Why I started blogging in English
I started blogging inspired by all the awesome transmale blogs out there, like Tboy Jacky, Gender Outlaw, GenoTypo and Cheerful Megalomaniac; lesbian blogs like Sugarbutch and Lesbian Dad; and other gender blogs like Genderfork, My Life as a Drag King and Being a Teenage Crossdresser. I haven’t found any blogs by Argentinean transmen; in the whole Spanish language, I found only one transmale blog by a guy from Spain.
When I started this blog, I didn’t know any transpeople in real life yet; I wanted to be part of some kind of community. I decided to write in English so I could share with all the people I’ve mentioned and others I might have forgotten.
The idea of having an English-language blog was also tempting because it’s less likely to be found by people I know. Until this month, I hadn’t shared it with any of my friends. It’s easier to write about potentially embarrassing things if you’re sure that your acquaintances won’t find out — like the time I packed when I was 6 years old. But recently I realized that I’m not embarrassed by anything I’ve said so far.
So last week I started a blog in Spanish and it’s visible on my Facebook page. I want to come out to my schoolmates for once and for all so I can just get it over with. I don’t know if it’s a good or efficient way of coming out, but I need to be comfortable at school. I hope some people, at least, will get the point and call me by my new name and pronouns.
genderkid 
It’s always a dilemma when you’re bilingual, isn’t it. Sometimes, I feel I should write in French because, even though my first language is English, French is actually my mother tongue. Also, there isn’t much info in French for trans guys and the francophone t guys I know around here, many of whom don’t understand much English, are thirsty for info and personal transition accounts.
But when I sit to write, it all comes to me in English. Also, the terminology in French can be different and it makes it harder for me to write about trans issues.
Do you find it easier to write about this stuff in your own language or do you find that it’s easier in English because of the terminology that you’re familiar with?
I’ve always read about trans stuff in English because I couldn’t find much info in Spanish; so now, whenever I write about gender, it comes out in English like you say. It reminds me of this post by an Indian person who finds it easier to write in English and about anglo-saxon subjects.
Besides, there are terms like genderqueer and queer which have no equivalent in Spanish.
Otherwise, I’m usually as comfortable writing in English or in Spanish. The hardest thing is shifting between languages: it was hard to blog in Spanish at first, but when I got the hang of it, it felt awkward to go back to English!
It’s nice to know that someone else has similar language issues.
Could you post a link to your Spanish blog? I’d like to read about trans stuff in Spanish!
Sure:
here it is
Hehe, I just sent you the link by email saying I didn’t want to link between blogs just yet; then I realized how paranoid I was being. I mean, I just posted that “…I’m not embarrassed by anything I’ve said so far”!
I understand; I’ve had blog-paranoia before. Thanks, though!
Thanks for 1) blogging in Spanish and 2) linking to it here! As a Spanish-studying American student who is interested in gender issues, my reading options are pretty limited in that arena. You’re addressing that, and I am eternally grateful.
I love your blog[s], by the way.
You’re welcome, guys, And thanks, Liz/Eli!
I got a mention in your great blog!
:)
I love reading your stories and thoughts. Keep up the good work.
xx
Thanks, Alice! I’m glad to know you’re well; you haven’t posted for a while.
Hi Genderkid!
I’m Ryan from Cheerful Megalomaniac… Radical If is my new blog.
Glad that you enjoyed my writing. I also enjoy yours. I haven’t stopped reading your blog, though I haven’t been an active commenter or blogger for a few months.
Hi, Ryan! I’m really glad to know you’re well, too. I’ve been worried about you and Alice since you haven’t posted in a while. (Strange, worrying about people I don’t even know in person. But reading your blogs makes me feel like I know you, at least a little bit.)
Yeah, I feel the same way about the blogs I read. Sometimes I refer to people as my ‘online friends’ even when I only communicate with them via blogging. :)
I don’t know if the link to my new blog worked… its at http://radicalyffe.wordpress.com/ if you want to come over there.