When trying to explain to someone what it is to be transgender, it can be quite exhausting and daunting. But I feel it's necessary to help educate others, as well as ourselves, so that we all might come to an understanding. I want to point out that any of the information provided is a mixture of personal experience, research, more personal experience, more research, looots of reading, and more personal experiences. With this in mind, the information provided should be taken with a grain of salt (I am still learning along this journey!) and anything I say should not be taken as a representation of the transgender community as a whole. Also, I recommend to do your own research!!
As transgender and gender nonconforming people (or trans people, for short), we have many different ways of understanding our gender identity--our inner sense of being male, female, both, or neither. Some of us were born knowing that something was different about us. Others of us slowly, over time, began to feel that we were not our full selves in the gender roles we had been given. Our many different ways of identifying and describing ourselves differ based on our backgrounds, where we live, who we spend time with, and even media influences.
We find ourselves frequently creating and changing the terminology that best fits or describes who we are. These changes can, at times, create complications inside and outside our communities. Factors such as culture, location, and class sometimes mean we do not all agree. But our communities work to honor and respect everyone's self-identification.
Because I am a nerd, I was curious as to the historical aspect. Dating back to the Roman times, there have been records of transgender people. In ancient India, Hijra are a caste of third-gender, or transgender group who live a feminine role. Hijra may be born male or intersex, and some may have been born female.
It might seem like a new thing, especially with recent media spotlights. But trans folks have been around for a long time. For my journey, I feel more at ease knowing that this isn't just a trendy thing people are associating themselves with (yes, there are folks in this camp, bless them). Reflecting on my childhood, teenage years, and now my adult life, I can say that for me this isn't new. It's not a choice. It's who I am.
Now that my brain juice has left the building, it's time for some yoga. Till next time!
Namaste~
:wq