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In the particular case of FtMs with Asperger's syndrome (or autism or neurodivergence more-generally), I think the problem lies largely in being measured against neurotypical gender experience/expression; I'm an Aspie myself and although I'm a straight man (my younger sibling FtM), I'm not a walking stereotype by any stretch of the imagination. This is to say that while Aspergirls (colloquial term) may indeed appear "trans" by comparison to neurotypicals, this might not remain the case if compared just among their own kind.

Of course the reactionaries invariably view that observation through the "disorder" lens, and definitely don't follow your wisdom about leaving evil alone. How are neurotypicals to know that their worldview is "correct" in the first place, anyway?

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I also work in the psychology/mental health field, and while sadly I don't know of too many good studies either, my anecdotal experience also is that virtually every FtoM was a victim of childhood sexual abuse. However, this does not match my experience with MtoF, who fit in more with the autogynephilia/sexual fetishism explanation. I wonder if childhood sexual abuse of men more often than not results in them becoming gay, whereas for women it leads to trans? As my hunch would also tell me that this may connect to the fact that most MtoF's still want to date women (the opposite sex), whereas FtoM's want to date women (the same sex), and thus that Lesbianism and FtoM are more closely related than Gays and MtoF.

Furthermore, the role of estrogen-mimicking compounds like BPA or atrazine can't be discounted as well, if they can turn the frogs gay, maybe they can turn us humans gay too?

One of the few clear data points that I am aware of though, is that MtoF people commit suicide more than FtoM despite fewer attempts, which matches biological males vs. females in suicide rates among the rest of the population. So maybe they have more in common with the rest of their biological sex than they previously thought?

Also, that suicide is way less for gender-non conforming, which leads me to believe that surgery/bodily mutilation is bad for survival in and of itself, moreso than just outwardly identifying as the opposite sex and acting/dressing like them. I can get behind someone wanting to dress different or act in non-traditional gender role, but feeling okay with removing body parts is a step too far for 99% of cases imho. Especially that for similar conditions like Bodily Integrity Disorder/Dysphoria, it's pretty much understood that using cbt/meds is best, and removing a limb is definitely NOT the standard of care, despite that being often what most people with it ask for. Perhaps there's more in common between these two diagnoses than we would like to admit...

Thanks for your writing, big fan. Hope my rambling is well received

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typo:

turbo-thinky self survived childhood (which is unlikely))<-------.

(can delete this comment after fixing)

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