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.

I've never been explicitly denied anything because I was a chick. And I think the implicit discouragement against so many things for guys is overwhelming and starts from the cradle. I'd hate it, and I'd probably not even know I hated it, it'd be that pervasive.

I was also getting mad at some of the works cited by these students because they kept talking about doing away with the male female binary by introducing a third gender between them, and irrationally I felt there was no requirement for the new gender to be between male and female. Why require a continuum with those poles? Why keep maintaining them as opposites? But that's really an agitation without an oppressed population. All in my own head.

Perkins, what is your Words with Friends handle? I'm a k w

I'm just me. I don't "feel like a woman"; I just feel like me.

That's how I feel. Even when I wished I was carrying less bodyfat, I never felt any kind of disjunction with my physical form. This is part of why I generally sit still and keep quiet during most discussions of sexuality and/or gender. That said, I am so glad to have finally heard about the term "demisexual," as it explains so much.

That said, I am so glad to have finally heard about the term "demisexual," as it explains so much.

True dat.

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.

You're always very clear about that though.

Okay, maybe I have another issue (I'm all full up). Steph, you read the wikipedia kathoey article? You thought they identified as male? Because I thought they identified as either female or 3rd. Which means they're not almost all gay. Because they almost all sleep with men. This is the sort of blurriness I keep encountering that's driving me batshit.

Yeah, in the Wikipedia article, under the heading of "General Description," the first sentence said this (bolding is mine):

The term "kathoey" is not an exact equivalent of the modern Western trans woman, in that "kathoey" suggests that the person self-identifies as a type of male, unlike the term sao praphet song, which (like "trans woman") suggests a female gender identity, or phet thi sam, which suggests a third gender.

Timelies all!

Took my folks to the Sugarland Crafts Festival. Amusingly enough, I was the only one who didn't buy anything. Though there were many shiny dangly earrings to tempt me.

One of the messages for the runners going through my 'hood: [link]

Went back around 10, stayed until 1ish when I realized I was getting sunburned lips. It was a lot of fun. Saw some folks I know that I didn't know were running. Got a lot of appreciation from the runners, people who were clearly at the end of their rope smiled, thanked us and managed to pick it up again. Every time someone had a nametag, we'd call out their name. Or a costume. Wonderwoman, a fair number of tutus, devils, angels, a bride (getting married tomorrow!) powder silver tux, some crazy pastel plaid, a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, Dunkin' Donut's coffee cup, housecoats and dresses with pearls, the guy who runs every marathon he can pushing his severely disabled son (that kid loved the cheering.) Gave so many high-fives.

There were a couple little girls totally grooving out to the music (obviously someone's workout set, it was a near perfect running mix,) and some of the runners would start dancing too.

I love Baltimore.

I've got a serious farmers' tan.