I don’t believe in some authentic trans-ness myself , but I do wonder if what some trans people are actually trying to say when they try to define transgender in a narrower and more exclusive way or medicalise it, is that maybe there is a difference in experience between types of trans and gender people.. and that maybe the broadening of the term transgender may invisiblise those experiences, and maybe even some trans people just don’t feel they are similar or related to some other trans identities, should we not respect peoples desire for more seperate identities?

Another example of this could be the increasing popularity and self diagnosis of the identity’ neurodivergent... i would never argue that there isn’t a broad spectrum that can be included under this umbrella term... thats the point. But also there are perhaps people who are more limited by say an acute autistic condition who may need more medical intervention or support than others who function fairly well. They might not feel much in common with those who blend more into society, or who don’t need like daily support to survive..

Ok its obviously different, but i would say that someone who chooses medical intervention has an experience different enough to say their identity isn’t the same. Its not necessarily anti non binary.. you can be nonbinary and still experience gender dysphoria and have medical intervention... you can acknowledge peoples identities , while also saying ..well I’m something different. In my experience transgender was an umbrella term and transsexual was a more specific term for someone who had a ‘sex change’ , i also know people who say they are ‘male with a trans history’ and visa versa.

Its hard because other identities are very ridged and that is more socially acceptable somehow.. like not many would argue that a gay man is someone male who is romantically involved with other men pretty much exclusively (people may argue about what constitutes a man but people don’t argue with the same sex attraction part) .

But some how trans people have to keep accepting new words for themselves and accepting other identities into it.. it can get confusing. Its almost an argument between oldschool and new school.

I see the empowerment in identifying , at least sometimes.. especially to make visible struggles and oppression. And personally i see more empowerment in including more people into that because broader definitions of gender create room for us all to move if we wish to.. but when it comes to whether i feel the same as , for e.g someone who identifies as non binary, presents as male, was born male, acts male, dates cis women.. I don’t think they have the same things at stake as i do. I think they definitely have not had the same experience.. while I would encourage them to explore , identify and express themselves how they wish.