Reflections; whats in a label?

Ok so kinda starting with one, but always knowing its just the first step along a path?
S

 

I have attempted to write here a few times but this is a subject that I just can't work out.

On the one hand I hate the limitations that lables put upon us but conversly, I realize that they are necessary as means of communication. If I were to type to you that I was at a party Friday night that was comprised of four frinds & myself. When we got tired. The host went to bed with his partner, another guy slept on the floor, I ended up sharing the couch with the other person as we slept.
I am still using a label or two but I haven't made as acurate of a statement nor as effective as if I said...
I was at a party Friday at the apartment of my gay friend, his partner went to bed early. He, our trans male friend, our trans female friend & I partied & when it ended he joined his partner, the transguy slept on the floor & I shared the couch with my trans sister..... A lot more meaning, right?

 

I'm wondering if your example needed more meaning, do we need to know ones gay and ones a trans male, is in this example '4 people' good enough?

now if it was a party for transexuals and there friends, probably just saying come to a party wouldn't be good enough, for the comfort and safety of all involued
S

 

Labels often simplify things, so we can find the basic traits of others and figure out who we identify with, who might be going through the same stuff we are, who feels how about certain topics. But when we let labels get in the way and close off our minds to other possibilities (ie, one I get a lot, "Hey you can't say he's hot! You're a lesbian! You're not allowed, are you?"), that's when they hinder us and get in the way. Labels are great for the basics, but you can't let it make decisions for you.

 

Labels are necessary for communication. Where they become problematic is when used for identification and evaluation, especially of your Self.

I was a philosophy major in college, so get used to this sort of thing<g>:

As Aristotle put it, "A distinction in analysis is not a separation in fact". We can use as many little cubbyholes as we like, but the world exists as a gestalt and pretty much ignores our categorizations.

 

I'm thinking I should have added another poll option, just yes or no seems to balck and white for this subject.
(note I wasn't the author of the thread but I didadd the poll)
S

 

I'm not a great fan of labels. I see them as a "sometime necessary evil". I think one of the major problems with them is that in the case of transfolk they just help to re-enforce the mainly western concept of the gender binary.

As long as you view male and female as forever distinct and apart, you then have to start attaching labels to all and sundry to determine whereabouts they fall in relation to the two genders. Unfortunately, most transsexuals actually help to re-enforce this by wanting to transition from one to the other, without really considering the possibility of living outside of the gender norms. It can also cause major problems for those that don't pass as their chosen gender.

If we did away with the concept of the gender binary however, all these issues would cease to exist. I doubt we will though, more's the pity!

 

excellent point!
S