Now let me say right from the start, that trying to change your gender is MESSED UP. And I truly mean MENTAL INSTABILITY.
I am not talking about all this “cross dressing”, “presenting as”, “role play stuff”.
I have absolutely no issue with a guy dressing up as a woman or doing what they can to look more feminine, or a woman trying to be more masculine.
As long as you are an adult, you can do whatever you want to your body.
BUT.
That does not mean that you are truly changing your gender. If you were born a man, you will always BE a man.
(and do not get started with the “intersex” people. Those poor souls have a very unfortunate condition, and I would not wish that on anyone) We do not change the rule that there are only 2 sexes, because a fraction of a percent of anomalies exist.
(just because someone was born with an extra finger does not make it a new gender nor does having an extra chromosome)
Now, to the part where we talk about how to discuss or refer to such individuals.
If you are a guy trying to look like a woman. You will either, have to fool me into believing you are a woman, OR convince me to refer to you as a woman. (Threats are not a proper or acceptable way to convince someone)
And PLEASE, get the fuck over yourself. No one “HAS to” treat you any special way, and you have no right to be treated the way you want to be treated.
Respect is Earned. Making demand of respect without earning it, is just going to lead to unpleasantness. DEAL WITH IT.
Transphobia is NOT a thing! (my opinion that you are ‘fucked in the head’ is not discrimination)
Just as you can call yourself an electrician all you want. But, until you can demonstrate that you can competently work in the electrical field, you are NOT an electrician. And, I do not have to call you one.
If a person wants to do this to themselves, they have every right to do it. As long as they are an adult, and they are not “suffering” from some sort of mental disorder. (If you are suffering a mental disorder, you need help, and my playing along is actually harmful.)
When it comes to the issue of ANYONE under the age of 18. They are NOT trans-gender! It should hold the full weight of law to punish anyone encouraging any type of transitioning. Puberty blockers, hormones, surgery, even wearing the opposite genders clothing. Children do not have the capacity to understand what is happening, and you must let the child sort it out on their own. Encouraging a child into the opposite gender is CHILD ABUSE. If after they turn 18 and they want to pursue it still… they are now adults and can make that decision.
Which all leads to… (what should be now obvious) There are ONLY TWO genders. Sex and gender are not separate terms with different meanings. Those two terms are direct synonyms.
(As an addendum: “Sex” usually has a biologic connotation, and Gender is usually a mechanical term. Male or female USB connector as an example)
People pushing the notion that these are different terms, are being manipulative, disingenuous grifters.