- For the electronic music EP by Mr. Oizo, see Transexual (EP). Transexual is an EP from electronic musician Mr Oizo. It was released June 11, 2007
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Transsexualism is a condition in which a person identifies with a physical sex different from the one that they were born with or assigned in cases where ambiguity of the child's sex organs led to assigning them a physical sex. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives Androgyny is a term derived from the Greek words ανήρ ( anér, meaning man and γυνή ( gyné, meaning woman that can refer to either of two Bigender (bi+gender is a tendency to move between masculine and feminine Gender -typed behaviour depending on context expressing a distinctly " Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular Society. Drag kings are mostly female Performance artists who dress in masculine drag and personify male Gender stereotypes as part of their performance A drag queen is a person usually a man who dresses (or "drags" in female clothes and make-up for special occasions and usually because they are performing and entertaining Genderqueer and intergender are catchall terms for gender identities other than man and woman Intersexuality is the state of a living thing of a gonochoristic species whose Sex chromosomes, Genitalia, and/or Secondary sex characteristics Questioning is a term that can refer to a person who is questioning their Gender, Sexual identity or Sexual orientation. The terms third gender and third sex describe individuals who are considered to be neither women nor men as well as the social category present in those societies who recognize This article deals with the history of the word 'transvestite' LGBT history refers to the History of Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and Transgender peoples and cultures around the world dating back Gynephilia (or gynophilia) (From Greek gunē, "women" + -philia, "love" is the romantic and/or sexual attraction to adult Transsexual people are those who establish a permanent identity with the Gender opposite to that which they were assigned at birth Transgender is a complex topic where consensual and precise definitions have not yet been reached IMPORTANT!!!! Please note If you add a movie to this list please add it to the List of lesbian gay bisexual or transgender-related films by year article as well The people on this list have been selected because their fame or notoriety is in some way due Gender identity (or core gender identity) is a person's own sense of Identification as Male or Female. An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual Transsexualism is considered a taboo subject in many parts of the world and has become more widely known in Western nations in the late 20th century due to the sexual revolution, but remains a highly controversial topic. A taboo is a strong Social prohibition (or ban) against words objects actions or discussions that are considered undesirable or offensive by a group culture The sexual revolution refers to the well-documented changes in social thought and codes of behaviour related to sexuality throughout the Western world that continues to evolve Negativism and discrimination about transsexualism may stem from religious beliefs or cultural norms. However, many cultures around the world and throughout time have not only held a place for transsexuals within their societies but even culturally sanction them, e. g. the so-called two-spirit people in native American tribes[1]. Two-Spirit (also two spirit or twospirit) people are Native Americans who fulfill one of many mixed Gender roles found traditionally among many
Gender dysphoria
Many transsexual people agree with the idea proposed by Harry Benjamin, that gender is hard-wired in the brain before birth. Harry Benjamin ( January 12 1885 – August 24 1986) was a German-born endocrinologist widely known for his clinical work with Transsexualism As such, many transsexual people believe that being transsexual is instead an intersex condition, a congenital birth issue unseen by others due to its location in the brain: a mis-match in the sex of a person between that of the brain and that of the body. The main symptom of this condition is a unique type of depression, anxiety or even psychological pain: Gender Dysphoria. Commonly, transsexual people assert that their brain-based inner perception of their sexual self, their identity, is who they really are, and so change their physical sex in an effort to be on the outside as they feel they are on the inside. If untreated, it can lead to mental and emotional problems, and sometimes suicide.
Most transsexual men and women desire to establish a permanent social role as a member of the gender with which they identify. A transman or transguy (often referred to as FTM) is short for Transsexual or Transgender man - a person who was naturally born or physically A transwoman (also spelled trans woman or trans-woman) is a male-to-female transsexual and the term transwoman is preferred by many such A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioural norms associated particularly with Males or Females in a given social group or system Gender comprises a range of differences between men and women extending from the biological to the social Many transsexual people also desire various types of medical alterations to their bodies. These physical alterations are collectively referred to as sex reassignment therapy and often include hormone replacement therapy and surgery. Sex reassignment therapy (SRT is an Umbrella term for all medical procedures regarding sex reassignment of both Transgender and Intersexual people The entire process of switching from one physical sex and social gender presentation to the other is often referred to as transition, and usually takes several years.
To obtain sex reassignment therapy, transsexual people are usually required to receive psychological therapy and a diagnosis of gender identity disorder in accordance with the Standards of Care (SOC) as issued by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (formerly and until 2006 the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association). These are guidelines as the medical community struggles in how to deal with the treatment, and the nature of the treatment population changes, and are not obligatory. Some doctors may waive the psychotherapy requirement as an unnecessary expense in an emotionally mature and stable individual, or require only a psychological evaluation. A psychological evaluation or mental examination is an Examination into a person's Mental health by a mental health professional such as a Psychologist The intentions of the standard are to prevent people from transitioning when such a transition would be inappropriate (as a dramatic example, a person seeking to transition in order to veil their identity from police), or ill-advised (e. g. , a strong crossdresser, who still identifies themselves as their assigned gender), and other cases where if a transition were undertaken, it would be expected to have strongly negative consequences for the patient. Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular Society.
These standards are open to the criticism of being ineffective, or being too strict, discouraging genuinely transsexual people from seeking treatment. It is claimed that Meta-reviews of post-operative transsexuals prior to 1991 reveal a rate of serious regrets of less than 1% for transsexual men and less than 2% for transsexual women, while studies published after 1991 have reported a decrease in the rates for both, likely due to improved psychological and surgical treatments and increasing acceptance from society. [2]While such studies lend support for existing protocols concerning care of transsexuals, post-operative follow-up research is considered to be lacking. However a note on a report in the UK Guardian Newspaper states:
There is no conclusive evidence that sex change operations improve the lives of transsexuals, with many people remaining severely distressed and even suicidal after the operation, according to a medical review conducted exclusively for Guardian Weekend tomorrow.
The review of more than 100 international medical studies of post-operative transsexuals by the University of Birmingham's aggressive research intelligence facility (Arif) found no robust scientific evidence that gender reassignment surgery is clinically effective. [3]
Against the statistic above indicating that 1% to 2% of post-operative persons have serious regrets, the Report itself states:
Paradoxically, a growing number of post-operative transsexuals are scathing about their medical care. International research suggests that 3-18% of them come to regret switching gender. [4]
For both men and women, medical treatment typically begins with hormone replacement therapy. A transman or transguy (often referred to as FTM) is short for Transsexual or Transgender man - a person who was naturally born or physically A transwoman (also spelled trans woman or trans-woman) is a male-to-female transsexual and the term transwoman is preferred by many such Transwomen are usually required to live as members of their target sex for at least one year prior to genital surgery (so-called Real-Life Test or Real-Life Experience), although this time may be longer if the psychotherapist has concerns about the transsexual person's readiness. Transmen must generally wait two to three years after beginning testosterone treatment in order to allow for sufficient clitoral growth. However, some transsexuals, especially among men, may not wish to have this surgery. A transman or transguy (often referred to as FTM) is short for Transsexual or Transgender man - a person who was naturally born or physically Others can spend years or even decades saving up enough money to pay for it. Some women may have only orchiectomy and forego vaginoplasty. A transwoman (also spelled trans woman or trans-woman) is a male-to-female transsexual and the term transwoman is preferred by many such There are many reasons why some transsexuals opt out of genital surgery. Among these are cost (female-to-male (FTM) surgery can cost up to $80,000), surgical risks, (including genital nerve damage), and acceptance of a certain amount of physical deformity.
For female-to-male (FTM) mastectomy and chest reconstruction, the requirement is only either 3 months of psychological therapy or the same amount of time of Real-Life-Test. The latter may be impossible for transmen with large breasts, and while binding smaller breasts is partially effective, this can cause many health issues if done over a long period of time. Many transsexuals find these requirements to be unjust as cisnatal men and women are not required to undergo any psychological evaluation or wait times to undergo chest reconstructive surgery. Cisgender (ˈsɪsdʒɛndə˞ is an adjective used in the context of Gender issues and Counselling to refer to a type of Gender identity formed by a match However, an 18 month requirement for transwomen to have breast augmentation is typically to allow enough time for breast development due to hormones. Breast augmentation before the breasts have finished developing can result in poor shape.
Currently, the causes of transsexualism are unknown, and estimates of prevalence vary substantially. It is commonly believed that it is a multifactorial condition, having many and different causes, some of which may include a naturally occurring variation in fetal sex differentiation and development. Causes may include some medications or hormones given to pregnant mothers, such as diethylstilbestrol. Diethylstilbestrol ( DES) is a drug, an orally active synthetic nonsteroidal Estrogen that was first synthesized in 1938 According to a medical advisory bulletin from Gender. org (Sep. 2002), as many as 25% of the FTM population has polycystic ovarian syndrome, a condition known to cause hormonal fluctuations.
Defining transsexualism
Transsexualism (also known as transsexuality) is a complex condition that is defined differently by different people. Many terms have been proposed through the years to describe transsexual people and the processes they go through. As with any terms used by a group, or to refer to a particular group, some of these terms are controversial, or have become controversial, not only to society at large, but even among the transsexual community.
The definition of "transsexuality" is somewhat debated. One common definition is that a transsexual is a person who believes that his or her body does not reflect his or her true 'inner' identification of physical sex or gender. Another common definition is that a transsexual is a person who has had or plans to have medical or surgical treatments that alter his or her body to better reflect what the individual believes is his or her true gender. The first definition allows greater freedom for individuals to self-identify as a transsexual. The latter defines the term based on actual or planned operative status and makes it more an external label than a term of self-definition.
The two terms of sex and gender have become popularly used as one concept, which blurs distinction, but they have different meanings. Physical sex refers more to one's biology and anatomy (that is, male or female) where gender is a more socio-cultural term of how a person presents or is taken (that is more at man or woman, or "like" a male or female" (see Milton Diamond, Ph. An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual Gender comprises a range of differences between men and women extending from the biological to the social D. 2001 or U. S. S. C. Justice Antonin Scalia saying "The word gender has acquired the new and useful connotation of cultural or attitudinal characteristics (as opposed to physical characteristics) distinctive to the sexes. That is to say, gender is to sex as feminine is to female and masculine is to male. ")
When genital surgery is undertaken it is commonly referred to as sex reassignment surgery or genital reconstructive surgery or even gender reassignment surgery by some health care providers and community members. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change operation is a term for the Surgical procedures by which a person's physical An older term, sex change surgery may be seen as disrespectful.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders accepts the expression of desire to be of the opposite sex, or assertion that one is of the sex opposite from the one with which they were assigned at birth, as sufficient for being transsexual. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' ( DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association [5] The ICD-10 states in a similar way that transsexualism is defined by, "the desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to make his, or her body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex through surgery and hormone treatment. The International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (most commonly known by the abbreviation ICD) provides codes to classify Diseases " In contrast, transgenderists do not identify as being of, or desiring to be the opposite sex, but as being of or wanting to be another gender. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives
Transsexualism has been variously described as a trait, disease, behavior, desire, mental illness, perversion, paraphilia, political identity, and lifestyle. A disease is an abnormal condition of an organism that impairs bodily functions and can be deadly Behavior or behaviour (see spelling differences) refers to the actions or Reactions of an object or Organism, usually Motivation is the reason or reasons for engaging in a particular behavior especially Human behavior as studied in Philosophy, Conflict, Economics Mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as Perversion is a concept describing those types of Human behavior that are perceived to be a serious deviation from what is considered to be orthodox or normal Politics Politics is the process by which groups of people make decisions The term lifestyle was originally coined by Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler in 1929 The term perversion is often used in a derogatory manner (especially by Western religions). People may consider the use of such labels offensive whether they are or are not transsexual, or involved with Western religions, themselves.
Transsexualism is often included within the broader term transgender, which is generally considered an umbrella term for people who do not conform to typical accepted gender roles, for example cross-dressers, drag queens, and people who identify as genderqueer. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioural norms associated particularly with Males or Females in a given social group or system Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular Society. A drag queen is a person usually a man who dresses (or "drags" in female clothes and make-up for special occasions and usually because they are performing and entertaining Genderqueer and intergender are catchall terms for gender identities other than man and woman However, some transsexuals object to this inclusion. Historically the reason that transsexuals rejected associations with the transgender or broader LGBT community is largely that the medical community in the 1950s through the late 1980s encouraged (and in many ways required) this rejection of such a grouping in order to be a 'good transsexual' who would thus be allowed to access medical and surgical care. The animosity that is present today is no longer fed by this same kind of pressure from the medical community (indeed, today many gender therapists actively encourage their clients to explore support within the broader community. )
However, where some of the beliefs of modern day transsexual people that they are not transgender, is reflective of this historical division (Denny 176), other transsexual people state that someone choosing to retain their former physical sex (no SRS) is very different from someone who needs to be of "the other sex", that the groups have different issues and concerns and are not doing the same things. The latter view is rather contested, with opponents pointing out that merely having or not having some medical procedures hardly can have such far-reaching consequences as to put those who have them and those who have not into such distinctive categories.
Regardless of definition, transsexualism should not be confused with cross dressing or with the behaviour of drag queens and drag kings, which can be described as transgender but not transsexual. Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular Society. A drag queen is a person usually a man who dresses (or "drags" in female clothes and make-up for special occasions and usually because they are performing and entertaining Drag kings are mostly female Performance artists who dress in masculine drag and personify male Gender stereotypes as part of their performance Also, transvestic fetishism usually has little, if anything, to do with transsexualism. Transvestic fetishism is having a sexual or erotic interest in Cross-dressing. As a general rule, transsexual people tend to dress and behave in a manner consistent with the gender they identify with, crossdressers tend to dress (and sometimes behave) in a manner consistent with stereotypical ideals of the opposite gender as opposed to the real-life behavior of that gender, and "drag queens" or "drag kings" tend to dress and behave in a flamboyant manner which parodies rather than emulates the opposite gender.
Gender terminology for transsexual people
Transsexual itself is most respectfully used as an adjective. In other words, one who wishes to be respectful would refer, as this article does, to "transsexual people," "transsexual men," or "transsexual CEOs," but would not use phrases like, "Transsexuals prefer pistachio to rocky road. " This more respectful usage appears to have resulted as a response to cumulative dehumanization. The idea appears to be that if used only as an adjective, transsexual will inevitably be paired with words such as "people," "women," and "men" in ways that help to reemphasize transsexual humanity and increase sympathy.
Transsexual people almost universally prefer to be referred to by the gender pronouns and terms associated with their target gender. For example, a transsexual man is a person who was assigned the female sex at birth on the basis of his genitals, but despite that assignment identifies as a man and is transitioning or has transitioned to a male gender role and has or will have a masculine body. A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute Transsexual people are sometimes referred to with "assigned-to-target" sex terms such as "female-to-male" for a transsexual man or "male-to-female" for a transsexual woman. These terms may be abbreviated as "M2F", "F2M", "MTF", "F to M", etc. These terms are particularly helpful in preventing confusion, because to some people the term "transsexual woman" is a female transitioning to become a male, and to others a male transitioning to become a female. When the terms transmen and transwomen are used though, it is typical for them to be used to refer to the gender that the person identifies with, regardless of their appearance or state of transition. A transman or transguy (often referred to as FTM) is short for Transsexual or Transgender man - a person who was naturally born or physically A transwoman (also spelled trans woman or trans-woman) is a male-to-female transsexual and the term transwoman is preferred by many such
Transsexual people are often considered as part of the LGBT community, and although many do identify with this community, others do not, or prefer not to use the terms at all. LGBT (also GLBT) is an initialism referring collectively to Lesbian, Gay, bisexual, and Transgender / transsexual Transsexual people typically feel it important for people to understand that transsexualism neither depends upon, nor is related to, sexual orientation. Sexual orientation is believed to refer to "an enduring pattern of emotional romantic and/or sexual attractions to men women or both sexes Transsexual men and women exhibit a range of sexual orientations just as non-transsexual (some times referred to as Cisgender) people do, and they will almost always use terms for their sexual orientation that relate to the sex with which they identify. Cisgender (ˈsɪsdʒɛndə˞ is an adjective used in the context of Gender issues and Counselling to refer to a type of Gender identity formed by a match For example, someone assigned to the male sex but who identifies as a woman, and who is attracted solely to men, will identify as heterosexual, not gay. Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation In the English language, gay is an Adjective that in modern usage refers to Homosexuality. Likewise, someone who was assigned to the female sex, identifies as a man, and prefers male partners will identify as gay, not heterosexual. Transsexual people, like other people, can also be bisexual or asexual as well. Bisexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of both sexes or to a bisexual orientation Asexuality is a Sexual orientation that describes individuals who do not experience Sexual attraction.
Older medical texts often referred to transsexual people as members of their original sex by referring to a male-to-female transsexual as a "male transsexual". They also described sexual orientation in relation to the person's assigned sex, not their gender of identity; in other words, referring to a male-to-female transsexual who is attracted to men as a "homosexual male transsexual. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. " This usage is considered by many to be scientifically inaccurate and clinically insensitive today. As such someone who would have been referred to as a "homosexual male transsexual" would now be called and most likely identify herself as a heterosexual transsexual woman. Heterosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the opposite sex or to a heterosexual orientation Although the original usage is dwindling, some medical textbooks still refer to transsexual people as members of their assigned sex, but now many use "assigned-to-target" terms.
Alternative terminology
- See also: Classification of transsexuals
The transsexual community typically use the short form "trans", or simply "T" as a substitution for the full word "transsexual", e. The classification of transsexuals and people who experience various types of Gender dysphoria has been attempted by many researchers and clinicians g. TS, trans guy, trans dyke, T-folk, trans folk. Some may even use terms that have become controversial to some, such as tranny and/or trans, despite others considering these terms to be offensive. Those who do use these terms claim that they are diminishing the power of the term as an insult, just as some members of the gay and African-American communities have embraced slurs directed at them. Others feel that the terms are insulting or inaccurate regardless of the context. Some feel that such words are problematic because they do not differentiate between transsexual people, and people who are merely "playing" with gender.
Some individuals may prefer to spell transsexual with only one s, thus writing transexual. They will typically assert that they are attempting to divorce the word from the realm of psychiatry and medicine and place it in the realm of identity. This trend is most common in the United States, and is almost never used in the United Kingdom. The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located [6]
Some prefer the term transsexed over transsexual, as they believe the term sexual found in transsexual is misleading and implies that transsexualism is a sexual orientation. Another justification made for this preference is that they feel it more closely parallels with the term intersex, which is considered by them to be important as more transsexual groups are welcoming them because they feel both groups have much in common. Intersexuality is the state of a living thing of a gonochoristic species whose Sex chromosomes, Genitalia, and/or Secondary sex characteristics It is, by some definitions, possible to be both intersexed and transsexed. Other attempts to avoid the misleading -sexual have been the increasing acceptance of transgender or trans* and in some areas, transidentity.
Some transsexual people may also prefer transgendered over transsexual, because this minority sees the issue to be about gender rather than sexuality. (Note that this distinction, violating norms of gender vs. violating norms of sex, is precisely why crossdressers, as one of many examples, are classified as transgender rather than transsexual. ) This subset of transsexual people make a parallel with intergender, whose issue is about being between (inter) the genders rather than "intersexual". It is often assumed, particularly by transsexual people, that transsexualism is a subset of intersex. Intersexuality is the state of a living thing of a gonochoristic species whose Sex chromosomes, Genitalia, and/or Secondary sex characteristics "Intersex" previously referred only to those who are physiologically intersexed, e. g. , with genitals that do not look classically male or female. (Despite the fact that human genitals show an extremely wide variation in general, intersexed people typically have genitalia that frustrate attempts to assign them within a binary sex system. ) However, since sex in humans is composed of many different attributes, such as genes, chromosomes, regulatory proteins, hormones, hormone receptors, body morphology, brain sex, and gender identity, any variation among any of those attributes could fall under the rubric of "intersex. History See also History of genetics The existence of genes was first suggested by Gregor Mendel (1822-1884 who in the 1860s studied inheritance A chromosome is an organized structure of DNA and Protein that is found in cells. Proteins are large Organic compounds made of Amino acids arranged in a linear chain and joined together by Peptide bonds between the Carboxyl Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body A Hormone receptor is a Receptor protein on the surface of a cell or in its interior that binds to a specific Hormone. Gender identity (or core gender identity) is a person's own sense of Identification as Male or Female. " Transsexualism, in this view, simply becomes a form of being neurologically intersexed that was mistakenly categorized outside of the rubric of intersex because of the historical lack of proof for a specific etiology. (See below for research of physiological causes of transsexualism).
Harry Benjamin agreed with German sexologist Magnus Hirschfeld that transsexuals were a form of neurological intersex. Harry Benjamin ( January 12 1885 – August 24 1986) was a German-born endocrinologist widely known for his clinical work with Transsexualism Germany, officially the Federal Republic of Germany ( ˈbʊndəsʁepuˌbliːk ˈdɔʏtʃlant is a Country in Central Europe. Sexology is the study of sexual interests behavior and function Magnus Hirschfeld ( May 14, 1868 - May 14, 1935) was a German- Jewish physician sex researcher, and early Gay rights [7] Hirschfeld coined the term "Transvestite" in his seminal work on the matter, Die Transvestitien. This article deals with the history of the word 'transvestite' In this work, he describes what is now known as transvestic fetishism as well as transsexuals. [8] In 1930, he supervised the first genital reassignment surgery to be reported in detail in a peer-reviewed journal on Lili Elbe of Denmark. Lili Elbe (1882 - 1931 was one of the first identifiable recipient of male to female Sex reassignment surgery. The Kingdom of Denmark ( ˈd̥ænmɑɡ̊ (archaic ˈd̥anmɑːɡ̊ commonly known as Denmark, is a country in the Scandinavian region of northern Europe
The German term “Transsexualismus” was introduced by Hirschfeld in 1923. [9] The neo-Latin term “psychopathia transexualis” and English “transexual” (sic) were introduced by D. O. Cauldwell in 1949,[10] who subsequently also used the term “trans-sexual” in 1950. [11] Cauldwell appears to be the first to use the term in direct reference to those who desired a change of physiological sex. [12] (In 1969, Benjamin claimed to have been the first to use the term “transsexual” in a public lecture, which he gave in December 1953. [13]) This term continues to be used by the public and medical profession alike. [8] It was included for the first time in the DSM-III in 1980 and again in the DSM-III-R in 1987, where it was located under Disorders Usually First Evident in Infancy, Childhood or Adolescence. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' ( DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association Year 1980 ( MCMLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link displays the 1980 Gregorian calendar) The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' ( DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association Year 1987 ( MCMLXXXVII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link displays 1987 Gregorian calendar)
The term "Gender Dysphoria" and "Gender Identity Disorder" were not used until the 1970s[8] when Laub and Fisk[14][15] published several works on transsexualism using these terms. "Transsexualism" was replaced in the DSM-IV by "Gender Identity Disorder in Adolescents and Adults".
Some people prefer that transsexualism be referred to as Harry Benjamin's Syndrome[16] as it follows the naming conventions of intersex conditions. This term is named for Harry Benjamin, a pioneer in sex reassignment and research on transsexual people, whose work of the 50's and 60's, which culminated in The Transsexual Phenomenon in 1966. Harry Benjamin ( January 12 1885 – August 24 1986) was a German-born endocrinologist widely known for his clinical work with Transsexualism Many transsexual people who prefer this term assert that scientific research has strongly suggested that their condition is biological rather than psychological in nature. They also feel that 'trans' is misleading, as they believe that their gender was fixed in their brains, and has never changed. Thus that nothing about their steps in correcting themselves is actually "trans" at all, but rather they are simply taking steps to assert what they feel that they are already. A small number of people who are post operative and living in their chosen role prefer to call themselves either a neo-woman or neo-man, thus omitting references in the term 'transsexual' to sexuality or being in between (trans).
While the above gives a fairly comprehensive view of terminology, it is important to note that some people may feel that both 'trans' and 'sexual', are misleading, and others may take objections to terminology that are unique to their perspective. While a large variety of other terms exist from those presented here, they have not been excluded with bias, although almost all of them are somewhat controversial.
Prevalence
There are no reliable statistics on the prevalence of transsexualism. The DSM-IV (1994) quotes prevalence of roughly 1 in 30,000 assigned males and 1 in 100,000 assigned females seek sex reassignment surgery in the USA. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change operation is a term for the Surgical procedures by which a person's physical The most reliable population based estimate of the incidence occurrence is from the Amsterdam Gender Dysphoria Clinic[17] The data, spanning more than four decades in which the clinic has treated roughly 95% of Dutch transsexuals, gives figures of 1:10,000 assigned males and 1:30,000 assigned females.
In September 2007 however, Olyslager and Conway presented a paper[18] at the WPATH 20th International Symposium demonstrating that the data from this and similar studies actually implies much higher prevalence rates, with minimum lower bounds of 1:4,500 assigned males and 1:8,000 assigned females across a number of countries worldwide. They also present other evidence suggesting the actual prevalence might be as high as 1:500 births overall.
Other data presented in the paper implies that the U. S. population of assigned males having already undergone reassignment surgery by the top three U. S. SRS surgeons alone is enough to account for the entire transsexual population implied by the 1:10,000 prevalence number. This of course ignores all other U. S. SRS surgeons, the popularity among U. S. transsexuals of obtaining their surgery in other countries such as Thailand where the cost may be less prohibitive, and the high proportion of transsexuals who have not yet had reassignment surgery or have not yet even sought help for their condition, making that figure (1:10,000) clearly untenable.
Causes of transsexualism
Many psychological causes for transsexualism have been proposed, while research has been presented to suggest that the cause of transsexualism has its roots in biology. The etiology of transsexualism, meaning the cause or causes of Transsexualism, is an area of interest for many transsexual people Physicians Psychologists There remains no agreement, however, as to the cause of transsexualism.
Some transsexual people and professionals feel that research into causes of transsexualism assumes at face value the legitimacy of a normative gender identity, and/or that transsexualism is contrary to normal development, and could be considered a disease, or syndrome, which transsexual people may find stigmatizing. This subset usually considers such research to be unnecessary, and wonder if such studies might possibly be causing more harm than good for transsexual people.
Meanwhile, other transsexual individuals and professionals believe that transsexualism is, in fact, a syndrome with a physiological basis as a form of intersexuality. Intersexuality is the state of a living thing of a gonochoristic species whose Sex chromosomes, Genitalia, and/or Secondary sex characteristics Those with this viewpoint generally support research as to the cause, believing that it will verify the theory of a biological origin and thereby reduce social stigma by demonstrating that it is not a delusion, a political statement, or a paraphilia. Note stigma has a role to play in the development of and adherence to both viewpoints. See the transfeminism article's section on GID for an insight to this. Transfeminism as a noun is a category of feminism most often known for the application of Transgender discourses to feminist discourses and of feminist beliefs
Studies indicate that transsexualism is connected with a difference in the human brain called the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis. In one study, male-to-female transsexuals and cisgendered women were shown to have brains that were similar to each other in the BSTc area of the brain. Both heterosexual and homosexual men showed male brain structuring in this area. [19]
Psychological treatment
Psychological techniques that attempt to alter gender identity to one considered appropriate for the person's assigned sex have typically been shown to be ineffective. The internationally accepted and followed Standards of Care note that sometimes the only reasonable and effective course of treatment for transsexual people is to go through sex reassignment therapy. [20][21]
The need for treatment is emphasized by the high rate of mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and various addictions, as well as a higher suicide rate among untreated transsexual people than in the general population. Mental health is a term used to describe either a level of cognitive or Emotional wellbeing or an absence of a Mental disorder. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Anxiety is a physiological and psychological state characterized by Cognitive, Somatic, Emotional and Behavioral components The term " addiction " is used in many contexts to describe an obsession compulsion or excessive Physical dependence or psychological dependence such as [22] Many of these problems, in the majority of cases, disappear or decrease significantly after a change of gender role and/or physical characteristics. [23]
Many transgender and transsexual activists, and many caregivers, point out that these problems usually are not related to the gender identity issues themselves, but to problems that arise from dealing with those issues and social problems related to them. Also, many feel that those problems are much more likely to be diagnosed in transsexual people than in the general population, because transsexual people are usually required to visit a mental health professional to obtain approval for hormones and sex reassignment surgery. This exposes the transsexual community to a higher level of evaluation for mental health issues than the general populace.
A growing number of transsexual people are resenting or even refusing psychological treatment which is mandated by the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care, because they believe that gender dysphoria itself is untreatable by psychological means, and that they have no other problems that need treatment. The Standards of care for gender identity disorders are non-binding protocols outlining the usual treatment for individuals who wish to undergo hormonal or surgical transition to the Unfortunately, this can often cause them significant problems when they attempt to obtain physical treatment as health professionals expect such therapy to be occurring concurrently with physical treatment.
Therapists' records reveal that many transsexual people do not believe they need psychological counseling, but rather they will acquiesce to legal and medical expectations in order to gain rights which are thusly granted through the medical/psychological hierarchy. (Brown 103) Legal needs such as a change of sex on legal documents, and medical needs, such as sex reassignment surgery, are usually impossible to obtain without a doctor and/or therapist's approval. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change operation is a term for the Surgical procedures by which a person's physical Because of this, many transsexual people feel coerced into affirming pre-ordained symptoms of self-loathing, impotence, and sexual-preference, in order to overcome simple legal and medical hurdles. (Brown 107) Transsexual people who do not submit to this medical hierarchy typically face the option of remaining invisible, with no legal rights and possibly with identification documents incongruent with gender presentation.
Diagnosing transsexualism
The current diagnosis for transsexual people who present themselves for psychological treatment is "gender identity disorder" (leaving out those who have sexual identity disorders without gender concerns). Diagnosis is the identification by Process of elimination, of the nature of anything Gender identity disorder (GID is the formal diagnosis used by Psychologists and Physicians to describe persons who experience significant gender dysphoria (discontent As the DSM has changed its terminology, the diagnosis of "transsexualism" has become unused in recent years. This diagnostic label is often necessary to obtain sex reassignment therapy. However, some people diagnosed with gender identity disorder have no desire for sex reassignment therapy at all, particularly not genital reassignment surgery, and/or are not appropriate candidates for such treatment. While some feel that formal diagnosis helps to destigmatize transsexualism, others feel that it only adds stigma, essentially feeling that such a diagnosis is equivalent to saying something really is wrong with them. (Brown 105) Again, see Transfeminism's section on GID. Transfeminism as a noun is a category of feminism most often known for the application of Transgender discourses to feminist discourses and of feminist beliefs
Some people who desire sex reassignment therapy do not have gender identity disorder, as the term is usually defined, and desire to transition for other reasons. This can include homosexual people who are unable to accept their homosexuality (or which were, up until the 1970s, encouraged by caretakers to change their gender role, including SRS), cross-dressers who feel more comfortable dressed as members of the opposite gender and may become confused (although, it may be important to realize that many transsexual women do go through a period where they self-identify as cross-dressers), and people with certain psychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia, borderline personality disorder, dissociative identity disorder, and Munchausen syndrome. Homosexuality refers to sexual behavior with or attraction to people of the same sex or to a Homosexual orientation. Cross-dressing is the act of wearing clothing commonly associated with another gender within a particular Society. Schizophrenia ( from the Greek roots schizein (σχίζειν "to split" and phrēn Borderline personality disorder ( BPD) is a psychiatric diagnosis in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders ( DSM-IV Personality Dissociative Identity Disorder ( DID) as defined by the American Psychiatric Association 's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM Munchausen syndrome is a Psychiatric disorder in which those affected fake disease illness or psychological trauma in order to draw attention or sympathy to themselves (Brown 106-107) Most professionals believe that sex reassignment therapy is not appropriate for such individuals. (Brown 107) If SRS is performed in such cases, the result is usually expected to be very negative for the individual, since it, unlike with patients with GID, typically does not alleviate issues for them, but rather leaves them with an intolerable body. [24].
However, some transsexual people may suffer from co-morbid psychiatric conditions unrelated to their gender dysphoria. In Medicine, comorbidity (literally "additional Morbidity " is either * The presence of one or more disorders (or diseases in addition to The DSM-IV itself states that in rare instances, gender identity disorder may co-exist with schizophrenia, and that psychiatric disorders are generally not considered contraindications to sex reassignment therapy, that is unless they are the primary cause of the patient's gender dysphoria. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders' ( DSM) is published by the American Psychiatric Association (Brown 108) Despite this permissiveness, the process of psychological treatment is usually much more complicated for transsexual people with co-morbid psychiatric conditions.
Some transsexual people have pressured the American Psychiatric Association to remove Gender Identity Disorder from the DSM. The American Psychiatric Association (APA is the main Professional organization of Psychiatrists and trainee psychiatrists in the United States, and the Many of these people feel that at least some mental health professionals are being insensitive by labeling transsexualism as "a disease", rather than as an inborn trait. [25] Furthermore, many people express that some psychologists and psychiatrists in viewing transsexualism as "a disease" have sought to develop specific models of transsexualism, which they feel exclude many transsexual people, such as Ray Blanchard's model. Ray Milton Blanchard (born 9 October 1945) is an American-Canadian Sexologist, best known for his research studies on Pedophilia
Andrea James in an article rejecting terminology and disease-models of transsexuality, has proposed the terms "interest in feminization" and "interest in masculinization" to refer to a desire for sex reassignment therapy, regardless of whether the person with the desire is transsexual. Andrea Jean James (born January 16, 1967) is an American film consultant Actress, LGBT rights activist, and transsexual [26] Although she herself admitted that there are numerous difficulties and issues with this terminology that she herself could easily list, she hasn't advanced this terminology as a finalized terminology, but rather a start towards finding terminology that avoids the traditional issues surrounding transsexuality which describe it as a "disease" or a "deviant" condition. [26] Critics of her terminology would point out that she has swung the pendulum too far in the other direction, now equating transsexuality to a "life-style choice", which often offends those transsexuals who feel that their condition has a biological origin. Andrea herself agreed with this position that transsexuality is not a choice, but she was rather strong in rejecting any assertion that it should be classified as a disease rather than a part of typical human variance. [26] This strident desire to divorce transsexual people from medical diagnoses or use such diagnoses to deflect fault from the transsexual person for various undesired side effects of coming out or transitioning as a transsexual person is best explained through sympathetic reasoning, such as in the article on transfeminism. Transfeminism as a noun is a category of feminism most often known for the application of Transgender discourses to feminist discourses and of feminist beliefs
Other people, under the position that transsexualism is a physical condition and not a psychological issue, assert that sex reassignment therapy should be given if requested, and may even align with those who feel that all body modification should be offered on demand. Body modification (or body alteration) is the permanent or semi-permanent deliberate altering of the human body for non-medical reasons such as sexual enhancement (Brown 103)
Sex reassignment therapy
Sex reassignment therapy (SRT) is an umbrella term for all medical procedures regarding sex reassignment of both transgender and intersexual people. Sex reassignment therapy (SRT is an Umbrella term for all medical procedures regarding sex reassignment of both Transgender and Intersexual people Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives Intersexuality is the state of a living thing of a gonochoristic species whose Sex chromosomes, Genitalia, and/or Secondary sex characteristics Sometimes SRT is also called gender reassignment, even though many people consider this term inaccurate as SRT alters physical sexual characteristics to more accurately reflect the individual's psychological/social gender identity, rather than vice versa as is implied by the term "gender reassignment. "
Sex reassignment therapy can consist of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to modify secondary sex characteristics, sex reassignment surgery to alter primary sex characteristics, and permanent hair removal for transwomen. Secondary sex characteristics are traits that distinguish the two Sexes of a species but that are not directly part of the Reproductive system. Sex reassignment surgery (SRS gender reassignment surgery, or sex-change operation is a term for the Surgical procedures by which a person's physical A sex organ, or primary sexual characteristic, as narrowly defined is any of the anatomical parts of the body which are involved in sexual reproduction and constitute Hair removal describes any method of removing Hair, especially from the human body A transwoman (also spelled trans woman or trans-woman) is a male-to-female transsexual and the term transwoman is preferred by many such
In addition to undergoing medical procedures, transsexual people who go through sex reassignment therapy usually change their social gender roles, legal names and legal sex designation. A gender role is defined as a set of perceived behavioural norms associated particularly with Males or Females in a given social group or system Legal name is often the Name which an individual is called at birth or which appears on their Birth certificate (see Birth name) or The entire process of change from one gender presentation to another is known as transition.
Legal and social aspects
Many Western societies have procedures whereby an individual can change their name, and sometimes, their legal gender, to reflect their gender identity (see Legal aspects of transsexualism). Name change is a basic Legal act that is recognized in practically all legal systems to allow an individual the opportunity to adopt a Name other than the name given Gender identity (or core gender identity) is a person's own sense of Identification as Male or Female. Transsexual people are those who establish a permanent identity with the Gender opposite to that which they were assigned at birth Laws regarding changes to the legal status of transsexuals are different from country to country. Within the US, some state jurisdictions do allow amendments or complete replacement of the original birth certificates. Some jurisdictions may even seal earlier records against all but court orders in order to protect the transsexual's privacy.
In many other countries, it is still not possible to change birth records or other legal documents relating to ones gender status. Since many governments are revising the legal status of post-operative transsexuals, there are many individuals pioneering changes to these laws, such as Estelle Asmodelle whose book documents her struggle to change the Australian birth certificate and passport laws, although there are other individuals who are were instrumental in changing laws and thus attaining more acceptance for transsexual people in general. Estelle Asmodelle (born 22 April 1964 previously commonly known as Estelle Maria Croot, is an Australian model, Belly dancer, Writer
Medical treatment for transsexual and transgender people is also available in most Western countries. However, transsexual and transgender people challenge the "normative" gender roles of many cultures and often face considerable hatred and prejudice. The film Boys Don't Cry chronicles the case of Brandon Teena, a transsexual man who was raped and murdered after his status was discovered. Boys Don't Cry is a 1999 independent Drama film based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena, a transgender who Brandon Teena, (born Teena Renae Brandon December 12, 1972 - December 31, 1993 in Lincoln, Nebraska) was a The project Remembering Our Dead, founded by Gwendolyn Ann Smith, archives numerous cases of transsexual and transgender people being murdered. [27] In the United States, November 20 has been set aside as the "Day of Remembrance" for all murdered transgender people. Events 284 - Diocletian was chosen as Roman Emperor. 762 - Bögü Khan of the Uyghurs, [28]
Some people who have switched their gender role enter into traditional social institutions such as marriage and the role of parenting. NOTICE TO WOULD-BE ROMEOS ************** Parenting is the process of raising and educating a Child from birth, or before until Adulthood In the case of humans it is usually They sometimes adopt or provide foster care for children, as complete sex reassignment therapy inevitably results in infertility. Adoption is the act of legally placing a child with a Parent or parents other than those to whom they were born Foster care is a system by which a certified stand-in "parent(s" cares for minor Children or young peoples who have been removed from their birth parents Female infertility|Male infertility Infertility primarily refers to the biological inability of a Man or a Woman to contribute to conception. Sometimes, they adopt children who are also transsexual or transgender and help them live according to their gender identity. Some transsexual people have children from before transition. Some of these children continue living with their transitioning/transitioned parent, or retain close contact with them. A recent study shows that this does not harm the development of these children in any way. [29]
The style guides of many media outlets prescribe that a journalist who writes about a transsexual person should use the name and pronouns used by that person. Family members and friends, who are often confused about pronoun usage or the definitions of sex, are frequently instructed in proper pronoun usage, either by the transsexual person or by professionals or other persons familiar with pronoun usage as it relates to transsexual people. An organism's sex is defined by the gametes it produces males produce male gametes (spermatozoa or Sperm) while females produce female gametes (ova or Egg cells; individual Sometimes, transsexual people have to correct their friends and family members many times before they begin to use the proper pronouns consistently.
Coming out
Employment issues
Transsexual people have historically had difficulty maintaining employment. Most transsexual people find it necessary to remain employed during transition in order to cover the costs of living and transition. However, employment discrimination against trans people is rampant and many of them are fired when they come out or are involuntarily outed at work. Employment discrimination refers to discriminatory employment practices such as bias in hiring promotion job assignment termination and compensation and various types of In the late twentieth century outing became a common term for taking someone "out of The closet "—that is publicising that someone is Gay. [30] Transsexual people must decide whether to transition on-the-job[31], or to find a new job when they make their social transition. The transsexual community usually regards this as a personal decision, though those who are fired during transition will have to find new jobs. Finding employment is often a challenge, especially for those in mid-transition.
Legal policies regarding name and gender changes in many countries make it difficult for pre-op transsexual people to conceal their trans status from their employers. [32] Because the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care require a one year RLT prior to SRS, some feel this creates a Catch 22 situation which makes it difficult for transpeople to remain employed or obtain SRS. Catch-22 is a satirical, historical Novel by the American author Joseph Heller, first published in 1961
In many countries, laws are providing increasing protection from workplace discrimination to transpeople, and an increasing number of companies are including "gender identity" in their non-discrimination policies. [33] However, these laws and policies often have gaps, and they are not always fully implemented and enforced. California has strigent anti-discrimination laws to protect transsexual persons in the workplace and specifically prohibits employers from terminating or refusing to hire persons who are discovered to be transsexual. California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Unlike most discrimination policies discrimination between, which is the discernment of qualities and recognition of the differences focused here discrimination against is Member states of the European Union provide employment protection as part of gender discrimination protections following the European Court of Justice decisions in P v S and Cornwall County Council[34]
Stealth
After transsexual men and women are living full-time as members of their target gender, they may wish to blend in with other members of their new sex, and will avoid revealing their past. The European Union ( EU) is a political and economic union of twenty-seven member states, located primarily in This article refers to the European Union court not the European Court of Human Rights of the Council of Europe The Court of Justice They do this believing that it will provide greater peace and security on the other side of a stressful and potentially dangerous transition, and/or because they wish to be seen only as members of their target sex, not as transsexuals.
This behaviour, known as stealth, is recognized by most people in the transsexual community as an individual decision that one must make. Some, however, within and outside the transsexual community, feel that one should be upfront about his or her past, and that stealth living would be dishonest. Some draw a parallel with a perceived need for lesbian and gay people to "come out", and may perceive a failure to do so as betrayal of a greater community, seeing hope for advancement of civil rights and public image in the visibility of greater numbers. Closeted Coming out (that is " coming out of the closet " describes the voluntary public announcement of one's Sexual orientation and/or Gender identity However, most people within the community understand that revealing one's transsexual history is a deeply personal choice. Moreover, this is part of an individual's medical history, and as such should be his or hers alone to disclose. The medical history or Anamnesis of a Patient is information gained by a Physician or other healthcare professional by asking specific questions
Several examples also exist of people who have been denied medical treatment upon discovery of their trans status, whether it was revealed by the patient or inadvertently discovered by the doctors. For example, Leslie Feinberg was once turned away from a hospital emergency room where he had sought treatment for encephalitis. Leslie Feinberg (born September 1, 1949) is a Transgender activist speaker and Author. Encephalitis is an acute Inflammation of the Brain, commonly caused by a viral Infection. [35](Feinberg 2) Like Tipton, Feinberg was presenting as a man but had female genital anatomy. He nearly died after being denied treatment. Feinberg's case demonstrates one of the many dangers of actually being discovered. Additionally, Tyra Hunter died after being denied care by paramedics and emergency room physicians after she was injured in an automobile accident. Tyra Hunter (circa 1970 - August 7, 1995) was a 24 year old Transsexual woman who died after being injured as a passenger in a Car accident. A paramedic is a medical professional usually a member of the emergency medical service, who primarily provides Pre-hospital advanced medical and
The equating of "coming out" (whereby a transsexual person who has hidden their true gender identity while maintaining their originally assigned gender role, reveals their true self) with honesty or social activism has been countered by the explanation that, because of prejudice, sensationalism, and the triggering of unconscious personal feelings and emotions, knowledge of someone's transsexual past can prevent the average person from being able to see the transitioned person's true self. Closeted Coming out (that is " coming out of the closet " describes the voluntary public announcement of one's Sexual orientation and/or Gender identity
Regrets and detransitions
After transitioning, transsexual people sometimes regret their transition, or even choose to detransition to their original sex. However, every recent study done on the number of detransitions states that their number is well below 1%, and that the reasons for detransitioning are very diverse. [2]
In a 2001 study of 232 MTF patients who underwent GRS with Dr. Toby Meltzer, none of the patients reported complete regret and only 6% reported partial or occasional regrets. Toby R Meltzer (born September 19, 1957) is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon who currently practices in Scottsdale Arizona. [36] Minister and former transgender Jerry Leach, in association with Exodus International, includes stories from regretful trans patients as part of his "sexual addiction" ministry website. Exodus International is a nonprofit interdenominational Christian organization that promotes "the message of Freedom from Homosexuality through the power of [37]
These cases are often cited as reasons for the lengthy triadic process outlined in the Standards of Care, which specifies a treatment process combining psychological, hormonal, and surgical care. The Standards of care for gender identity disorders are non-binding protocols outlining the usual treatment for individuals who wish to undergo hormonal or surgical transition to the While many have criticized this process as being too slow for some, it is argued that without the safeguards within the Standards of Care, the incidence of unsuccessful surgical transitions would be much higher. This is also questioned by many critics, especially with regard to particular demands of some caregivers. The article above states that in some of these cases, transitioning could have been prevented if some demands made by caregivers, or demands perceived as coming from the caregivers, had been less rigid; particularly, if the patients had not felt that talking about any problems or doubts would jeopardize their further treatment. An unwavering demand for medical treatment and the absolute conviction of "doing the right thing" is often seen as a necessity for the diagnosis of transsexualism, and therefore the prerequisite for any further treatment; consequently, further treatment has been denied to people who uttered any doubts or even questions.
Critics claim that when patients cannot talk about problems or doubts, but have to present themselves as having neither, the patients, anxious to get treatment they perceive at this point to be absolutely necessary, will face these problems or doubts after transitioning, when dealing with them may be much more difficult, and this will often lead to social problems, depression, anxiety, or other problems. Major depressive disorder, also known as major depression, unipolar depression, unipolar disorder, clinical depression, or simply depression Anxiety is a physiological and psychological state characterized by Cognitive, Somatic, Emotional and Behavioral components They believe that, in some cases, this may lead to a retransitioning. While there is no scientific study on the question, many trans*-organizations and groups claim that patients who feel less pressure to conform to any particular stereotype will have more satisfactory outcomes after transition. A stereotype (from Greek: stereo + týpos = "solid impression" is a generalized perception of first impressions behaviors presumed by a group This does not preclude any screening for mental problems which might lead to pseudo-transsexualism, nor supportive psychological therapy, if necessary. Mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as
Additionally, some people detransition after SRS because their desire was to undergo SRS and continue living in the gender role assigned to them at birth. [38] However, they transition temporarily in order to satisfy the requirement of a real-life test.
Depictions of transsexualism in the media
Although many transsexual people are modest about their bodies, and are found in all walks of life and professions, transsexual women are commonly featured in pornographic works. Standards of modesty (also called demureness or reticence) are aspects of the Culture of a Country or people at a given point in time Pornography or porn is the explicit depiction of Sexual subject matter with the sole intention of sexually exciting the viewer When depicted without having undergone vaginoplasty, they are usually referred to as "shemales". Vaginoplasty is any surgical procedure whose purpose is to treat Vaginal structural defects affect aesthetic considerations or to partially or totally construct or Shemale (sometimes she-male) refers to a natal male who has partially undergone transition to female has breasts but still has male Genitals The term has been used While some pre-operative transwomen call themselves and others like them "shemales," the term is regarded as offensive by many transsexual people. [39]
Films depicting transgender issues include The World According to Garp and The Crying Game. For the film see The World According to Garp (film. For other uses of 'GARP' see GARP. The Crying Game is a 1992 film written and directed by Neil Jordan. The film Different for Girls is notable for its depiction of a transsexual woman who meets up with, and forms a romantic relationship with, her former best friend from her all-male boarding school. For the Joe Jackson song "It's Different for Girls" see I'm the Man (Joe Jackson album. Ma Vie en Rose portrays a six-year-old child who is gender variant. Ma vie en rose (English translation My Life in Pink) is a 1997 French film directed by Alain Berliner. Gender variance is a term that refers to those expressions of Gender ( Masculinity and Femininity) that do not conform to the dominant Gender norms
Two notable films depict transphobic violence based on true events: Soldier's Girl (about the relationship between Barry Winchell and Calpernia Addams, and Winchell's subsequent murder) and Boys Don't Cry (about Brandon Teena's murder). Soldier's Girl is a 2003 Dramatic film produced by Showtime. It is based on a true story the relationship between Barry Winchell Barry Winchell ( 31 August 1977 – 6 July 1999) was an Infantry Soldier in the United States Army, whose murder Boys Don't Cry is a 1999 independent Drama film based on the real-life story of Brandon Teena, a transgender who Brandon Teena, (born Teena Renae Brandon December 12, 1972 - December 31, 1993 in Lincoln, Nebraska) was a
Transsexual people have also been depicted in some popular television shows. In Just Shoot Me!, David Spade's character meets up with his childhood male friend, who has transitioned to living as a woman. Just Shoot Me! is an Emmy and Golden Globe -nominated American Television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on David Wayne Spade (born July 22, 1964) is an Emmy nominated American Actor, Comedian, Television personality After initially being frightened, he eventually forms sexual attraction to his friend, but is scorned, as he is 'not her type'. In an episode of Becker Dr. Becker gets an out-of-town visit from an old friend who turns out to have undergone SRS, it plays out very similar to the situations in Just Shoot Me!. Just Shoot Me! is an Emmy and Golden Globe -nominated American Television sitcom that aired for seven seasons on In a 1980s episode of The Love Boat, McKenzie Phillips portrays a transwoman who is eventually accepted as a friend by her old high school classmate, series regular Fred Grandy. The Love Boat (simply Love Boat in its final season is an American Television series set on a Cruise ship, which Laura Mackenzie Phillips (born November 10 1959, in Alexandria Virginia) is an American actress and Singer best known Fredrick Lawrence "Fred" Grandy (born June 29, 1948) is a former actor best known for his role on the sitcom " The Love Boat " In the 80's. on "The Jefferson" one of George's navy buddies 'Eddie' shows up as a woman 'Edie' and is eventually accepted by George.
In the television show, "Ugly Betty", the character Alexis Meade (Portrayed by Rebecca Romijn), formerly Alex Meade, is a post-op transsexual who, before transitioning, faked her own death so she could start her life over as a woman. Ugly Betty is an American television Comedy-drama series starring America Ferrera in the title role along with Eric Mabius Alexis Meade (born Alexander Spencer Meade) is a Fictional character from the ABC dramedy series Ugly Betty. Rebecca Alie Romijn (born November 6 1972 is an American film and television Actress and former Fashion model. When Alexis realizes that she can get back at her father (who said he would rather see her dead than as a woman) she comes out of stealth and takes over their business after she tips the authorities off that her father killed Fey Sommers, a character whose death immediately preceded the start of the first series. A serious car accident later leaves Alexis with amnesia, and she forgets the entire previous two years - including her transition from male to female. Amnesia (from Greek) is a condition in which Memory is disturbed
The series Law & Order and Nip/Tuck have had transsexual characters, but they were played by non-transsexual women or professional cross-dressers. Law & Order is an American Police procedural and Legal drama television series created by Dick Wolf. Nip/Tuck is an American television Medical drama series created by Ryan Murphy for FX Networks. The series Without a Trace featured an episode in which a transsexual woman went missing and is almost killed by her ex-wife's husband after visiting her family, which she abandoned before transitioning. Without a Trace is an American television show set in New York City. CSI: Crime Scene Investigation had an episode dealing with a transsexual victim, Ch-Ch-Changes. CSI Crime Scene Investigation is an American crime drama Television series that trails the investigations of a team of Las Vegas [40] Many transsexual actresses and extras appeared on the episode, including Marci Bowers and Calpernia Addams. Marci L Bowers (b Mark Bowers in 1958 is an American born Gynecologist who currently operates a surgical practice in Trinidad Colorado [41] The transwoman victim, Wendy, was played by Sarah Buxton, a cisgender woman. Sarah Galbraith Buxton (born March 23, 1965) is an American Actress. Cisgender (ˈsɪsdʒɛndə˞ is an adjective used in the context of Gender issues and Counselling to refer to a type of Gender identity formed by a match Addams has appeared in numerous movies and television shows, including the 2005 movie Transamerica, in which Felicity Huffman portrays a pre-op transsexual woman. Transamerica is a 2005 independent dramedy produced by IFC Films and The Weinstein Company. Felicity Huffman (born December 9, 1962) is an Academy Award -nominated American Actress. [42]
Recently, Candis Cayne, a transsexual performer, appeared in CSI: NY as a transsexual character. Candis Cayne is an American actress and performer best known for her appearances in the New York City club scene CSI NY is an American Police procedural Television series, which premiered on September 22, 2004. Beginning in the fall 2007 TV season, Candis will also play a transsexual character (this time reoccurring) in the new ABC series, Dirty Sexy Money. Dirty Sexy Money is an American television series about Nick George portrayed by Peter Krause.
In fall 2005, the Sundance Channel aired a documentary series known as TransGeneration. Sundance Channel is a Cable television network devoted to airing independent feature films, World cinema, documentaries, Short TransGeneration is an eight episode documentary series depicting the lives of four Transgender college students during the 2004/2005 school year as they This series focused on four transsexual college students, including two transwomen and two transmen, in various stages of transition. [43] In February 2006, LOGO aired Beautiful Daughters, a documentary film about the first all-trans cast of The Vagina Monologues, which included Addams, Lynn Conway, Andrea James, and Leslie Townsend. Logo is an American digital Cable television channel owned by Viacom 's MTV Networks division The Vagina Monologues is an Obie Award -winning episodic play written by Eve Ensler which ran at the Off-Broadway Westside Theatre Lynn Conway (born 1938 is an American computer scientist, electrical engineer, Inventor, and Transsexual activist Andrea Jean James (born January 16, 1967) is an American film consultant Actress, LGBT rights activist, and transsexual [44]
Thomas Harris' Silence of the Lambs included a serial killer who considered himself a transsexual. The Silence of the Lambs is a horror / Crime Novel by Thomas Harris, starring his popular villain Dr After being turned down for sex reassignment surgery due to not meeting necessary psychological evaluations, he then harvested female bodies to make a feminine suit. While the movie and novel initially sparked more intolerance toward transsexuals, it has since diminished from public criticism of transsexuality. [45]
- See also: Transgender in film and television
Transsexualism in non-Western cultures
Transsexual people experience varying degrees of acceptance in non-Western societies. This article lists many films whose primary character(s are Transgender. Transgender (trænzˈdʒɛndɚ from ( Latin) derivatives
Before the Islamic Revolution in 1979, the issue of transsexualism in Iran had never been officially addressed by the government. The Iranian Revolution' (mostly known as the Islamic Revolution, Persian: انقلاب اسلامی Enghelābe Eslāmi was the Revolution that transformed For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Iran topics. Beginning in the mid-1980s, however, transsexual individuals have been officially recognized by the government and allowed to undergo sex reassignment surgery. (See Transsexuality in Iran)
This stance is also seen in countries such as Brazil and Thailand. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld The Kingdom of Thailand (ˈtaɪlænd ราชอาณาจักรไทย, râːtɕʰa-ʔaːnaːtɕɑ̀k-tʰɑj Thailand is thought to have the highest prevalence of transsexualism in the world. In Thailand, kathoey (who are often, but not always, transsexual) are accepted to a greater extent than in most countries, but are not completely free of societal stigma. Feminine transsexual kathoey are much more accepted than gay male kathoey; this may be seen as an example of heteronormativity. Heteronormativity is a term to describe the marginalization of Non-heterosexual lifestyles and the view that Heterosexuality is the normal Sexual orientation Due to the relative prevalence and acceptance of transsexualism in Thailand, there are many accomplished Thai surgeons who specialize in sex reassignment surgery. Thai surgeons are a popular option for Western transpeople seeking surgery, largely due to the lower cost of surgery in Thailand.
Transsexual people are gaining acceptance in much of Latin America, and sex reassignment surgeries are on the rise in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Argentina topics. |utc_offset = -2 to -4 |time_zone_DST = BRST |utc_offset_DST = -2 to -5 |cctld
Transsexual- (and tg-) related issues remain largely taboo in much of Africa and in developing countries around the world. A taboo is a strong Social prohibition (or ban) against words objects actions or discussions that are considered undesirable or offensive by a group culture Developing is a Short film directed by Marya Cohn, about the relationship between a girl and her single mother who has Breast cancer [46]
References
- ^ Two-Spirit People: Native American Gender Identity, Sexuality, and Spirituality 1997 U. Illinois, p. 100 Sabine Lang et al.
- ^ a b Kuiper, A. J; P. T. Cohen-Kettenis (September 1998). "Gender Role Reversal among Postoperative Transsexuals". International Journal of Transgenderism 2 (3).
- ^ Sex changes are not effective, say researchers | Society | Society Guardian
- ^ The Guardian Saturday July 31, 2004
- ^ BehaveNet - Gender Identity Disorder
- ^ Transexual, transsexual, and restricted Google searches - Language Log
- ^ Detail of conversation between Benjamin and Hirschfeld re. neurological intersex
- ^ a b c Pauly MD, Ira B. (28 May 1993). "Terminology and Classification of Gender Identity Disorders". Journal of Psychology & Human Sexuality 5 (4): 1-12. ISSN 0890-7064. An International Standard Serial Number ( ISSN) is a unique eight-digit number used to identify a print or electronic Periodical publication.
- ^ Hirschfeld, Magnus; “Die intersexuelle Konstitution” in Jarhbuch fuer sexuelle Zwischenstufen 1923. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar.
- ^ Cauldwell, David Oliver. “Psychopathia Transexualis”, Sexology: Sex Science Magazine vol. 16 (1949),
- ^ Cauldwell, David Oliver. Questions and Answers on the Sex Life and Sexual Problems of Trans-Sexuals: Trans-Sexuals Are Individuals of One Sex and Apparently Psychologically of the Opposite Sex. Trans-Sexuals Include Heterosexuals, Homosexuals, Bisexuals and Others. A Large Element of Transvestites Have Trans-Sexual Leanings. (1950) Haldeman-Julius Big Blue Book B-856.
- ^ Meyerowitz, Joanne Jay; How Sex Changed: A History of Transsexuality in the United States.
- ^ Benjamin, H. “Introduction”, Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment Green, R. and Money, J. (editors, 1969) Baltimore: The Johns Hopkins Press.
- ^ Laub, D. R. ; N. Fisk (April 1974). "A rehabilitation program for gender dysphoria syndrome by surgical sex change". Plast Reconstr Surg. 53 (4): 388-403. PMID 4592953.
- ^ Fisk, N. (1974). "Gender Dysphoria Syndrome. In D. Laub & P. Gandy (Eds. )". Proceedings of the Second Interdisciplinary Symposium on Gender Dysphoria Syndrome: 7-14.
- ^ Harry Benjamin's Syndrome - definition and aetiology - HBS group
- ^ van Kesteren, Paul J. M; Henk Asscheman, Jos A. J Megens, Louis J. G Gooren (1997). "Mortality and morbidity in transsexual subjects treated with cross-sex hormones". J. Clin. endocrinol. 47 (3): 337–343. Blackwell, Oxford, UK. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document. PMID 9373456.
- ^ Olyslager, Femke; Lynn Conway (2007). "On the Calculation of the Prevalence of Transsexualism".
- ^ Brain Study on Transsexuals - BSTc shows biological link
- ^ Endocrine Treatment of Transsexual People: A Review of Treatment Regimens, Outcomes, and Adverse Effects, Eva Moore, Amy Wisniewski and Adrian Dobs
- ^ Standards of Care, WPATH
- ^ Seattle and King County Health - Transgender Health
- ^ The International Transsexual Sisterhood - Study On Transsexuality
- ^ What can I do about this? Is there hope for me? - transsexual. org
- ^ Becoming a Visible Man p. 79, Vanderbilt University Press (May 2004), Jamison Green
- ^ a b c A defining moment in our history - TS Road Map
- ^ Remembering Our Dead - a memorial to transgender people who have been murdered
- ^ Don't Forget Transgender Day of Rememberance by Jamie Tyroler, January 18, 2008 Kansas City Camp
- ^ Green, MD JD FRCPsych, Richard (December 1998). "Transsexuals´ Children". International Journal of Transgenderism 2 (4).
- ^ Work transition for transsexual women - TS Road Map
- ^ Making a successful transition at work - helpful guide by Jessica McKinnon and sample transition-related documents
- ^ Weiss, Jillian Todd (2001). "The Gender Caste System: Identity, Privacy and Heteronormativity". Tulane Law School.
- ^ Workplace Discrimination: Gender Identity or Expression - Human Rights Campaign Foundation
- ^ Judgment of the Court of 30 April 1996. - P v S and Cornwall County Council. - Reference for a preliminary ruling: Industrial Tribunal, Truro - United Kingdom. - Equal treatment for men and women - Dismissal of a transsexual. - Case C-13/94 - European Court reports 1996 Page I-02143
- ^ Leslie Feinberg, Trans Liberation: Beyond Pink Or Blue pages 2-4; Beacon Press, 1998; ISBN 0807079510
- ^ Factors Associated with Satisfaction or Regret Following Male-to-Female SRS - Anne Lawrence, M. D. , Ph. D
- ^ Reality Resources Publications
- ^ Potential complications of vaginoplasty - TS Road Map
- ^ What's Offensive - discussion of offensive transsexual terminology
- ^ CSI: Crime Scene Investigation / Ch-Ch-Changes at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Calpernia Addams at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Transamerica at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ TransGeneration at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Beautiful Daughters - LOGO (TV channel) Documentary
- ^ Silence of the Lambs at the Internet Movie Database
- ^ Mukasa, Juliet V. Logo is an American digital Cable television channel owned by Viacom 's MTV Networks division (2006-10-23). Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 4004 BC - Creation of the world begins according to the calculations of Archbishop James Ussher 42 BC - "Transgender Human Rights Issues in Africa". . Retrieved on 2006-12-24. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 563 - The Byzantine church Hagia Sophia in Constantinople is dedicated for the second time after being destroyed by Earthquakes
Bibliography
- Burns, Christine: Why Phrasebook Diversity is not Enough (Press for Change)
- Brown, Mildred L. ; Chloe Ann Rounsley (1996). True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism - For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals. Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0787967024.
- Feinberg, Leslie (1999). Trans Liberation : Beyond Pink or Blue. Beacon Press. ISBN 978-0807079515.
- Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders, Sixth Version. - World Professional Association for Transgender Health (2001)
- Kruijver, Frank P. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health Inc M. ; Jiang-Ning Zhou, Chris W. Pool, Michel A. Hofman, Louis J. G. Gooren and Dick F. Swaab (2000). "Male-to-Female Transsexuals Have Female Neuron Numbers in a Limbic Nucleus". Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism 85 (5): 2034-2041. doi:. A digital object identifier ( DOI) is a permanent identifier given to an Electronic document.
- Schneider, Harald J. ; Johanna Pickel, Günter K. Stalla (2006). "Typical female 2nd-4th finger length (2D:4D) ratios in male-to-female transsexuals-possible implications for prenatal androgen exposure". International Society of Psychoneuroendocrinology 31 (2): 265-269. Elsevier, Oxford, UK. ISSN 0306-4530 PMID 16140461. An International Standard Serial Number ( ISSN) is a unique eight-digit number used to identify a print or electronic Periodical publication.
- Xavier, J. , Simmons, R. (2000) - The Washington transgender needs assessment survey, Washington, DC: The Administration for HIV and AIDS of the District of Columbia Government
- Rathus, Spencer A. ; Jeffery S. Nevid, Lois Fichner-Rathus (2002). Human Sexuality in a World of Diversity. Allyn & Bacon. ISBN 978-0205406159.
- Denny, Dallas, (2006); Transgender Communities in Transgender Rights.
See also
- List of transgender-related topics
- List of transgender-rights organizations
- List of LGBT-related organizations
- List of transgendered people
External links
- Basic TG/TS/IS Information - including Successful Transwomen and Successful Transmen
- FTM International - Female To Male International: practical and medical information
- FTM Australia - Comprehensive information for all men identified female at birth in Australia. Transgender is a complex topic where consensual and precise definitions have not yet been reached Groups that campaign for the rights of Transgender, Transvestite, Transsexual, This is a list of organizations of or related to lesbian gay bisexual and transgendered people or campaigning for the rights of LGBT people or of allies of LGBT people The people on this list have been selected because their fame or notoriety is in some way due For a topic outline on this subject see List of basic Australia topics.
- Hudson's FTM Resource Guide - Comprehensive information for female to male trans men and allies - USA-based
- Gender.org - The home of Gender Education & Advocacy, a nonprofit corporation using the web to provide education and advocacy for transsexual and transgender issues.
- Definition and Synopsis of the Etiology of Adult Gender Identity Disorder and Transsexualism - prepared by 24 internationally recognized experts, published by the Gender Identity Research and Education Society (GIRES)(See: http://www.gires.org.uk)
- How to Respect a Transsexual Person
- The International Journal of Transgenderism - The Official Journal of the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (formerly HBIGDA)
- Transsexuality - Jennifer Diane Reitz's Help & Support Site. The World Professional Association for Transgender Health Inc Jennifer Diane Reitz (born 1959 in Baker Oregon) is an American writer Webcomic author and Computer programmer, known for creating Home of the COGIATI gender test, a controversial assessment of gender identity and transsexuality.
- TransParentcy - Organization to support transgender parents and their advocates (lawyers, mental health professionals, friends, family) by providing information and resources to diffuse and/or disspell the myths about any adverse impact being transgendered/transsexual might have on ones children.
- Transsexual Road Map - practical and medical information for those interested in finding out more
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