When it comes to expressing your gender identity, navigating labels can be tricky. For those identifying as transgender or non-binary, finding the right words is essential.
Obviously, it’s important for people to use language that respects and reflects your identity. Outdated or offensive terms can be hurtful.
However, it’s important to remember that you’re more than just a label!
Ultimately, what matters most is how you personally want to be addressed, regardless of where you fall on the gender spectrum.
So, let’s talk about it!
Do you have a particular term or label that resonates with you – such as crossdresser, transgender woman, non-binary person, or something else?
I’m eager to hear your thoughts, so let’s continue the conversation in the comments below!
Love,
Lucille
In general I ‘label’ myself as a true Androgen. My personality traits and thinking processes have been documented as unusually balanced. As a male I am respected and rewarded quite well in my profession. When I go out as Mandelina Mishael, I am a woman in every way. I interact freely with many different people of either gender. When I need to do almost anything a woman does, I feel comfortable doing so. I shop where I want. I use cash, credit, or checks. I’ve had ‘makeovers’ in Macy’s; dress fittings in Penney’s and everything in between. I’ve even gone to women’s conferences, meetings, and many other social events completely ‘en femme’ with no problem or hesitation. I always dress age appropriate (mature in years, not attitude) and tend to prefer classic makeup/cosmetic looks. I feel I’m able to pull off this perceived masquerade because I try not to overthink possible repercussions and I always smile and make eye contact with everyone I meet. They always see Mishael because that is who I am at that moment.
Although I don’t often subscribe to labels, when I am pushed I am a woman.
This is part me belief in myself as a woman and part experience of other transgendered ladies in the UK. I find that (in my experience) those who describe themselves as T-Girls or Trannies and so on are over the top unconvincing “drag queens”. Perhaps it is that I have just been unlucky in the ladies I have met, I don’t know. However, and to stop waffling, I am definitely a woman and love it 🙂
I’ve been out for 8 years now…..I’m just an old woman….lol.
I really am just a woman….. ancient or otherwise. Have fun being the true you darlings.
I’m a little ambiguous about the use of labels in general.
On one hand, by nature of being human, we can’t just walk up to someone and completely understand what defines and motivates them. We’re all just too complex. So I think preconceptions and labels are a necessary starting point for basic interaction and relating.
On the hand, none of us are ‘cookie-cutter’–we’re all unique. So labels can’t completely apply to anyone. Even moreso considering everyone has a different interpretation of what a label entails (due to varying values and experiences).
It’s a necessary evil, I think. You don’t really want to know the whole encyclopedic life story of each and every stranger you briefly encounter. No one really has that kind of time. It’s even more of a waste if it turns out you dislike that person. So labels help us all “screen out” potential friends and acquaintances.
Personally, I don’t have a label. I might be considered transgender or transsexual, but I’m not like many i’ve heard of. It is a useful tool for me to use though when explaining my situation to people who are having difficulty understanding who I am. But it’s a fine line to walk though, because as soon as you start referring to labels, it’s like opening a flood gate and you have to quickly reconcile their preconceptions or risk losing their open-mindedness.
Hi Lucille
First of all, many many thank for your nice blog. i really get a lot out of it 🙂
I consider myself’ as a Transgender woman, Although I also live as a man with my family. I go out in public as a woman and blend in nicely. I think the term “transgender woman” comes in when the word “Crossdresser” don’t seem to be enough for me, but generally it seems to be the same.
Hugs
Henriette, Denmark 🙂
I like TGirl myself.
April
I don’t put a lot of stock in labels, but I prefer transgender woman or transwoman. Anything else is crude.
I consider myself to be a crossdresser. Although, I sometimes identify with being Transgender woman which I suppose is the same thing because I love wearing panties, pantyhose, skirts, dresses, high heels with 4 1/2 inch heel, lacy satin nighties to sleep in and feel comfortable doing so.