Originally Posted By: Wonder Boy
I always thought "she-males" was a voluntary condition.

Gross, but voluntary.

"She-males" is generally seen as derogatory term. You may hear or see some transwomen use, but consider that some Afro-Americans use the word "Nigger" or "Niggah". Some think it's the right way to "take back" derogatory terms, some don't. (Just the same, it's equally offensive to use "he-shes" for transmen.)

The correct term is pre-op (pre operation) transwoman, or Male-to-Female (MtF). (Transmen are often referred to as Female-to-Male.) Some transwomen can't afford or for whatever reason does not choose to do either HRT (hormone replacement therapy) or SRS (sex reassignment surgery). To get SRS, you have to first to do HRT. HRT is a process that takes years. This is what makes transwomen develop breasts, biologically similar to how cisgender (I'll explain that term in the next post) girls develop breasts during puberty. They also (usually) create mood swings and decreased (!) libido, and they always get sterile as a side effect. Usually, MtF:s do also voice training so they'll sound more like ciswomen.

So for a several years, a MtF could have what you call a "condition", not because of choice, but because she needs to wait for the hormones to do their job first.

Some MtF do choose to not get SRS, due to preferring to keep their male genitals. Perhaps because *they* don't mind them and/or because they feel SRS is emasculating. It should be noted that SRS for MtF doesn't mean that the penis is just cut off; it's "split" into three parts and then molded into a vagina, labia, clitoris etc. (The testicles, however, are discarded.)

You may feel grossed out by pre-op MtF. Some don't. (I, and for what it's worth, our mutual comrade Pariah, are not. I'll admit I used to be.) However, no one is forcing you to have relationships or sex with either MtF or FtM, nor should you be forced. Just like you shouldn't be forced to have sex or relationships with overweight women if you find chubby, fat and/or obese women unattractive. Or women with disabilities. Or with scars or burn marks.


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