What stereotype are you?

Being trans-gendered causes you to question how arrogant and stereotyped we all are when it comes to the sexes. Almost every blog I've seen from other girls out there has an opinion on this and I'm no different. I agree with 99% of everyone else's blogs out there but wanted to throw a few small thoughts of my own into the mix.

I've been shaving my legs, armpits etc for as long as I can remember. I had stopped last year however as I tried to force myself in to believing, yet again, that I am a genetic male who only enjoys cross-dressing. Since that time, and since accepting my true identity, I've resumed my personal care regime. This has brought up some interesting conclusions I didn't have in the past. In the past, shaving my legs etc was all about fitting the picture, and hairy legs under a skirt do not look very flattering! So, I'd shave my legs and dress for a few weeks/months (in private of course) but then, because of the view I had of myself, I'd stop dressing, pack it all away and go on to feel guilty for shaving my legs. Why should I feel that way?

I shave my legs etc now for a different reason, and accept it more for myself as a reflection of my desire to bring what is on the inside, out. But, why did I feel guilty in the past and why now, do I still attempt to cover up that fact when I'm out and about as a male? I mean, men all over the world shave or wax themselves. Body builders do it, so too, do many cyclists and swimmers. We don't ridicule them because on the face of things, it is part of being that person and so we accept it. To me, until now, I just felt like a guy who shaves his legs! My family used to use the state of my legs to indicate which 'phase' I was currently going through :o)

Perhaps it's my hang-up. But the evidence of society's stereotypical expectations is still as prevalent as ever. I think if I was to walk into a blokey bar with shorts on I would face some sort of ridicule - if even only silent. Why so? Without the trans-gender issue, I still prefer to have smooth legs. It feels better and somehow makes me feel cleaner too. And that ladies and gentlemen is the main reason I do it. Sure, it brings that little bit more of the girl inside out but it's also a personal preference.

Going forward from today, I'm going to start working on letting go of my hang-up. I've realised too that if I expect people to react in a certain way then I am stereotyping others and that goes against what I hope to achieve over time. And through reading a friend's blog I've also come to realise that if it is a hang-up or a problem for someone else then it's theirs, not mine.

So what is normal? Normal is in the eye of the beholder only, but it is based on our upbringing and social conditioning. This is a fundamental difference for any gay, lesbian, TG or CD (or any minority) out there because we seek to be accepted by society as normal. After all, we feel normal but society often puts up barriers to prevent us from being our normal selves. And that can be the cause of so much heartache for so many.

Flic xx