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Transgender is an umbrella term that describes anyone who doesn't choose to adhere to the strict 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 dress, 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. Crossdressers are 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 reassignment surgery. Drag queens are usually gay men who impersonate women and often perform in night clubs; they typically employ exaggerated mannerisms and garish makeup. Gender-variants are people who exhibit attributes, in varying degrees, of both genders and 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. It occurs in 1 in 200 births. Once considered malleable, gender identity is now known to be hardwired before birth, as has been shown by the often disastrous results when an intersexed baby is surgically "assigned" to a gender shortly after birth then develops the opposite gender identity later in life. Transsexuality goes much deeper. The traits can express themselves very early in life, as young as three or four. A transsexual has a deep, core identity of the gender opposite to their born sex. 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 and / or could have genetic causes. A fetus's brain is female by default (we all begin as 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 cross-gender. Most surgeons require two referral letters from a MD, Ph.D., or other Masters level professional, before they will perform SRS. Some make a distinction between transgender and transsexual, in that a transgender person doesn't want sex reassignment surgery (SRS), whereas a transsexual does. Transgender is not a new concept and has been demonstrated in various cultures throughout history. The Iroquois Indians revered the transgender, or third sex, as a shawoman and mediator. 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 visa-versa. Society often has misconceptions about transgender people. Fundamentalist Christian groups are particularly misguided, claiming there's a homosexual or transgender "agenda." Nothing could be further from the truth (see heterosexual agenda). TV shows like Jerry Springer and transsexual, or shemale, porn sensationalize and contribute to misconceptions. Then there's author Michael Bailey supporters who've bought into Ray Blanchard's "autogynephilia" and "homosexual transsexual" theories that further cloud the subject. 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 or try to change them. When old enough allow him/her to receive treatment from a therapist experienced in gender identity, including hormone therapy if recommended. Taking the child to a psychiatrist, or psychologist, who has no gender identity experience often does more harm than good and will only serve to isolate the child. Transgender people are getting more mainstream coverage in the media, but are arguably the most discriminated against minority, often fired from their jobs, rejected by family and friends, 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 just for being transgender. More
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