I'd like to suggest writing article about us

[RemMellow (imported)]

Hi everyone.

As you've suggested from title, I want to increase media awareness about us, representing us as people with MtE gender dysphoria. I know lots of us don't think of themselves as having gender dysphoria, but for me this is just a label, since saying "I have MtE dysphoria" is perceived differently than "I really hate having testicles and want to get rid of them". I want to write an article about our problems - as many of us have to do CaCl or ethanol injections, or even more dangerous methods like using elastrator or seeking cutters. In my article I also want to underline that MtE is partially recognized by WPATH, and SOC8 will have section about it. So I'm planning to contact international LGBT organizations such as ILGA and GATE, and propose my idea to them.

But I'm probably not the first one who came with such idea. What were previous experiments of this kind? Had anyone succeeded?

What do you think of this idea in general?

[kristoff]

Hi everyone.

As you've suggested from title, I want to increase media awareness about us, representing us as people with MtE gender dysphoria. I know lots of us don't think of themselves as having gender dysphoria, but for me this is just a label, since saying "I have MtE dysphoria" is perceived differently than "I really hate having testicles and want to get rid of them". I want to write an article about our problems - as many of us have to do CaCl or ethanol injections, or even more dangerous methods like using elastrator or seeking cutters. In my article I also want to underline that MtE is partially recognized by WPATH, and SOC8 will have section about it. So I'm planning to contact international LGBT organizations such as ILGA and GATE, and propose my idea to them.

But I'm probably not the first one who came with such idea. What were previous experiments of this kind? Had anyone succeeded?

What do you think of this idea in general?

We have had several contacts over the years with various "journalists." With only one exception I am aware of, every one of them has written butcheries of us, nothing favorable, let alone neutral, nothing fair. I don't know if you're a journalist or not, but such attempts as these are generally met with disbelief and distrust. Whenever I see one of these attempts, I generally do my best to block it. There are always a few idiots who buy in and trust someone's word, only to be badly burned. NO! Take your idea down the road.

[Losethem (imported)]

In my article I also want to underline that MtE is partially recognized by WPATH, and SOC8 will have section about it. So I'm planning to contact international LGBT organizations such as ILGA and GATE, and propose my idea to them.

Politely, it’s not been recognized yet. It’s merely being considered for inclusion by those who write these standards.

ILGA and GATE will likely say, “Thanks but no thanks” to this.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

We have had several contacts over the years with various "journalists." With only one exception I am aware of, every one of them has written butcheries of us, nothing favorable, let alone neutral, nothing fair. I don't know if you're a journalist or not, but such attempts as these are generally met with disbelief and distrust.

This sadly is what I see most of the time. You see both left and right mangling the other viewpoints. It is really hard to find something approaching reasoned reporting.

[RemMellow (imported)]

Thanks for your advices.

I'm not a journalist, just a passionate person.

I'll still try to contact some media that consider themselves LGBT- and justice-friendly. Even if there's only 1% chance they'll support my idea, it will be very good for our community. I'll be extra careful not to let them perverse my message.

And anyway I'm ready to be misunderstood and ignored by all of them. It's not like I'm losing something just by suggesting my article to media, and of course I'm not going to reveal my identity to them.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I write for fun because I learn a lot from talking to other people. My suggestion would be to look at what they have written before and judge them on that. Writers like people really don't change from day to day. If you see their previous writing seems thorough and even handed, then you have a shot at being treated fairly. If they throw raw meat to whatever crowd, I would not answer their calls. I'd also cut them a little slack if the headlines of their work are screamers. Headline writers are a different crowd who sometimes I don't think even read the articles.

[Losethem (imported)]

Thanks for your advices.

I'm not a journalist, just a passionate person.

I'll still try to contact some media that consider themselves LGBT- and justice-friendly. Even if there's only 1% chance they'll support my idea, it will be very good for our community. I'll be extra careful not to let them perverse my message.

The reason we advocate not talking to the media is because it's not your choice when they, paraphrased, "Perverse your message." They will just do it, and then it's too late. Seriously, my advice? Don't go down this road unless you're willing to be incredibly disappointed when you reach the end of it.

[jamiepan (imported)]

I would add to the others this: Please, don't use this website as a basis for your article, or even, preferably, don't mention it at all.

No matter how good of a resource the EA truly is, any editor who joins just to look for shit to disturb will, I guaran-damn-tee you, find it.

They will read out of context; they will look for dissent among us; they will hunt down the worst of the stories in the archive; they will shriek about rampant illegalities.

I'm utterly unashamed of the Archive, but I know how these things work. They will see only the shameful things and they will twist them into 'what we are' and 'how we act'.

Please believe me.

[Poor_pup_no_balls (imported)]

In my experience as a decades old internet user, wanting to transition from mtf or ftm is often met (by rational people) with compassion and a want if people being comfortable in their own skin, but anyone seeking testicle or penis removal is met with horror.

[RemMellow (imported)]

Thanks everyone for further replies. Ultimately I decided not to contact more media. If some of the earlier contacted media will reply and show interest, I'll act upon situation.

But what do you guys think we should do to change our situation? As poor_pup_no_balls said, there's lots of hypocrisy out there in the world. We often are seen as freaks.

I have great respect for Jesus, who facilitated changes in WPATH. That was truly the best thing to be done.

But what else? I think we should tell about ourselves and our problems. Sadly, ordinary media will most likely perverse our messages, and I don't know about extraordinary media.