On Dualistic Affection

[goldkin]

Yesterday, my significant other made one of the most difficult decisions in his life by coming out to 155 of his friends and family. This is the first time he's told them that he's transgender, and it marks his first week of chemical therapy.

I'm quite proud of him. It's taken him several years to come to this decision, and now that he has, I will do everything I can to support him through his transition. It also means, pragmatically speaking, that I've gone from a heterosexual relationship to a homosexual one without switching partners, and I surprisingly have no problem with this. If my family questions me on my decision to stay at his side, I will simply tell them that I choose to support love in all of its forms and that I support my mate in his decision.

I think it's pretty amazing that we live in a world where, upon discovering whom we are on the inside, we can choose to become that person. It jives very well with my sense of the body as an avatar of self-expression and a manifestation of inner being, and I will continue to support efforts to make it easier, less dangerous, and more socially acceptable to make this type of decision.

(Of course, I'm very much a transhumanist by trade... but I suppose that goes with the territory.)

Comments

[avia]

I think it's pretty amazing that we live in a world where, upon discovering whom we are on the inside, we can choose to become that person. It jives very well with my sense of the body as an avatar of self-expression and a manifestation of inner being, and I will continue to support efforts to make it easier, less dangerous, and more socially acceptable to make this type of decision.

♥

I think it's amazing, too. And I'm so happy to see people who support it, instead of thinking it is something that needs to be destroyed.

[jewelfox]

I think it's pretty amazing that we live in a world where, upon discovering whom we are on the inside, we can choose to become that person.

Not all of us can yet.

I'm also a little uncomfortable with how "transhumanist" sounds kind of species-centric. It's not how I think of my process of becoming at all.

[citrakayah]

For that matter, transhumanism often seems to be more interested with simply improving human abilities (reducing/stopping aging, making people faster or more intelligent, etc.) than actually transcending the human form. Which has people freaking out about eugenics and calling it the world's most dangerous idea.

I prefer the more genetic engineering oriented aspects of transhumanism.

[altivo]

This is very cool. I knew you'd be supportive, but until now never really realized you were in a relationship. Your partner will likely need your support, but I have a feeling it will help make both of you stronger in the end. Good going.

[arethinn]

I feel like a heel. I think if I were in your situation I would not be able to continue a relationship with such a person, because I have no romantic or sexual interest in women whatsoever. I feel like this is wrong and cruel and "but aren't they the same person?" and yet, how would I force myself into having attractions that don't exist...?