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Transgender is typcally used as an umbrella term that describes someone who doesn't adhere to the defining attributes society imposes on gender. Unlike sex that's biologically and chromosomally determined, gender is a social construct that places men and women into distinct categories, each with its own attributes such as clothing, hair style, mannerisms, walking, etc. Some people don't fit into this dichotomy and prefer to blend gender or, in the case of transsexuals, transform their bodies to match their internal gender identity. Once considered malleable, gender identity is now known to be hardwired before birth. Crossdressers: typically heterosexual males who express their feminine side, and sometimes get sexual satisfaction, by dressing in women's clothes. Crossdressing is not a disorder and cannot be 'cured.' Crossdressers don't take female hormones, except for experimentation, nor want sex change surgery. Drag queens: usually gay men who impersonate women and often perform in night clubs. They typically employ exaggerated mannerisms and garish makeup. Gender queer: those who exhibit attributes, in varying degrees, of both genders, or choose not to follow society's stereotypical gender expectations. Also see androgynous. Intersexed people, or hermaphrodites (an older term), are born with ambiguous genitals, or a combination of male and female genitalia, internal and/or external. In the past, the intersexed child would sometimes be surgically assigned, without their consent, in the hopes that they'd grow-up comfortable in their assigned gender. These 'assignment surgeries' have been largely unsuccessful as the individual would usually develop the gender identity opposite to the one in which they were raised. Transsexuality goes much deeper. A transsexual has a deep, core identity with the gender opposite of their born sex. The traits can express themselves very early in life, as young as three or four. Though the exact cause is unknown, evidence indicates it happens prenatally and is caused by a mix-up in fetal hormone balance at critical times in the fetus's development or could have genetic causes. A fetus's brain is female by default (we're all begin female). If testosterone is produced the brain develops male; if estrogen is produced it remains female. Just as in homosexuality, transsexuality is not a choice. Attempts to change the mind to match the body have failed. The only effective treatment for transsexuals is changing gender through hormone therapy and SRS. Before sex reassignment surgery can be approved an individual has to live and work full-time for one year in their chosen gender. Most surgeons require two referral letters from a MD, Ph.D., or other Masters level professional, before they will perform SRS. Transgender is not a new concept and has been demonstrated in various cultures throughout human history. The Iroquois Indians revered the transgender, or third sex, as a shawoman and mediator and the mahu, or feminine gay male, is well-accepted in Hawaiian culture. Gender identity and sexual orientation, often confused with each other, are separate and distinct. A transsexual woman isn't necessarily attracted to men and vice-versa. Do you have a transgender child? If you have a child who's transgender, or exhibiting signs of being transgender, the correct thing to do is accept who they are and don't punish nor try to change them. When old enough allow him or her to receive counseling from a therapist experienced in gender identity. Taking the child to a therapist who has no gender identity experience can do more harm than good. Transgender people are arguably the most discriminated against minority. Often fired from their jobs, rejected by family and friends and sometimes subjected to violence, even murder. Some states and cities have added gender identity to anti-discrimination laws, but in most states it's still legal to fire an employee for being transgender. |
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