One of the social media art sites I frequent has identified something that both exasperates and irritates the hell out of me, and it's teens and youths who are/have been 'coming out' as 'transgender',
even though most of them really don't have a clue about the whole picture of genuinely transgendered people, who have a number of identified symptoms/cognitive dissonance that truly define someone
who seems to believe they were 'born into the wrong body'.
These teens/youth have seen so much bandied about in the media and on this self same website about transgender folk, and have simply 'self diagnosed' themselves incredibly erroneously
in order to show some kind of solidarity. They openly admit to not having some of those key defining mindsets,
making it obvious they are only doing this for attention or peer approval.
There is even a name for these kids, and it's so accurate it hurts.
"Transtrenders".
I had to roll my eyes a few weeks ago when some art appeared on my feed from this website, and I actually thought "Now I've seen everything."
Art people, kids mainly, create original characters, or OCs to reflect their views of the world. This one was the reason my eyes rolled so far back into my head, I could almost see myself think.
I have zero doubt there are totally genuine transgender folks struggling with their bodies and lives, for whatever reason and cause, so this jumping on the bandwagon leaves me thinking
'Well, this could be good, as it shows acceptance', but it also infuriates me, as it cheapens the horror of true gender dysphoria.
There are people out there who believe that they aren't truly human, and who dress up as the 'spirit' animal they wish they could be, in fur suits. They also have conventions and it's here that another trend was born,
as these kids and adults adopt the mannerisms, habits and appearance of the creatures they imagine themselves to be. They call this their 'fursona' (persona) and some of them are seriously SERIOUSLY
into their belief that imitating an animal and 'being' one as much as they can, will give them peace.
Personally, I think they like the idea of a genuine, warm, basic instincts sort of lifestyle, where human rules and ettiquette don't apply, and where they can just do their own thing without guilt.
I don't find them in any way threatening, or sick in the head, but on occasions, I have read
some alarming things about these Furry parents, raising their kids who think their mum and dad are insane.
This particular thing isn't new, but there are some people out there who are well... OUT THERE.
My belief is that if it isn't hurting anyone, leave them be what they want, but I really wish the transgender situation wasn't made into an attention seeking thing
for young adults who don't yet understand any better.
Shazz