What Transsexuality Is: Definition, Cause, and History

[Zorra]

Transsexuality, also termed 'Gender Dysphoria' is now reaching the point of being reasonably well understood, though many myths and general foolishness about the subject still abound. This document concerns the classic definition of transsexuality, as defined by Benjamin, Money, Green, and so forth. Intersexuality and transgenderism will not be addressed other than obliquely.

SUMMARY DEFINITION:
Gender Dysphoria, literally a misery with regard to gender, is the condition of being in a state of conflict between gender and physical sex.
A transsexual is a person in which the sex-related structures of the brain that define gender identity are exactly opposite the physical sex organs of the body.
Put even more simply, a transsexual is a mind that is literally, physically, trapped in a body of the opposite sex.
snip--
A transsexual person, born to all appearance within a given physical sex, is aware of being of a gender opposite to that physical sex. This conflict, between gender identity and physical sex, is almost always manifest from earliest awareness, and is the cause of enormous suffering. It is common for transsexuals to be aware of their condition at preschool ages.
snip--
A recent term in usage is "Transgenderism", essentially an empty word conjured up as a neutral label for any individual not conforming to common social rules of gender expression. The term was created to help unite very disparate individuals under a vague commonality of interest in gender, in order to provide a basis for mutual benefit and support within an often violently antagonistic society.

http://transsexual.org/What.html

There seems to be quite a bit of confusion and misundersanding and confusion about transsexuality that has been manifested since Chaz Bono, who is a transsexual man, has been in the spotlight recently.

The document at the link posted above is an attempt to explain transsexuality as simply and concisely as possible.

peace

[HappyMe]

1. Well, thanks.

Good information. I was using the wrong dang word. :blush:

[Zorra]

2. You and billions of other people, I wouldn't stress over it.

Transsexualism is an extremely misunderstood phenomenon.

[Zorra]

3. Wow. Someone unrecced the OP. To whoever did this:

Why don't you post why you unrec'd the OP?

[rbnyc]

10. I agree...I'd like to see why they unrecced.

I posted below, I'm not sure how I feel about some of this language*, largely because of things I learned in my years of activism with the Trans and Gender-Queer (self-identifying) communities in NYC. But I recommended the thread because I believe it was started in good faith, to promote understanding and acceptance of gender-different people and to start a productive discussion.

*I do respect the rights of those who created the language referenced in the OP to self-identify and use the language that feels right to them.

[gauguin57]

4. I've never liked the word "sex" used instead of "gender." So I'll continue to use "transgender."

Using "sex" on an application -- check male or female -- or using transsexual instead of transgendered sounds as if they're making it all about "sex." It's about gender -- which can be simple or complex -- not who you sleep with.

I know it's all just semantics, but I've just always preferred the term "gender" when referring to someone's male/female/something else essence.

So, I LIKE the "made up" word "transgendered."

But, if transgendered people decide they want to be called something else next year -- whatever they prefer, to give them respect and dignity -- that's what I'll call them. I don't care about being labeled "politically correct."

[xchrom]

5. recommend

[jwirr]

6. Thank you. I have known two people who were born with both male

and female reproductive organs and always get that mixed up with transgendersexuality.

[jaxx]

7. Very interesting article. Thanks.

My mom wondered if she had influence, looks like the answer is yes.

[rbnyc]

8. Thanks for this...

More resources here:

http://www.gaycenter.org/gip/services

(I used to work with this organization.)

I think that most in the LGBT activist community do accept the term transgender as an umbrella term.

My training in working with this community does make me a little uncomfortable with the term Gender Dysphoria as it is related to the term Gender Identity Disorder.

Gender Identity Disorder (GID)
A controversial DSM-IV diagnosis given to transgender and other gender-variant people. Because it labels people as "disordered," Gender Identity Disorder is often considered offensive. The diagnosis is frequently given to children who don't conform to expected gender norms in terms of dress, play or behavior. Such children are often subjected to intense psychotherapy, behavior modification and/or institutionalization. Replaces the outdated term "gender dysphoria."

Here's GIP's glossory of terms:

http://www.gaycenter.org/gip/transbasics/glossary

[Evasporque]

9. Thanks...my current problem and story

In the past five years since I have been transitioning attitudes have changed remarkably....we still have a long way to go...

I am hesitating starting a battle at work to remove the transsexualism exclusions to our health plan. It is scary and I feel alone.

I work at a major hospital whose doctors I see for HRT, blood tests, etc...and insurance has denied my visits...

I have racked up over 2000 dollars in 2 doctors visits and blood tests just to get hormones prescribed. I fear that the waves I make may force the hospital administration to stop the doctors from treating trans people. The hospital is a large multi-facility organization with a Medical School partnership...from religious roots (non-catholic). I have a letter ready to go to HR executives but am waiting to talk to a legal resource at my local LGBT center...

I can't go see my doctors now....they have denied all routine visits now as well...I fell down the stairs and injured my leg and they denied that as well because I am trans. I probably fell because of the side effects of the hormones...so they would surmise....
The efforts to remove Gender Identity Disorder from the DSM are a double edged sword...without a valid diagnosis then there is no coverage and all treatment will be out of pocket...transsexuals in general are vastly under employed and unemployed...compared the rest of society....we are one of the most vulnerable at risk groups in society.

But people still have no problem turning their backs on us. We just want to be...to live, work and play like anyone else...it is getting easier...but as I said more work needs to be done.

I get laughed at, followed and harassed on a weekly basis (that is up from daily) either I am appearing more female now after five years of hormones or people are getting use to trans people being visible in the community.

I have people ask me if I am a man or a woman frequently...I fear that day I walk to my car in a parking lot or street and am greeted by fists and boots...that is a real fear still...and I watch where I go after dark....and I rarely go out late anymore to avoid the bashers that cruise the fringes of the gay district where I frequent a few clubs...What I have now is better though...the long periods of denial and then the deep depression, reckless behavior and self loathing...and drinking...what was worse was the detachment I felt from myself...I simply did not seem real to myself...I use to look in the mirror when I was young and see someone else in the first few moments..then I would see myself and feel that draining feeling. I learned to minimize that feeling as well as my identity over the years out of self preservation. I created a male version of myself, a fictional character one my family was proud of...actually I was too...athlete, lover, husband, father...however as time went on I couldn't maintain the show and that stress eventually left me empty and ruined emotionally. I hit bottom some years ago...roaming the street at 4 a.m., drunk sobbing and thinking of suicide.

it was dark dark time...I don't know how I made it out...and am still finding my way. I lost a lot...many of my friends, some of my family, my marriage, but I still have gained many things..my partner, my new friends, my daughter's acceptance and I am lucky to be still rising in my career...life is better now...much better.

[Zorra]

11. I'm so glad that

your life is better now. Your story is a very similar to that of many other transsexual folks. My former therapist, (who is now the Director of the Kinsey Institute), once told me that being transsexual was one of the most difficult things anyone could ever have to work through.

She was right.

Hang in there, sweetie.
:hug: