Given that VERY few people are uber male or uber female, uber straight or uber gay, we ALL sit at some point on the axis of gender and sexuality. Unless it is someone I would wish to have aphysical relationship with it does not matter one hoot to me how they define themselves regarding their sexuality. Whilst I physically am attracted to women, I love men and women quite happily because sex is not the centre of my universe.

I have no idea what 'caused' me to be as and who I am. The recent, and rapidly evolving, field of epigenetics covers so many wonderous concoctions of nature and nuture affecting so many animals in very different ways.

Many of us are hard wired toward being a certain type of being well before we are born (in utero where hormonal highs and lows can really effect more than just physical sexual characteristics) and then the rest is down to environmental effects from all sorts of directions (not least our parents and immediate surroundings).

There is no 'set model' for any animal, human or non human; just a blueprint that has all sorts of things that can be changed as it gets built.

In my case I do not think any estrogenic chemicals ever got a chance to affect my body in any way I would not have welcomed. The chances are my 'fate' was sealed before I was born. That said, I have no regrets for myself. I do regret having caused people who know me pain and hardship at times (often when I had no idea that was what I was doing). I would certainly go about the whole transition process different BUT would still transition.

I do not pretend to be perfect or anyone's cup of tea. All I know is that I am happy and function better now as a whole human being than at any time in my life. I am individual. Just like all of you :)

I do thank those of you who have obviously thought more deep about the topic for your input and insight :)