being perceived as an 'ally' vs. being included

[hebinekohime]

Feeling conflicted about this. I can see the reasons for the frustration expressed here, b/c there is more opportunity to be heard if you're perceived as straight and "normal", and that isn't really fair. OTOH, the idea that (various gender-different people) aren't a part of the trans community if they aren't actively being oppressed doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me. It reminds me of how some gay people will carry misgivings about bisexuals because of their ability to (sometimes, certainly not always) blend into the dominant straight culture. But I still think that bi, pan, or asexuals who consider themselves part of queer culture should be able to do so without guilt. Because, um, in a heteronormative world? Bi, Pan, and A are all queer. Just like being androgynous or agendered or fluid or anything else is all non gender normative.

Are some bisexuals homophobes, or some androgynes transphobes? Surely a few are. But just like bisexuals don't exist to trivialize or undermine gayness, androgynes are not here to undermine transgendered people. Yeah, we're somewhat different and we should acknowledge that difference. But we also have a lot of things in common and too much to gain from each other to waste it on fights over who is "queer enough" or "trans enough".

And while I know nothing about this person beyond this post, and don't want to put words in their mouth, it seems pretty clear to me that they're already concerned about appropriation and power dynamics or they wouldn't be sheepish about discussing their gender in the first place. I find the pokemans language of the last comment dismissive and rude. This person doesn't need a lecture, IMO, and they don't need to be made to feel like a usurper for the gender they have. Marginal identities need to be heard and supported.