this post was submitted on 12 Aug 2023
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Men's Liberation

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[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 22 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Thank you, Kit.
Here are some questions:

  1. I don't know if women really understand how powerful testosterone is. What was/is your experience with it?
  2. What other biological differences did you notice? Were they temporary or permanent?
  3. How do you think men and women can better understand each other?
  4. What are some things you would change about women? And about men?
  5. What did you think about strip clubs when you were a woman? Did that opinion change as a man? Why and how?
  6. What did you think about women before transitioning and how did that change after you transitioned? And also about men.

I don't want to wear out my welcome so I'll stop there. No rush to answer, I'd prefer more complete answers to quick ones.

[–] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 22 points 1 year ago (3 children)
  1. For me, testosterone primarily feels like the ability to focus and critically think - like my head was foggy before and is now clear. Everything seems to be logical, and my ability to troubleshoot complex issues is dramatically stronger when my T levels are good. Without T, everything feels extremely emotional and even minor things feel like they're high-stakes. That's not to say that I don't feel emotion with T, rather the emotions are more appropriate for the situation. I do find that I care less about people in general when on T - For example, when I see a stranger with a problem I don't feel like I have an obligation to help them whereas before I had an intristic need to help everyone around me.
  2. I had many biological changes, such as a change in body fat and muscle, significant facial/body hair, hair thinning - which is a miserable conversion in and of itself, period loss, and changes in my genitals that I would prefer not to discuss. All of these were euphoric to me, meaning they made me feel good and more like myself.
  3. I think that the best way for a man to understand a woman and vice-versa is to roleplay online as the opposite gender. For example, you may have noticed that people are more willing to help and harass you as a female character. Male characters mostly get ignored.
  4. I thought on this one for a while and couldn't come up with a strong response that doesn't just parrot the talking points of this community.
  5. I felt indifferent and uninterested in strip clubs before transitioning. I still feel the same way. They just seem like a bad time to me.
  6. Before transitioning I didn't understand gender dynamics at all. I thought it was a level playing field and had no grasp on the many courtesies and dangers that women face that men do not, and vice-versa. It's often frustrating to see people rag on men's or women's behavior/privilege/issues, because people rarely hit the mark on reality.

I did also want to mention that one thing blew my mind - The way that the dynamics of a room change when it's all men, versus when there's a single woman in the room. With all men, it seems like guys relax and suddenly don't feel the need to walk on eggshells. Social courtesies become significantly less important and men tend to communicate more directly. Next time you're in a room of all men and a woman walks in, keep an eye out for the subtle differences in how men behave.

[–] noughtnaut 7 points 1 year ago

I love that you did this mini AMA. Thank you for that. 🤗

[–] guyrocket@kbin.social 6 points 1 year ago

This is all very interesting. Thanks again, Kit.

[–] Wanderer@lemm.ee 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

On your last point. Guys only get to be guys when around other guys, exclusively.

Lots of women act like men aren't right or they aren't good enough when they actual normal and do normal guy shit.

Guys wants to call each other a cunt and rip into each other and tell funny stories, it's how they bond and trust each other. Girls don't like that and think guys should stop it. Either the guys act normal to them and it goes to HR or they act normal to each other and the girl is pissed off she is treated differently and goes to HR. The only thing to do is to act completely professionally.

Boys are just built different and I don't think it's fair that women always tell us and actual children how they should and shouldn't act in a way that is against their nature.

Guys are in dire need of male only spaces where they can shoot the shit. I only really had it in sports clubs or as a child, or luckily in some work environments. But work isn't the same as outside so that's sucks. Wish my knee wasn't fucked.

[–] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 2 points 1 year ago

If you yearn for a male only space, check out the Freemasons. There's something there for everyone, and it's a great way to make friends later in life.

[–] noughtnaut 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm crossing my fingers that you'll get a reply, and not as a PM. I'm bursting with curiosity but such things are so very difficult to even have opportunity to be enlightened.

[–] Kit@lemmy.blahaj.zone 4 points 1 year ago

I replied above just now. I got stuck on #4 and thought on it for the night.