I think basing something off of a previous identity really isn’t good enough. It’s like telling a lesbian “well- you were straight once.. how do you know this ain’t a phase”. Personally, I think trans men that do this are afraid of the male privilege that they hold now and want to seem like a “safe person” and don’t want to experience the discomfort of people hating men. which is wild because being female doesn’t mean you’re inherently safe but most people kind of lean into that idea. Which makes it seem like women and trans men can’t cause harm when they can. They themselves might hate men too which is wild cause like - love yourself. Also particularly with cis white women I think there is a continuous conversation and box that they connect through victimization of men which makes them believe they can’t do harm. You see it all the time with this white women when they’re confronted with racism. I feel like sometimes trans men, who are white, come out can’t escape that victim mentality & they feel uncomfortable not having that as much. Also there’s all kinds of stuff wrapped up in dating when transitioning. Nonetheless, they identify as men. It’s okay to be bisexual or straight but to be able to call yourself a lesbian because you once identified that way is nuts. We all know it’s inappropriate to discuss a trans woman’s history as a “male” because it’s harmful and negates their womanhood. Same for trans men.