[Jecilyn]

Lorekeep: but when we reach the borders of sexuality and attraction, I want to have faith that the feelings I have are genuine. I am NOT attracted to women who were once men

I'm not one to try and pour fuel on the fire...however....

Your comment above really doesn't do the rest of your comment justice. To my reading, it totally dispels your assertion that you are not a bigot. (and I'm not accusing you of it, just that your wording doesn't support it)

It sounds like you're actually saying you don't _want_ to be attracted to a woman who used to be a man? Feelings Genuine? It sounds like you mean you want to sure the target of your feelings are 'genuine' rather than the feelings themselves.

If you met someone in a bar and found them attractive and wanted to talk to them, would you expect the first thing out of their mouth to be "Before we continue, actually I'm a trans-woman?"

This goes into a much greater area than the classic 'It's a trap' that gets bandied about so much.

Trans individuals almost always suffer a great deal of rejection and discrimination simply by being who they are....when they finally are able to achieve a measure of peace with themselves and are able to be who they truly are, should we have the right to demand they tell us their history just so we can feel better/safer/more secure about our sexuality...and in doing so, extending that rejection and discrimination?

I understand why some people react the way they do....worrying that by being attracted to someone whose genetics may have the same chromosome pattern as they themselves have....that this somehow makes them gay...

And yet, with the numerous murders and maiming of those individuals who are open about their past... are we surprised when those same individuals want to keep their past secret and present as the person they are now?

It's a very convoluted issue....and antagonistic postings don't help anyone....no matter how passionate we may be about an issue. While I support 100% HOB's personal journey and the difficulty she faces, I do not support the way in which she lashed out....no matter how understandable it might be under the circumstances.

Likewise, the person who began this thread has a right to his/her opinion, but not to avoid the repercussions (read: responses) of voicing that opinion....loudly, and to people who make up the demographic he/she is denigrating.