Greetings all and welcome to yet another Transsexual Thursday where I continue to bring you the beauty of transsexuals to your attention as I continue my quest to help transsexuals gain the same respect, acceptance and equality as everybody else.
However before we get to this week's bevy of beauties some important and very welcome news.
Saturday 1st December is a day that will be remembered by the transgender community as the day that the American Psychiatric Association removed Gender Identity Disorder from it's list of mental disorders, replacing it with Gender Dysphoria.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
What is Gender Dysphoria? Gender Dysphoria is a general term for persons who have confusion or discomfort about their birth gender. Milder forms of gender dysphoria cause incomplete or occasional feelings of being the opposite sex. The most intense form of the condition, with complete gender reversal, is called transsexualism. A transsexual is a male or female who has a lifelong feeling of being trapped in the wrong body. The identification with the opposite sex is so strong and persistent that the transsexual feels the only way to acheive peace of mind is to change the body to match the mind. Some go through the process of living in the chosen role with the help of hormones, eventually leading to sex reassignment surgery. Others seek help to learn to live with their secret feelings with less guilt and shame.
What causes gender dysphoria?Although life experiences may effect the outward expression of gender behavior, there must be some underlying changes in the brain for transsexualism to occur. The precise cause of the condition is unknown. It is now generally accepted that some changes likely occur before birth, causing parts of the transsexual's brain to develop in the pattern opposite to that of his or her physical sex.
Do transsexuals have abnormal chromosomes or physical deformities? True transsexuals have normal XY (male) or XX (female) sex chromosomes appropriate for their physical gender. There is no laboratory test for transsexualism. Hermaphrodites and others with ambiguous sex characteristics at birth may or may not develop gender dysphoria. The vast majority of transsexuals, however, have no identifiable physical abnormality.
Is being transsexual the same as being a homosexual or a transvestite? No. Homosexuals are sexually attracted to members of their own sex but are content with their bodies and have no desire to change them. Gay people may occasionally think that changing their sex would help them feel more socially acceptable. With help, they can come to understand that self-acceptance does not come from a gender change.
Transvestites are men who are preoccupied with crossdressing in women's clothing largely for the purpose of sexual satisfaction. They are generally happy with themselves as men, but their desire to become women may increase temporarily under stressful life circumstances.
Transvestites are men who are preoccupied with crossdressing in women's clothing largely for the purpose of sexual satisfaction. They are generally happy with themselves as men, but their desire to become women may increase temporarily under stressful life circumstances.
Can a homosexual or transvestite "progress" to become a transsexual?Although some cases may appear to have such origins many transsexuals go through a period of transvestite or homosexual behaviour while exploring their true nature. Transsexualism often crystalizes with increasing age, not reaching its greatest intensity until age 40 or 50.
Can a person actually change sex? Not really. A person's chromosomes and reproductive organs cannot be changed to those of the opposite sex. With hormonal treatment and surgery, however, most transsexuals can achieve satisfactory physical appearance and sexual function.
Can a post-surgical transsexual bear or father children?No. Fertility is lost in the reassignment process.
How are prospective patients assessed for possible reassignment?Individuals who have been referred to a recognized gender dysphoria clinic must first be evaluated by a team of doctors and other professionals. A detailed history of gender development from childhood through puberty and thereafter is key to the evaluation. Medical and personal history is also considered, as well as life circumstances and general stability. Additional psychological assessment may be arranged to clarify unanswered questions. Care must be taken to ensure that he or she is a good candidate and that, above all, no harm is done.
If any alternatives to reassignment are considered possible, the clinic will actively pursue these options. It is often the case that individuals initially coming to clinics requesting reassignment discover that there are less drastic possibilities.
If any alternatives to reassignment are considered possible, the clinic will actively pursue these options. It is often the case that individuals initially coming to clinics requesting reassignment discover that there are less drastic possibilities.
Full article at:
http://transwirral.btck.co.uk/Gender%20Dysphoria
What this now means is that transsexuals will no longer be classed as suffering from a 'mental illness', a small yet significant step forward and certainly not before time.
Further reading can be found at
http://www.washingtonblade.com/2012/12/05/apa-declassifies-transgender-as-a-mental-disorder/
http://www.buzzfeed.com/stacylambe/american-psychiatric-association-removes-gender-i
http://www.gaystarnews.com/article/american-psychiatric-association-drops-gender-identity-disorder-manual041212
http://www.slate.com/articles/health_and_science/medical_examiner/2012/12/dsm_revision_and_sexual_identity_gender_identity_disorder_replaced_by_gender.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/chase-strangio/gender-identity-disorder-dsm_b_2247081.html
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