I identify as a trans person. My gender is
messy, because it does not fit neatly into any
one box or any one story. My body is messy,
because it and my perceptions of it do not fit
neatly or consistently into male or female,
transsexual, transgendered or queer. I choose to
adapt my body in the ways that make me feel
whole and strong. I choose how I am seen and how
I live in a society that recognises only two
genders and two sexes. I live some of my life as
a man, but most of it as a trans man or trans
person."
—Jim—Queensland, 2003
I’ve always had a deep sense of being male;
or rather I’m further down the male end of
the gender line than female if that makes
sense...I don’t want to become
“invisible" because for me I feel that
rejects in some ways the life I’ve lived
until transitioning and that’s something
I’m not totally prepared to do."
—Mick—Sydney, 2002
"Female to male trans-genderists fit into a
slightly different category of male. We're not
your typical male. We have female-ness about us
in the way we've been brought up and the way
we've more sensitive to women." '
—Jacob Rogers—Sydney,
1994
People always ask how I relate to him, if he's
male or female. I don't see him as a man. But
he's not a woman."
—Jacob's Girlfriend—Sydney,
1994
I’m not ashamed of being confusing.
I’m not embarrassed by my body or the way I
speak or what it is that I say. My masculinity
is transgendered, built on my experiences as a
female person, and a male person. It is based on
observation and a little bit of envy. It is
based on a dislike of what makes me feel stiff
and uncomfortable, it is a celebration of what
makes me feel whole. I’ve ignored it and
doubted it, but my masculinity is solid. It is
my way of being a good person."
—Jim—Queensland,
2004
Now people say to me: "but you were gay, what
are you now?" I simply say to them: "don't label
me. Label's belong on jars not people. Deal with
your own issues not mine. I'm happy, we're
happy, that's all that matters."
—Lisa talking about her
partner Jamie—Sydney,
2002
Once compelled to definitively answer questions
about my sexuality and identity, I am deferring
these - leaving the wrestling to those who have
a far greater need to pin down others than I now
do. But it is important for me to say that my
love is not gender blind. I don't love a
transman in spite of his gender or because I
separate him from his gender. If I were to take
refuge in the essence of him, then there I would
come face to face with his gender: there is no
separation to be had."
—Jodie referring to her
partner—Melbourne, 2002
Some people were quite shocked at first because
it seemed to be so out of left field. But it
didn’t take them long to see that it made
sense for me. Each step I took totally confirmed
the rightness of the decision for me. But yes it
is weird. Sometimes I sit back and think,
‘Let’s face it, it’s a weird
thing to do.’"
—Len Davidson, 2000
If you think I'm simply a heterosexual man or a
butch lesbian, you don't know anything of my
journey. These are just two of the many parts
that together form my complex identity. The one
thing that is always clear to me, and has been
throughout the emotional and psychological chaos
accompanying my questioning of my gender
identity, is that I will always be queer as a
three-dollar bill."
—Tov, 2003
While my family were dealing with me being
transgendered, I wanted them to know that: It's
not your fault. I'm not doing this to hurt you.
I'm not ruining my life. I'm not becoming a
different person. This isn't a whim or a
decision taken lightly."
—Jim—Queensland,
2003
Add
your experience as an transman (FTM) to this
page
