The Trans*/Non-Cisgender Thread

See, I actually like the singular 'they', and I resent people who refuse to use it because it's 'grammatically incorrect'. Nothing wrong with it if that's not your pronoun, obviously, but I really hate it when people are like 'we have to use ze/zir for someone whose gender is unknown because 'they' is wrong!' because as far as I'm concerned, 'ze' genders said person as being non-binary, whereas 'they' means said person could be of any gender whatsoever.

An excellent point. I always try to use 'they' when referring to someone of ambiguous gender or a small child for this reason.

Also, and I apologise if this comes across as rude or dismissive, I find it difficult to see how the pronouns 'ze' & 'zir' fit into English very well. I think perhaps 'thon' would be more fitting, or perhaps another 'Englishy' pronoun.

To be honest I think the reason why pronouns like ze/hir feel unnatural or grating is because you just aren't used to them. People use he/she their entire lives, so changing that feels weird. I had a friend that preferred gender neutral pronouns and once I got used to them it felt a lot less awkward to use them. You could make up anything and call it a gender neutral pronoun but it would still feel weird until you got used to it imo because you are having to think about it, it isn't ingrained into you so at first it will feel very deliberate and awkward.
I think that 'they' feels strange because it already has a meaning in english so substituting it for pronouns feels 'wrong' in that sense. Although I agree with what kerily said about they being sort of all-encompassing and not specifically being used to describe someone of non-binary gender.
If you check the wikipedia page for gender neutral pronouns there are a few different ones on there you may feel more comfortable with if you don't like ze/hir. Or just make up your own! People will have to learn/get used to them whatever they are so honestly you could tell them anything.

Wise words. That's why I've been trying to use them as often as I can, because I want to be able to use them when required without my personal... anal-ness(?) getting in the way

I'm probably making life more difficult for myself because I'm trying to get used to using several of the pronouns on Wikipedia's list at the same time (well, not literally, obviously ), just in case, which I admit is pretty stupid.

I like the "tell them anything" idea though. Mwah ha ha...

I wish there was a way to find out if any other trans* people were going to be at the same uni as me. I saw one guy who has the uni I'm going to as a second choice but I wish I knew there would definitely be someone there.

Yeah, I already know where I am going so it doesn't really matter, and it isn't going to be the end of the world if there isn't anyone else there, it would just be nice if there was. It's frustrating that they could be right under my nose without me ever realising. :P
4 is quite a lot, but then again it is London. I actually live in London right now (in Bloomsbury in fact!) so I'm used to having plenty of support and this will be an interesting change. I just hope it goes well.

I am applying for accommodation and would really prefer to have ensuite accommodation for obvious reasons. On the form there is a section for 'special requirements' is it worth noting it here, or shall I contact accommodation directly, or will it be pointless/they won't accommodate?

Hahaha we trek all the way to Sainbury's in islington to do big shops, but do go to the brunswich center to get some things if we're too lazy to go all the way. Since the BC was refurbished and Waitrose replaced Safeways/Morrisons our grocery budget has gone up a LOT. Lol.

And thanks! I did both in the end. And yes I'm diagnosed, and due to be referred to my GP for hormones within the next few weeks - I just need to wait for my blood test to get processed as they messed it up the last time. Do you think it would cover GID? I don't consider myself disabled but I certainly wouldn't say no to any free money.. :P

Haha yeah maybe try and stick to one set at a time.. :P I think that people who do go by gender neutral pronouns generally understand it takes people some getting used to so they aren't gonna be like furious at you just because you aren't 'prepared'

But it is nice to know someone is making the effort. I have enough trouble getting people used to using male pronouns with me, and that's not even new vocabulary for them. So I can only imagine the frustration for anyone wishing to go by gender neutral pronouns. D:

I just found this game/animation about being MTF and I thought you might find it interesting. I did.