyone.
So, let people find their gender (style). Find your own and enjoy the diversity. Don’t assume their gender (be neutral until they tell you) and don’t let them press you into their roles. Don’t build unnecessary categories and make rooms open, safe and suitable for all.
> "No men and women" no.
> Maybe think of it as „gender-styles“.
I would just leave it as "styles". I think that all the current clasifications (LGBTQ+ and, yes, C[is]) are still clasifications that not necesarily reflect every body.
I have a she friend. She had a boy friend. Then she dated some women and men, so she was bi. Then two guys, so bigamous. Now back to one guy, and now a kid. What is she? What was she?
@alice it was a rethorical question, and exactly my poi t: she is what she is, she doesn't need labels. I'm just trying to understand those who do. I just wish nobody had to or felt they had to. It's somethink I quite can't express.