Matthew94:

orangeban:

Matthew94:

So the whole reason behind changing their legal status is just so they feel better?

Well, to put it very, very simply, yes. It's about wanting society to accept you as your actual gender, and being able to properly live your life without fear of being outed because you've had to give someone your passport or whatever.

To put it a bit more in depth, I've always seen transitioning as fixing my body. My body is "wrong" in that I have the wrong sex-gender pair up. By transitioning gender you can fix this mis-match. And, if you ask me, no, the actual characteristics (the hormones, the genitals, etc.) don't really matter, not on their own. It's more about how society treats you. If you look like a man, society treats you like a man, and the hormones and surgery and legal status changes are required in order to make society treat you like who you actually are.

Also, to be honest, I'm not sure what other reason there would be for legally changing your gender other than so you feel better. I mean, that's one of the major reasons we do anything, surely? I'm certainly not going to transition gender for anyone elses benefit.

I'm just trying to view things in terms of facts. I think unless you conclusively change yourself to a new gender you shouldn't be able to change your legal gender.

The problem with that stance is it opens up a whole new can of worms. What do people call a proper transition? I would say it would be the possession of properly formed sex organs, along with hormone therapy and the change of chromosomes. I think in the future all those things may be possible, though I think they may be quite a while off. Others may say if you think you are the gender you should be it.

I do not think (in the case of MTF) that simply feeling like a woman and looking like one is enough, I think the body must properly transition which cannot be done right now.

What I hate about this topic is it is so gray, so much is uncertain.

My personal opinion is that if you want to change your gender, you should be allowed to do it. No questions asked, no prerequisites required. I believe it's cruel to demand people have serious surgery, take drugs for several years and be diagnosed with a mental illness by a doctor before you're allowed to actually be recognised as who you are.

Luckily I live in Britain, which is one of the best countries in terms of legally changing your gender. You don't need the genital surgery, you just need to have lived full-time as your preferred gender for a time and to have been diagnosed by a doctor with gender dysphoria. This is much better than most countries, even some of the more liberal countries (like Sweden until very recently) demand that you be sterilised before you can change gender!

orangeban:
To put it a bit more in depth, I've always seen transitioning as fixing my body. My body is "wrong" in that I have the wrong sex-gender pair up. By transitioning gender you can fix this mis-match. And, if you ask me, no, the actual characteristics (the hormones, the genitals, etc.) don't really matter, not on their own. It's more about how society treats you. If you look like a man, society treats you like a man, and the hormones and surgery and legal status changes are required in order to make society treat you like who you actually are.

Agreed. Maybe this is a somewhat crude example (it's NSFW and they're a porn star), but would you really class this person:

as a man? Yeah, you wouldn't know it, but she has a penis. And society would treat her as a woman when they look at her.

Matthew94:

orangeban:

Matthew94:

How? Just because it looks like the organ and they have the hormones it doesn't mean they truly have changed sex. Changing the appearance does not change what it is.

A MTF (for example) doesn't have working ovaries, has no eggs and still has XY chromosomes.

You get sterile women, they're still women aren't they? You get women who have XX chromosomes, or various other combinations, but we still see them as women don't we?

I changed the wording for the other persons post. I mean properly formed organs, not working organs. I should have been clearer.

"You get women who have XX chromosomes"

Yes, pretty much all of them hence why I said if you still have XY then I don't think you can say you have fully transitioned.

Crap, messed that up. I meant to say that you get women who have XY chromosomes (as in, they are born with vaginas and have a female gender and female secondary sexual characteristics, they just have XY chromosomes)).

Edit: Oh, and what would you classify a, say, post-op transwoman as in terms of gender? If you don't think they meet your standards for being a woman, I'm pretty sure they wouldn't meet your standards for being a man either. What do they put on their passports?

Matthew94:

orangeban:

My personal opinion is that if you want to change your gender, you should be allowed to do it. No questions asked, no prerequisites required. I believe it's cruel to demand people have serious surgery, take drugs for several years and be diagnosed with a mental illness by a doctor before you're allowed to actually be recognised as who you are.

Luckily I live in Britain, which is one of the best countries in terms of legally changing your gender. You don't need the genital surgery, you just need to have lived full-time as your preferred gender for a time and to have been diagnosed by a doctor with gender dysphoria. This is much better than most countries, even some of the more liberal countries (like Sweden until very recently) demand that you be sterilised before you can change gender!

That's ok then. I'm glad we could have a rational conversation about this. Many of these debates I've seen on the forum have gone bad fast, I'm glad ours stayed civil.

I think the way the UK handles it is probably one of the best ways to keep most people as happy as possible. Though you know my stance, I think it's acceptable that you can change status after being diagnosed with gender dysphoria rather than the way other countries handle it.

I don't think there is much more to say other than that. Have a nice day.

No problem man, cool that we could reach a civil agreement, that doesn't happen often enough on the internet.

All the vices tick me off. I'm fully aware that smoking, drinking and most recreational drug use, in moderation, basically have no lasting effect on the human body. But due to personal experience I can't help but see all of these as self-destructive and when I see someone drunk or high I lose a lot of respect for them.

However, I make sure not to be "that guy" and I've learned not to get all preachy about my views.

People who talk about losing their "faith in humanity" and just mope all the time. Either talking about how children are a waste of people's time and money (or something else cold and robotic like that) or about how things suck and will always suck and how in these specific ways that I will outline for you, without being asked, are examples and proof of how it will become completely, super exponentially suckier than it ever has been before. There is no reason to ever be positive about the slightest thing, and I should just sit and brood, faceless on the internet about why no one will ever have the common sense like I do. Why no one else thinks correctly like I do. And then thousands respond with the exact. same. grievances. And still claim "why does no one else think like I do? or do something?"

Good goddamn question.

So you're down and depressed, thinking everything is shit and are a all-around cynical asshole. Maybe you've thought of killing yourself.

To quote a famous 4chan thread, "Congratulations, the world is now your oyster!" Because apparently ANYTHING is better than the life you're living now. I'm not saying to just "nut up and be normal" just to ask what youre really accomplishing, and if the answer is "nothing" then to DO SOMETHING. ANYTHING AT ALL. Smalls steps or drastic steps, totally optional!

I just want to grab some of the people by the ring of their neck and tell them "Do something, you son of a bitch! Your life is just a ride and only what you make of it! Stop taking yourself so fucking seriously! You have absolutely nothing to lose."

---
small opinion:
I really do think the Israelis "need to get out of Palestine", as Helen Thomas put it. This opinion does not make me antisemitic or a conspiracy crazed neo-nazi.

I'm of the opinion that it is NOT okay, NOT cool, and NOT "hip" to be an asshole; online or off.

But apparently, I'm in the EXTREME minority, being that most people today relish being a dick towards everyone else.

Matthew94:
Well some people think that just because a person has cosmetic surgery, it doesn't change their sex and thus shouldn't be forced to change how they talk.

Its just about having a bit of respect. How much effort does it take you to simply refer to that person as female (or male if we're talking FTM) if that's their wish and it makes them happy? Is it really so important to you to be so literal all the time?

i like the old republic way way way more than either knights of the old republic games

fallout 3 should not have been a first person shooter

children (basically anyone in middle school or younger) annoy the crap out of me, no matter what. even if theyre just sitting there quietly and not saying or doing anything, their existence just kind of makes me angry.

i look forward to the day when all games are digital and used games are a thing of the past

heath ledger wasnt that great as the joker. he was good but nothing special. if he hadnt died, i dont think most people would have cared about his acting in that role

im an atheist but dont automatically think religious people are stupid or ignorant. i think any atheist who thinks anyone who believes in god is stupid, is no better than a christian who forces their beliefs on others

i think feminism is still very important, despite the fact that america mostly has gender equality, from a legal standpoint

i love video games, but most gamers make me sick to my stomach

gender isnt determined by whats between your legs, its determined by whats between your ears

i dont think soldiers deserve respect, they deserve sympathy

Matthew94:
So I'll make it clear. Personally I would feel they are still a man but I would still treat them as a woman as that is what they are recognised as under the law. That's what I think I would do, I have yet to knowingly meet a transperson so I cannot talk from experience.

Well, that's the cool thing to do I reckon. I'm alright with people who don't personally agree with someone's gender identity (like you). I mean, I disagree with them but I don't have a problem with them.

It's the people who make a big thing of activelly refusing to acknowledge someones gender identity (using the wrong pronouns on purpose for example) that really anger me. It's really rude and a nasty thing to do.

I mean, it's just common decency and tact really, you don't have to act like a jerk to someone just because you disagree with their assessment of their own gender. If you don't do that, then you'll be alright around any transpeople you meet.

And yeah, transwoman refers to a woman born in a man's body.

Oro44:
All the vices tick me off. I'm fully aware that smoking, drinking and most recreational drug use, in moderation, basically have no lasting effect on the human body. But due to personal experience I can't help but see all of these as self-destructive and when I see someone drunk or high I lose a lot of respect for them.

However, I make sure not to be "that guy" and I've learned not to get all preachy about my views.

Me too. Problem is my friends like hanging out with me but I think they still get offended when I don't drink with them... It's awkward.

I think Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is worse than Kingdom of the Crystal Skull.

I don't actually think Matrix Reloaded is that bad of a movie (unsexy Neo/Trinity sex scene not withstanding)

I kind of liked Star Trek Voyager.

I think Speed Racer was a great movie.

Zombies are over-rated.

I liked Oblivion more than I liked Morrowind.

I actually like LMFAO's Sexy and I Know It.

There are a few of mine.

Oh and I loved Tron Legacy.

-I don't think pot should be legalized

-I like Dragon Age 2

-I think E.T. is not a very good movie at all

I don't Believe in Bi-sexuality, i think its incorrect as a frame of sexuality and is a title people use to seem different or diverse, i believe you can be curious but not have it as a sexual preference, because it isn't one, to me anyway.

I dont think there is such a thing as Equality and there never will be, at least not in this life time

I dont like Modern Warfare games and i never will

I think money has ruined everything

I think pirates are better than ninjas

I think being a gentleman these days is underrated and something more guys should strive to be

They should teach philosophy in schools if there going to teach religious education, its just as important

i think thats it .......... oh and I'm pro choice on abortions

Matthew94:

Relish in Chaos:

Melanie McGreevey:

I dont have a lot of time, but yes, looking into the mirror and seeing.. "that" down there makes me ill, disgusted, and depressed. It's a mind/body transformation for most of us. Change the exterior... fine, but the hormones do a LOT as well for our insides.

Exactly. I don't know why this is so hard for some people to get.

So the whole reason behind changing their legal status is just so they feel better?

So we can live like we feel we were meant to live. Correcting a mistake... many people do things to make themselves happy (appearance or otherwise).

Matthew94:

What I hate about this topic is it is so gray, so much is uncertain.

Not a single thing grey about it for me. It's black and white...life...or death. period.

For me it would have to be that I believe people with bad genes or genetic diseases shouldn't have kids.

I don't think the choice should be made for these people. Just that they should rather adopt if they wan't kids.

Upbeat Zombie:
For me it would have to be that I believe people with bad genes or genetic diseases shouldn't have kids.

I don't think the choice should be made for these people. Just that they should rather adopt if they wan't kids.

agreed, my father carries a genetic disorder, and he and my mother chose not to have kids, but to adopt.

ace_of_something:
I'm against both the death penalty and (generally) abortion. Both are common stances but rarely together people who are against one are usually for the other (which makes no goddamn sense to me).

As a police officer I am for the legalization of pot, mostly for economic reasons. I believe you should have a license to sell it and must have a commercially zoned building for it. My big issue with it is that you can only suspect someone of DUI with pot unless you get a blood test.
The opinion is very unpopular among law enforcement officials because they see the worst damage it can do. Sometimes I think of horrific incidents and switch my position for a few days.
I'd be a terrible politician.

solvemedia: High Time

how very coincidental.

I always enjoy reading your posts. It is both nice to hear a police officer's perspective, and you always seem to break the mold a little as well (so you manage to provide both the perspective of a police officer, and the reasoning for a good middle ground).

If you don't mind me asking though, why are you against abortion? I mean, I feel it is a bit ... crass, but I don't think it is immoral (provided it is done before the development of significant neural tissue, such that the fetus is able to be considered aware). So I suppose what I'm asking is, are you against it on moral grounds, such as believing a zygote to be worthy of human rights considerations, or is your opposition more from a view of social expectations, where you think that the issue isn't the abortions, but rather the underlying social causes of most of them (irresponsible sexual practices, for example).

OT: I'm an atheist, so that was a somewhat non-popular opinion in my primary and secondary education institutions (both were private catholic schools), as most people were either some form of derivation of the Abrahamic faiths or agnostic deists (essentially people who oppose my view, or people who don't like to give it much thought, and therefore the unpopular positions (atheism for the most part, seeing as we had no out-spoken pagans, muslims, buddhist, etc) are generally frowned about for disturbing the theological peace).

Apart from that, I tend to be a little bit too nice for some people, and too aggressive for others, somehow managing to avoid a lot of either group ... somehow (I have no idea either), which seems less about ideas and more about approaches.

Black Arrow Officer:
-Most mods are shit. Sorry, but the developers do a generally better job, even with the "overhaul" mods.

You're really going to need to clarify this, cause otherwise it sounds like you have no idea what you're talking about. Most mods, for EVERY game? Cause that generalization seems a bit too broad. Not to mention that The line between mod and developer has been blurred since mods like Team Fortress and Counter Strike became their own games. A "overhaul mod" would imply that the original developers had nothing to do with it (see everything that the Stalker community has made), in fact mod would imply that the original creators had nothing to do with it in the first place.

Kinguendo:

Th3Ch33s3Cak3:
I think that universal healthcare is a good idea.
I think that the price of college in the U.S is too high.
I believe that all first world countrys should bring in a 1-child law and stop all child allowance, untill a small and self sustaining population has been achieved in those countrys.

The first 2 are not unpopular opinions, when thinking globally, the last one however...

As Inhumane as that last one sounds, It would actually bring our planet's population to a manageable size (if you applied the 1 child law to every country, not just the first world ones.) At this moment, however, things are getting a bit overcrowded.

There are several benefits to a lower population size: More food to go around, reducing the amount of pollution added to our air (and, thus, slowing down Global Warming), and, quite possibly, more jobs to go around, just to name a few.

There are some downsides to it, as well, but in my opinion, they are greatly outweighed by the benefits.

Revenge makes me feel worse rather than better

Religious education (from an academic perspective not a theological one) should be taught in schools (I'm from Canada)

I thoroughly enjoy reasoned and civil debates with those who disagree with me but any pretension or arrogance almost always leads me to disregarding anything else they say, logical or not

The world's largest economies (at least the G8 but possibly even the G20) should be funnelling a lot more money into a transnational space program with the goal of putting a human on Mars within the next 20 years

Captain Picard is much better than Captain Kirk

Clowns are horrific creatures placed on this Earth by Satan to test our faith and one day usher in the Apocalypse

Only one of these is false...

I actually don't mind shooters, and I think that people who look down on people who like those kinds of games are elitist snobs.

EA is given way too much hate.

The whole Hardcore/Casual gaming thing is nonsense and people who whine about how games now-a-days are too easy or pander to the "lowest common denominator" need to shut up.

Mass Effect 3's ending, while disappointing, is completely blown out of proportion, and I'm glad Bioware is making a compromise with us through giving us FREE ending DLC.

*whew*

I feel "God", creation, and just about everything else as described by the Bible is a complete and total lie.
By the lack of any better label, that makes me an atheist.
In America, that makes my opinion just slightly less popular than Islam.

Some interesting tid bits here.
kudos that its at least been half respectful.

Some unpopular opinions I have that typically make people cringe.
I think the world is over populated. Possible solutions include:
***
anyone is jail for "life" that has served more then 10years of that sentence ( not been found innocent by re-investigation and such) should be executed if their charge was murder, rape and the likes. They had their shot at being a member of society and blew it.
***
as mentioned any child born with severe mental disabilites should be euthanized.
***
some people mentioned adopting kids is a very complex process, then my argument is so should having them in first place. If you can't pass to adopt a kid then you shouldnt be able to have one of your own either.
***
The world is to fat and lazy.
I think peoples freedom to choose their own food intake has lead us to this narrow path that to many people are to fat to fit down. Why is a cheese burger cheaper then salad veggies from the supermarket ? The government knows this stuff in excess is bad, and people are infamous for taking the cheaper option.
***
There was a debate for some pages about bullying. As a victim of bullying, who eventually had a psychotic episode due to excessive stress levels I can say first hand bullying is both good and bad. Good in that it encourages you to grow stronger. Bad in that it can and often does result in personality disorders.
Based on the points raised in the debate, i offer there should be security details like in the prisons for schools, monitoring the kids to make sure they dont step out of line.
Also mobiles, handheld games etc, should be BANNED from ALL schools. You're here to learn, not slack off...
Also this whole everyone gets a "stamp" reward system is bunk.
Keep the kid back after class and help them reach a level of understanding if they get it wrong, and dont be afraid to tell them they got it wrong. If another kid pipes up to give the kid flak, then keep them back too.
***
Everyone should serve at least 3 years military service. Period.
The discipline and work ethic established will only benefit society.
***
I think the world has gone to shit as we can no longer defend ourselves to the fullest of our capabilities.
If you break into my house, then its free game son.
You have no cause to ever enter my house without permission, unless you're an ambulance officer, fire fighter or policeman trying to SAVE my life.
I have every right to think you are there to cause me deadly harm and I will defend myself accordingly.
My personal choice is without a weapon of any kind :) <16 years martial arts training>
When you CHOOSE to break the law then you CHOOSE face the consequences.
The whole lawyer defense of a "bad upbringing" can also bite the big one. I had it pretty bad too, but did I ever break the law ? fuck no.. not even a speeding ticket.
***
On speeding tickets: if the average speed limit is 60km/h then why does my cars speedo go up to 210 ? The car should be designed to go 60km/h end of story, with an engine to match and all that jazz. Some bushland open roads have a speed limit of 110, but the average is still around 50-60km/h.
***
I personally have no problems with gay marriage. With people like Kim Kardashian (latest example i can think of ) turning marriage into a joke, then people who actually want to commit to marriage should able to, no matter their preference of partner.
Just don't invite me to the ceremony as I'd rather not be involved.
***
If women are equal to men then why are women the first to judge me when I dont help a woman with physical tasks ?
The grass is always greener I guess.
***
Why do we burn oil for fuel ? there alot of other alternates this day and age.
If every household had solar panels on their roof imagine the impact that would have. Mind you EVERY house.
There would be power to spare that could stored in capacitors ( or what ever its actually called ) to run things at night time. I would be fairly confident of an excess of power, so we could have electric rail cars, just use GPS and robot drivers to program your destination and off you go.
But the retro fit of the road systems would probably take about 250 years :(
Petrol to my knowledge is a non renewable fuel system. Its going to run out eventually, so then what ? do we have a way to make synthetic fuel ? coz ive never heard about it.

hmm, might leave it there for a bit.
that was nice, thanks OP

Ok... please nobody start a petition for my immediate removal from this website. Honestly I love lots of popular culture, and I even really really like sci fi.
But...
I don't like the Star Wars 4.5 and 6 MOVIES. Even worse, I kind of like the 1st/4th one the best. The old movies are dated, some of the acting is bad, Yoda sometimes looks like a sock puppet and I really don't like the whole culture around them, like whenever somebody tries to alter them people get really upset.
I recently came across proper books for each movie, and I like the idea of that. More time to develop characters, can use my imagination (which even after growing up as part of Gen Y I still believe trumps any CG) and the acting can never be bad... unless the writing is bad :S

Jack the Potato:
RAINBOOOOOOWS

The gay flag doesn't have a rainbow on it. Go check. 6 colors.

Anyway, unpopular opinions.

I do not believe in any god. More over, I do not believe that religion should be taught in schools unless it is a fair and balanced study of all religions, including extinct "mythologies". Private, religious schools should have funding cut from them, and be banned. They are nothing but damaging.

Pro-choice, regardless of the reason.

Feminism ("the promotion of welfare and rights of women") is fucking stupid. Equality is the one banner we should all be joined under.

Women should be given less consideration in civil cases including custody and money when it comes to divorces. I have seen innocent children go to women who should be legally declared insane and a danger to themselves and those around them

All drugs that can be shown to have even a single benefit, even if that benefit is entertainment, should be legalized and regulated. Forcing of any drug on someone should be a felony (excluding medical practitioners on unconscious or insane patients).

Religion should be treated like smoking. Not in public, not in crowded areas, and not near children.

Gun restrictions should be lowered for those without a violent criminal record in my country (Australia). Those with a violent criminal record should be required to undergo an extensive vetting process, and mandatory fortnightly sessions with a psychologist, if they want to keep a firearm.

Science and logic should be mandatory in K-6. It will not contain creationism, or intelligent design. It will include evolution.

Australia's first female, atheist Prime Minister is a fucking joke and should be removed.

The two major Australian parties (Liberal and Labor), should be temporarily disbanded by the Governor-General until they stop acting like fucking children. Gives the Greens and the Sex Party a chance to actually change up this country.

Threats of religious violence, be it jihad, fatwa or otherwise, should result in either the execution or deportation of any member of Western society.

MinimanZombie:
Fuck. Well speaking of the death penalty, I don't think we should have it. Instead I think those on death row should have scientific tests done on them. To specify, the tests that are brought upon animals. It just seems more likely to work and they're being punished for the crimes they commited. Plus a man who murdered one man, could save the lives of millions.

This never even occurred to me. I like this idea!

A little follow-up:

Gun laws are stupid pretty much everywhere, and especially in the US, Australia, Switzerland and the like. It is perhaps not very surprising that these are the countries with the most gun-crimes per capita. Only the police, the military, and shooting galleries (those would have to have extra-tight security to prevent theft) should have access to firearms.

The war on smoking should stop right this instant.

Racism is a bad thing, but so is multiculturalism. There is no way to "cure" racism, it's in the human nature. And multiculturalism obviously doesn't work at all: just ask any Russian, Frenchman, or Englishman.

Autism and Asperger's are two diagnoses banded about way more than they should be. ADD is simply not a thing. The children that actually DO have autism or Asperger's shouldn't be forced to attend the same schools as normal children, since it benefits absolutely no one. They should be either home-schooled (not like they can learn any social skills anyway) or put into special schools.