Personally, for me it’s the idea that just because you don’t experience something (dysphoria, or being a gender other than what society expects of you) that doesn’t mean those experiences aren’t valid.
I get sooo tired of the response “I just don’t understand! I love being my AGAB! Why can’t you just get over it?”
I’ve heard this exact same phrasing in response to my being ADHD. Funny how that works with people.
Same, lol. I think it boils down to yes, a lot of people can relate to aspects of being trans or even ADHD, but there is a certain threshold where action needs to be taken.
Most people can relate to lack of motivation or ability to focus from time to time, but when I don’t take my ADHD meds, that is me all the time regardless of circumstances. I needed help in managing the ADHD.
Most people can relate to enjoying hobbies or mannerisms or expression that are socially tagged as of a different gender, but being trans means that you inherently are of another gender and have a need to express differently than society expects.
It’s a deeper level for both situations and just because a cis person (or neurotypical person) can relate to the surface level in some way does not invalidate the deeper feelings and experiences of another.
That probably is why I got so angry when my step mom said “well, why can’t you just be a feminine guy, isn’t that enough?”
No, because I am not a man. It has nothing to do with femininity and everything to do with my identity. Exploring my feminine side is how I find my authentic self.
Well put.