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Briar alerted us to an item on BBC Radio 4 Woman's Hour at 1000 BST today, Wednesday 1/7/09 regarding Cher's daughter transitioning to male.

Unfortunately, this is one of the programmes that is not available to 'listen again' but I believe that the audience is substantial. Jenny Roberts, who was discussing this with the presenter Jenni Murray was herself transexual.

I've looked up newspaper sites and so far all reporting seems to be reasonable, i.e. not too sensational. I suppose because it's FtM, it won't attract so much attention as FtM. That's not me being sexist; that's just my opinion of the press.

Susie

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Comments

It's not you being sexist, it's everyone else!

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I think you're right, FtM transitions seem to be a lot less controversial than MtF, and thus less newsworthy. I think, at least subconsciously, many people still see an FtM transition to be a step up, and an MtF transition to be a step down. Patriarchy, you've got to love it! ;)

Saless

"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

"But it is also tradition that times *must* and always do change, my friend." - Eddie Murphy, Coming To America

Dr Stephen Whittle…

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…who is F2M and a tireless campaigner for the rights of GID people, also took part in the discussion, and his contribution was perhaps more cogent to the case of Cher's daughter.

Gabi.

“It is hard for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.” Thomas Hardy—Far from the Madding Crowd.

Gabi.

“It is hard for a woman to define her feelings in language which is chiefly made by men to express theirs.” Thomas Hardy—Far from the Madding Crowd.

Lesser Stigma

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You have to remember, women can "cross-dress" without being considered "wierd". Women have slacks, pants, or jeans as socially-acceptable options if they choose not to wear skirts. Women even have 'boycut' underwear, when was the last time you saw 'girlcut' underwear for men?

So I have to wonder many FTM transsexuals just slip by under the radar, so to speak.

I went outside once. The graphics weren' that great.

Thanks so much

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I suspect you're right. A lot of genetic women in history and in modern times have 'slipped below the radar' in order to fulfil their wish to adopt that which society perceives as a male role.

Very few of the transmen that I know, are obvious. They rarely attract a second glance, except by a woman who fancies him.

I suspect that it's, as you say, seen as a step up for transmen. but maybe this will reinforce that which we all know. It's not a matter of choice; we don't just decide today, "I think I'll change sex."

BTW Thanks for the link; I may have tried to listen too early.

Susie

PS I've e-mailed the programme with the following;

"Jenni Murray's interview this morning was interesting; it seemed that Jenni laboured the view that gender transition (not 'Sex Change' please - it's so wrong) is some kind of choice.

It isn't. The only choice we make is how we deal with a situation with which we are born.

We DO NOT chose to be male or female; that decision is made in the womb months before we are born. Some of us are born with bodies which differ from our perceived gender.

Transsexual people are doing their best to deal with a situation not of their own making. Please support them."

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