I can't post links yet, so Ima copy/paste the article with a chopped up link to the article at the end. Please bear with that.

This is fascinating stuff.

"These 25 Examples of Male Privilege from a Trans Guy’s Perspective Really Prove the Point

Quite a bit changed for me over the first couple of years I started testosterone.

My health and mental wellbeing improved, my happy button grew over an inch in length, my natural musk became so fragrant that now I gross even myself out if I don’t shower pretty much every day (no deodorant can contain this beast).

So many awesome, big-deal body changes and mind improvements flourished.

Then there were the smaller, odder things: I finally gained an appreciation for peanut butter and chocolate, my favorite color went from blue to green, my most hated school subject suddenly became a favored pastime.

All sorts of things, from the big to the small, altered themselves.

I was indeed exactly the same person as I’d always been, just the 2.0 version.

In the long run, I don’t always know which things were an actual, physical reaction to the T, which were a result of getting out of a toxic environment, and which were simply my tastes naturally changing as I put on a few years.

But just as fascinating as it was to witness my mental and physical changes, it was just as equal of an adjustment to comprehend how other people were responding to me.

In short, I was being treated better by everyday America because people were reading me as a young, white, straight (?!) male. And I recognized many new privileges that came my way because of it.

For the record, this isn’t an article meant for transphobic people to share around and say, “See?! See?! Trans guys are totally reaping all the benefits of patriarchy, and WE MUST HATE THEM!”

If you think this is true, you’re not paying attention. And clearly haven’t educated yourself appropriately on trans issues. Or patriarchal issues. Or feminist issues. Or really any issue that has to do with inequality based upon this toxic culture of ours.

Rather, this article is simply meant to focus on male privilege at large, primarily owned by cis men who think they’re bestowing it only upon other cis men.

Yes, plenty of (passing) trans guys do feel the effects of male privilege. Especially us white ones. I wouldn’t argue against that for a second.

But we can’t be wasting time griping over trans guys because they happen to gain male privilege for transition reasons that have nothing to do with it. What we need to be focusing on is—you know—male privilege, which is the actual problem. The patriarchy is being unfair, so it’s the patriarchy we need to attack.

The fact of the matter is that male privilege makes me feel awkward.

I recognize the unfairness that’s happening, so my job is to help further call it out.

I’m read as a man now, after all. And the irony there is that other men are more apt to listen to me about these issues.

So here’s a (very) short list of the everyday ways people have changed their behavior toward me – for no logical reason whatsoever.

1. I’m Suddenly Funny

I’ve always been dry, sarcastic, and satirical with my humor.

In Ye Olden Times, I was considered unfunny at best – and a bitch at worst.

Now that I’m a short white guy, people automatically peg me for a comedian and laugh at the bulk of my mouth zings.

But nothing has changed. I’ve even recycled some of my old material that people didn’t find funny before just to make sure.

2. Yet I’m Still Taken (More) Seriously

I’m still amazed at the amount of people that now immediately shut their mouths the second I open mine.

Believe me, my ideas haven’t improved at all.

I’ve even tried to derail serious conversations with ludicrous stuff just to see what would happen – and I’d still be regarded highly.

3. I Rarely Get Interrupted

I used to be interrupted so often while presenting as a woman that I in turn started to talk over people as a form of conversational survival.

Unfortunately, because it became so ingrained in me, I still find myself doing it from time to time even though it’s rarely necessary anymore.

4. I Get Paid More

The proof is in my paychecks. Actual, numerical proof.

5. It’s Easier for Me to Be Poor

Aside from usually getting paid more, it’s been easier to find work when the person doing the hiring is a white guy.

It’s like helping out a buddy or something.

6. My Clothing Is More Practical

And better made and longer lasting and cheaper and less judged…

7. I Get a Ton of Free Passes

For the record, I’ve never done anything horrific enough to invoke the all-saving phrase of “Boys will be boys,” but I often forget to watch my mouth in front of superiors and authority figures.

And while I was getting into tons of trouble for the smallest thing through school and my earliest jobs, these days I can’t recall a single time I’ve been called out or reprimanded.

8. I’m Not Held Accountable for Keeping Rape from Happening

I remember all of the rape prevention education I got, which always focused on how I should behave, where I should walk when, how to appropriately cover my drink, and so on.

These days, I’m told nothing. Not even not to rape.

(continued in next comment)

Very interesting reading Nifty.

Of course, i am unsurprised ... but i think a few on here (should they deign to view it objectively) will be.

I don;t hold out a great amount of hope for the 'objectively' thing though ... just between you and me.

Quote:


LOL - she admits she's just trolling you.

... wrote on Jun 13^th, 2015 at 11:55am:


What? Who admitted what? The man writing this said that he has said ridiculous things and people still think he's right ---- what has that got to do with anything?

The Niftiest Bear wrote on Jun 13^th, 2015 at 3:21pm:


lol


She made a list of 25 of the Most Ridiculous Things Imaginable - and you still think she's right.

Agnes wrote on Jun 13^th, 2015 at 1:15pm:


Quick Robin, to the Bat-safe-space.
Holy views the disagree with my own, Batman
Yes Robin, we almost had to consider a different point of view, thank god for our speed and my bat-selective-hearing device.

This Topic was moved here from Women's Issues by freediver.