Red Lion's posts

I think a good place to start would be to define the term "Dysphoria" because there's a lot of confusion around that term and what does or doesn't qualify it and I think every transperson, whether they are considered a "trender' or not, has some degree of dysphoria, be it body related or simply a matter of preferred pronouns. If you have a discomfort about your assigned gender identity then that is dysphoria. You may not dislike your body, or your name or even your overall presentation but if you want recognition that your gender does not line up with what you were assigned at birth then I would count that as a type of dysphoria. If you're comfortable with your assigned gender identity then you wouldn't seek transition, you wouldn't feel a drive to be something else.

Also I feel that gender is not something that should be equated with someone's aesthetic, social role, or personality. It is not a "who" it is a "what". I am speaking as a transperson myself, gender is how I define myself in terms of being male, female, both or neither, nothing more or less. I feel like that's what a lot of young people don't understand about gender and why they are perceived as trenders. They believe that if they don't follow gender roles or social norms then they must be trans. Honestly I think there is benefit to drawing a line (not gatekeeping, mind you) but having clear and defined terms for what it means to be trans vs gender nonconforming.

A tomboy is not a transman, a butch lesbian is not a transman. The difference, I do believe, is dysphoria. While a tomboy may present masculine or even take a role that would socially be viewed as male there is no inherent discomfort with being female, no real NEED to make a physical or social transition. Playing batman, refusing to wear skirts and even roleplaying male characters were not the things that defined my gender. What made me lean towards a masculine/male identity was my perception of self, the part that makes me trans is the part where that sense of self doesn't align with what I was assigned at birth.

I think a lot gets lost in translation between how we define ourselves, how others define us and how we define others but the core of being transgender is a desire for transition that goes beyond just discomfort with gender roles and social norms.

Bertrand gave a slow nod as he absorbed the information, "Is this something a human could learn?" he asked.

"All trolls?" Bertrand asked as he pulled a small notebook from his pocket.

"Aura?" Bertrand asked sidling a little closer, "What do you mean by aura?"

Bertrand nodded quietly, "I take it your family likes flowers?" he asked giving Valko a sympathetic pat.

Bertrand sighed, deciding to divert the topic he asked "Are all trolls colorblind or just you?"

Bertrand watched a flip flop as it floated down a thin stream of mud running down into a nearby ditch, "He's got a lot of work to do," he commented.

"Ah, good to know," Bertrand's heart sank. Of course his host would be colorblind, perfect, great, fantastic! He sighed and glanced around for signs of his bag, "The flowers are roses" he offered, hoping that might help Valko distinguish his bag from the rest of the garbage. "Is Kyle the name of your groundskeeper?" he asked.

Bertrand frowned, "That bag is the wrong color. It's green!" he said, though he picked it up and looked inside anyway. The contents weren't impressive, some makeup, an ugly blouse with a matching ugly skirt and a wad of American dollars. Bertrand pocketed the money and an left the bag with a frown. He had a feeling this would be along search.

Bertrand stuck close, occasionally bumping into Valko as he checked around for signs of his bag, "Can you see?" he asked as he squinted into the darkness, "My bag is red with purple flowers on it."

Bertrand clicked the flashlight on and aimed the beam at the woods, "I can definitely agree with you there," he said, he gave the beam a bounce, "It was that way." he said swiping the light down a gushing runoff of mud and water into the undergrowth.

Bertrand gave an embarrassed giggle, "It smelled nice," he offered toeing the ground with a freshly shined shoe.

Bertrand spent a little longer in his bath than he should have, testing out the luxurious soaps and sponges, sinking into the foam and even splashing a little. He was more accustomed to taking fast showers in water that was cold and sometimes not even clean. This was a luxury he wanted to enjoy for as long as possible. Eventually the water grew cold and he was forced to dress and head for the door, though he smelled rather nice, if he was honest with himself and his skin had never felt so soft.

Bertrand looked down at his hands, which he'd only given a cursory rinse in the restroom before coming down, "I suppose I could use a bath," he said. Valko's smile was warm and it cheered him, perhaps his host was more kind hearted than he'd thought.