a) Confusing doesn't matter, it's what most trans people prefer and we should all respect that. It's not just gender identity, it's also sexual identity which by definition isn't black or white (thus "genderqueer" and "intersex" both exist)

Some people identify as trans from a very early age, some do not. There isn't a universal rule here, but by using phrases like "born as a man" the implication is that trans people changed somewhere along the line, and went from "being a man" to "being a woman" when it's a lot more complicated than that. The…

I honestly hadn't considered the erasure that happens when I say "treat them like you always have (read: with respect and love)". Thank you for teaching me something today, and for sharing your experiences!

I definitely didn't think you were intentionally trying to be offensive or anything, so I'm sorry if it came off that way. You clearly put a lot of thought and effort into your response, and I appreciate that immensely.

The fact that you're already worried about and carefully considering your actions is a good thing, for sure. You clearly care, and I wouldn't worry too much about upsetting anyone. Your concern and curiosity clearly come from a place of love, and I don't know many people who wouldn't be willing to forgive a misstep…

To answer the question of what she'll do to Pornstache:

I think the biggest rules are the same as with anyone's personal life: don't make any assumptions and don't ask questions unless the individual has offered you the opportunity. Just like you wouldn't walk up to someone and ask them when their due date is without knowing if they're pregnant, you know? If it's someone…

You did a really great job of trying to explain this, but saying that a trans woman was "born a man" is still somewhat problematic. I usually say that trans women were born with the physical markers of a male or were "assigned male" at birth, and transitioned into presenting as female. They were always female, but…

But that's not an accurate way to think about it, and it's definitely problematic. Trans women were always women, they just had the physical markers of being a man. Thus, trans women transition to presenting as female, they aren't "transformed" into anything at all.

Trans ____ (women/men) are born ______ (women/men) with the physical markers of the opposite sex. No one is having surgery to "look" like anything. Trans women are women who were born with male physical markers. Not all trans people have surgery.

With the potential added benefit of making peace with GT.

Bergsy approves.

You gave me this once, now I'm giving it back.

(Just consider me your personal fan club. In a not creepy way.)

She moved to America in 2004 so yes, she is, though perhaps I should have said woman of color.

In a sport where an African American invented and perfected a move no one else could do and she still was denied any sort of recognition for it...I sincerely doubt that race and economics had nothing to do with this decision. It's a lot easier to sell things with a pretty white girl.

Made the same joke on Gawker. Not even sorry.

They license the likenesses of whatever characters or depictions they are interested in selling, and then work with their suppliers to make them happen, to my understanding. I doubt Adventure Time or even Cartoon Network had anything to do with the decision as to which toys got made, McD's just bought up the rights…