LeighJan 20, 2019
Em
love when folks try to be inclusive by saying "people who identify as women" instead of just "women"
Jan 18, 2019 at 10:20amWeb
Show threadEmJan 18, 2019
to be clear: i in fact do not love that. people who "identify as women" are women and people who "identify as men" are men. the idea that these terms are somehow different is transphobic
Show threadAndré E. VeltstraJan 18, 2019
@em If my memory serves right, I've seen at least 1 trans woman describe herself that way.

Using "presenting as" implies doubt. That doubt may be warranted. It may be malicious.

I may have expressed it myself a few times. I will be more careful.
Show threadEmJan 18, 2019
@aeveltstra well saying someone identifies as a gender isn’t inherently wrong. women identify as women and men identify as men. the problem is in choosing to say “identifies as” instead of “is” in an attempt to include trans folks, because it implies that trans folks aren’t *actually* their gender but just identify that way
Show threadAndré E. VeltstraJan 18, 2019
@em Indeed. I would increase that point by positing that "identifies as" or "presents as" implies that a conscious choice got made. In case of trans people (broadly including fluid, enby, drag, et al), that is true. In case of cis people, it tends to be false. Thus the wording automatically focuses on trans people.

Threat matrix appears to range from unknown-unaware to known-aware. The latter we must fight and stamp out. The former we must address and correct.
Show thread🌞 SACRED  TRASH 🌟Jan 18, 2019
@aeveltstra @em it's not all that uncommon for trans people to explain it that way to cis people who may not understand what being transgender means (see also "born in the wrong body", which arose because trans people have to justify their need for medical transition support). it's not great that we have to do that sometimes but it's a symptom of existing in a cisnormative society more than anything.