Male ID butch vs. FTM??

[BullDog]

Thanks SelfMadeMan for your invitation to participate.

Sometimes I honestly think what we have in common is the discrimination that we face, and it feels kind of uncomfortable for me to rally around persecution as something to bond over. However in a political sense it is quite smart and necessary.

Also, I am not sure if the statements about Brotherhood were intended for all butches and transmen or just male identified butches and transmen. If it was the latter, it makes sense. If it was the former, I don't relate. I don't really relate all that well to someone I don't know calling me Sister either, but if we are talking inclusion I don't want to always have to translate everything in my head. I never hear anyone talking about Butches and Transmen uniting together in Sisterhood.

Transmen are part of the butch femme community because it resonates with them. I get that and appreciate that. I understand that transmen feel the complexities of their lives are not understood and they are branded as the "enemy." We can bond over the fact that we are in a community together and there are some commonalities we share, for sure. I too have been sirred and maa'med all in the same day on many occasions.

To me a simple request from a femme to be aware of male privilege when in the presence of women and the harm that can potentially cause women due to the inequalities between men and women that exist in society should be listened to and not met with such hostility and defensiveness. She was talking about interpersonal interactions.

Also, in my opinion, the root of homophobia and transphobia is sexism. It is in everyone's best interest to understand the roots and intersections. I don't believe in any shape or form that Homophobia or Transphobia can be wiped out with sexism fully in place. Transphobia is specific but it also comes from sexism. Take for example the case of Nikki Araguz for those who are familiar with her story. She is denied being taking seriously as a woman but at the very same time being treated in a very sexist manner as the "gold digging" woman. When transmen are denied their male status they are viewed as "not real men." These cases are transphobia but they are also very rooted in sexism. Right now the Republican Party in the United States is waging a war on women. This won't make it easier for queers or trans people either when trying to limit women or put them into place.

So I think transmen should talk about the complexities of their lives and we should listen. I also think transmen should listen to what women are saying about living as a woman in a sexist world. Hopefully we can learn from each other, have fun hanging out together and help each other out where we can.