I think we're pretty close to agreeing. When you differentiate between "need...for mental health reasons" and "need to survive", it seems like you're ignoring the issue of suicide and it's connection to mental health.
If your takeaway from OP was about doing things for fun, then mine was how important fun actually is. Two sides of the same coin, I think, both very valid.
I hope that makes sense. I'm not really here for the competitive talking, I guess.
I guess you're assuming that singing and dancing are done for no reason. They're innate, but they also serve social and psychological purposes. Humans need these things to live.
No. My doctor recommended a urologist. A two week wait for consultation and scheduled the surgery for a month later.
How was the recovery?
Very easy and quick. Mild "phantom testicle" pain (actually the cords recovering).
Did/do you have extra skin now or did/do you plan on having it removed? Or did they remove it with the testicles?
They left my scrotum intact, but its default state is much smaller without anything weighing it down.
If in the US, what did the prices for any procedures come to, roughly?
It was covered by insurance. I believe the total bill to insurance was about $30k, and I only paid up to my out-of-pocket maximum. Without insurance, I've heard they charge less, but I don't know what that'd be exactly.
Do you have to take any medication since having it done?
Your questions are all questions I had. It's a lot of "what if?" The breakthrough for me was that when I started, I had already been living as a man for many years and felt like I had missed out on all that time I could've been who I wanted to be. Hypothetically, if I went on hormones, felt like they didn't help, and never wanted to pursue further transition after several years, then how much masculine life have I really missed? That hypothetical hasn't happened, and I'm so glad I didn't wait longer.
Hormones are not the "turn into a girl instantly" button, the effects take time. If you started today, you'd probably still have way more time to mull over your decision than you'd like. You will be fine.
As for a doctor's concern, that's complicated, I guess. It's well established that hormones are generally very safe, and unless you're going way off a standard dose there's no real cause for concern. Meanwhile, doctors have been unduly tasked by government with arbitrarily gatekeeping access to hormones, and this is part of why many people do DIY.
I also want to note that I went through the same thought process about "if I can't be a girl, then maybe I'll just 'settle' for being enby", and I think it was the wrong attitude to have. There are plenty of binary women that don't pass and maybe never will. Passing to yourself or anyone has no bearing on your gender. Maybe you are nonbinary and engaging with your gender and the transition process will affirm that, but don't gatekeep yourself.
Reminds me of an actual anime I can't remember the title of where a kid attends a farming school, and every episode is basically him having an ethical dilemma over the mistreatment and murder of animals and his conclusion every time is that the animals are too delicious NOT to kill, oh well, and he eats a big bowl of pork.
I've found that a lot of people benefit from a phased approach, and in general saying "I'm trans and these are my name and pronouns" is a good beginning.
Some people are curious and will ask questions. I always take a second to think about the question: is it being asked in good faith and do I feel like answering it? I especially took that approach with my parents, who are not accepting.
Some people are curious but won't ask questions for fear of prying. I've tried to be more forthcoming with friends like that so they don't have to ask, but it also sometimes feels like I'm over-sharing.
Some people are not curious for whatever reason. I came out to those people simply, and that was it.
In any case, how people react initially isn't a great indicator of their long-term response. My experience has been that coming out is easy initially, but staying out is sometimes hard.
Sorry if you feel like I'm arguing in bad faith, and of course you don't need to talk to me.
My point is that being trans is inherently GNC, and excluding nonbinary people as statistically insignificant is really an argument against all trans people, whether they pass or not. I know you're talking about what cis people think and not what YOU think, but my hope is that cis-passing trans folks that are accepted by "society" on condition of their passing will reject such conditional acceptance. In other words, non-passing GNC folks, such as enbies, need the support of passing trans allies against exclusionary, divisive gender-conforming norms.
I'd like to pass, and maybe one day I will, and I hope I can continue to support less "acceptable" identities.
Your argument seems to be based on the assumption that cishets trying to preserve the gender binary are valid. I understand wanting to appeal to 99% of people, but binary trans people won't gain freedom to transition by throwing non-binary people under the bus.
I do agree that cis people should support trans people, but I disagree that it should be predicated on their bullshit beliefs. I don't require them to eat shit, but I will allow it as long as they support the queer community unequivocally 🙂
You misunderstood me, I think. My reply was about their phrasing. "Should've taught" makes it sound like the onus is on me to idk watch Good Burger (which I have seen, and I understand the reference, by the way) and feel some great relief.
I think we're pretty close to agreeing. When you differentiate between "need...for mental health reasons" and "need to survive", it seems like you're ignoring the issue of suicide and it's connection to mental health.
If your takeaway from OP was about doing things for fun, then mine was how important fun actually is. Two sides of the same coin, I think, both very valid.
I hope that makes sense. I'm not really here for the competitive talking, I guess.