Unlike Hil, I have never wanted to be the opposite gender, because being this one makes it far more societally acceptable to display a wide range of behaviours. Being male would make wearing a skirt hard, but being female and a computer programmer or comic collector is increasingly no biggie.

When I was in high school, I saw the geeky boys playing Magic: the Gathering, and I thought it looked like fun and wanted to learn how to play, but none of them would teach me, because it was a boy thing. Nowadays, I'd just get on the internet and learn myself and find people to play with, but then, I could just scowl.

Why trans* and not just trans?

And I really have to mention here that I feel like a jackass even talking about this.

I don't know why. You've got a crossdressing boyfriend and you move in circles where there's a lot of variety on that spectrum. Of course it's something you'd think about.

Why trans* and not just trans?

Force of habit from elsewhere on the Interpipe. The asterisk is because "trans-" can be the prefix for transgender (no surgery/hormone therapy) or for transsexual (has undergone/is in the process of undergoing surgery and/or hormone therapy).

So the asterisk is an easier way than typing out "transgender/transsexual" every time. It's nerdy and pedantic, but it's also generally the way the trans* community with which I'm familiar uses it. So it's force of habit now.

Oh, well, I'm talking about it (transgender, specifically) because it's interesting to me, but I get that it can be a horribly fraught, painful, psychologically painful thing to deal with. In fact, probably "is" more than "can be" for some portion of that person's life, at least.

I promise not to quote you as expert anywhere. Unless I'm arguing on the internet with someone who is clearly wrong, and I shall use you as a cite and accuse him/her/neither of being Hitler. As one does. Or unless it's about drugs and drug interaction and what's safe to take with what, because I totally do that all the time.

And I really have to mention here that I feel like a jackass even talking about this.

I don't know why. You've got a crossdressing boyfriend and you move in circles where there's a lot of variety on that spectrum. Of course it's something you'd think about.

I think about it, and I live with it, but what I feel like is a white ally talking about what it's like to be black. Or a straight ally talking about what it's like to be gay. Or a dude mansplaining what it's like to be a woman.

I hope that makes sense. I have experience with it, and knowledge about it, but that still doesn't make me any kind of authority. I can only talk about what I know, but I'm always really, really aware that I'm just a cisgender chick passing on information that I hope to god I have correct.

I promise not to quote you as expert anywhere. Unless I'm arguing on the internet with someone who is clearly wrong, and I shall use you as a cite and accuse him/her/neither of being Hitler.

I am opposed to all people being Hitler and you may use me as a Great Big Stick to beat them down!

Or unless it's about drugs and drug interaction and what's safe to take with what, because I totally do that all the time. As one does.

Just don't tell the Hitler people. They don't deserve the knowledge. Let them look it up themselves on their Hitlerinternet.

Duly noted, and I shall proceed accordingly.

Steph, short of having a trans* person here to provide insight, you have more exposure than many of us. I appreciate the conversation because I'd like to have some understanding these issues.

In separate news, CJ is home from his fire call. He was FILTHY dirty from rolling hose and toting oxygen tanks. And he was thrilled by the experience. He definitely has the passion to be a first responder.