my sketchbook/random posting

Should kids be trans?

So recently I was involved in some controversy, which is unlike me bc I literally hate being involved in drama. But I feel that instead of an argument, this should be a learning opportunity for people who don't know much about this subject. I'm very engaged with topics of healthcare and bodily autonomy (such as reproductive rights and gender-affirming medical care), and I happen to have an even deeper understanding about this particular subject because i'm a trans person myself! :D

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DISCLAIMER: 

I am a trans person, I will be stating facts along with my personal experiences. This is mainly just facts, little to none of my opinions. (If I talk about opinions I will make it clear that it is JUST an opinion.) That being said, opinions are absolutely welcome and while I do respect people's beliefs, hate will not be tolerated. My page is a safe space, if somebody says something hurtful, I will inform them on why it was offensive, and if they continue to push hate they will be blocked.

This is meant to be educational, mainly talking about facts, while also giving insight of things that trans people experience. Including all people under the trans umbrella, binary and non binary! :D

Also, feel free to ask questions!!!

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Key: 

AFAB = Assigned female at birth

AMAB = Assigned male at birth

AIAB = Assigned interex at birth

FTM = Female to male transgender

MTF = Male to female transgender

HRT = Hormone replacement therapy 

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Anyways! Let's start out simple, what is a transgender person? What is a cisgender person?

Transgender: A person whose gender identity is different from the sex they were assigned at birth.

Cisgender:  Someone whose internal sense of gender corresponds with the sex the person was identified as having at birth.

They can be shortened to "trans" and "cis"

Now why might somebody identify as trans? For most (but not all) trans people, they feel a need to transition because of something called "gender dysphoria".

Gender dysphoria: The feeling of discomfort or distress that might occur in people whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth or sex-related physical characteristics.

Gender dysphoria is not just "hating your body", there are many different aspects to it. (You can do research or ask me more about it, but I won't get too much into it right now.) 

Additionally, not all trans people feel dysphoria. (I can talk more about that another time too.)

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Now that you got the basics, let's move on to the conversation!

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The original question that started all of this was: "Should kids be trans?"

I'll be covering some things that were said, along with definitions and facts about the point, the things that are correct and incorrect (factually.)

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Okay, one thing that was repeated in the conversation was that trans people are hurting their bodies with medical transition, and that's why kids (under 18) shouldn't be able to transition.