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Gender Dysphoria
The following are details of a couple of books we recommend:
"Transexed and transgendered people--A guide" ISBN 0 9525107 7 4 Gendys Publications, B M Gendys, London WC1N 3XX. Paperback, please send cheque or postal order for £ 14.50 inc p&p.
This new edition is specifically for the existing and would be gender changer, for those who are variously intersexed, for those having gender difficulties amongst their children, and families facing the problems of having a transsexual in their families. There is a more comprehensive review here
"Transvestism & Cross Dressing--Current views" ISBN 0 9521357 6 0 edited by Jed Bland for the Beaumont Trust. The Beaumont Trust, BM Charity, London WC1N 3XX Please send cheque or postal order for £ 13.50 inc p&p.
A collection of articles by professional writers and participants on Labels & Definitions, In the Closet, The Medical Bit, Culture History and Law, Counselling & Support, Coming Out.
"My husband Betty--Love, Sex and Life with a Crossdresser" ISBN 1 56025 515 3 by Helen Boyd £ 6.99 from www.amazon.co.uk.
Although it's written by the wife of a Transgendered husband and cannot be recommended too highly to other wives/partners, it goes a lot further than that and is recommended it to anybody anywhere on the Male to Female 'spectrum' or outside looking in. Basically she has set out to find out everything she can about the Male to Female Transgendered / transvestite / crossdressing scene [all these terms are explained in the book]. She does this with incredible perception and honesty. Because of her perspective as the wife of a crossdresser, she takes no prisoners and never lets us off the hook. She covers all the issues to do with gender. She boldly wades into the issue of sexuality and never once tries to cloud it. At times she doesn't try to hide her exasperation and anger but she always lets us know when she is being subjective. For this reason it is imperative to read the book from cover to cover.
The following is a simplistic summary of Transgender and Gender Dysphoria:
Our best estimate is that
1 in 10 men have or will crossdress
Official estimates are 5000 UK post operative transsexuals (Gov. figures).
Most Transgender people are heterosexual
Transgender people can be normal parents with children
Most Transgender people are employed and live productively in society.
Most Transgender people do not cross-dress for any sexual purpose
Gender identity, whilst heavily influenced by socialisation, is believed to be finally fixed as late as 6 years of age.
Although the perceived cross-dressing phenomenon is mostly associated with males to females, transsexuality also affects females to males (FtM)
However, as women have greater dress and gender freedom in modern Society, there are few FtM TV/CDs and fewer FtMs entering the medical system.
Also FtM sex change genital (bottom) surgery is far more complex, less satisfactory (and more expensive) than MtF. Many trans-men limit themselves to 'top' surgery and hysterectomy.
TS Transsexual / Transperson / Transman / Transwoman. A person whose gender-identity is not congruent with their physical sexual characteristics and consequent birth assigned gender role.
As Gender Dysphoria is a self-diagnosed condition a transsexual is someone who thinks/feels they are a transsexual. That is someone who thinks/feels they have the opposite gender identity to their physical sexual characteristics. As it is these physical characteristics which are altered if surgery takes place and not the perceived gender identity then they are transsexuals in a descriptive sense and will always be so whether they identify as such or not.
However it would still be possible to self-identify as a transsexual i.e. think/feel their gender identity is the opposite to their physical sexual characteristics and, for whatever reason, live life without doing anything at all or live life in the gender identity they perceive themselves to be full-time or part-time but without surgery.
TV/CD Transvestite / Crossdresser. A person who feels compelled to put on the clothing normally worn by the opposite gender. - The two terms are not universally defined. Some do it for sexual thrill or purpose, others for stress relief.
GD Gender Dysphoria. The name applied by the medical fraternity for the condition experienced by a TS. (See DSM IV)
RG "Real Girl" (sometimes GG for Genetic Girl or BG for Biological Girl), used to differentiate those designated female at birth from Trans women.
TF Tranny-Fancier. Used to identify a person, normally a gay-male (but not always), who is sexually attracted to T*and pre-op TS women.
The Gender Spectrum
Trans people believe they may be anywhere on the spectrum
and they may move anywhere on the spectrum
There is no evidence linear progression from crossdressing on an infrequent basis, to a frequent basis, to becoming a transsexual. (see comment of crossdressing in cycles)
The Sexuality Matrix
Most Transvestites / Crossdressers are heterosexual
Some are bisexual or pan sexual
Some are gay
Some are asexual
Some consider themselves lesbian when "en femme"
Crossdressing can go in cycles, Denial, Expression, Guilt, Purging
Most Transvestites / Crossdressers cross dress in secret (in the closet)
A growing proportion go out to clubs and support groups
Some go out in "daylight", shopping, meeting friends etc
The more "out" the more the need to "pass" in public as the opposite gender
It is not against the law to dress as the opposite gender
It is not against the law to use toilets of the opposite gender and it's safer for a Transvestite / Crossdresser to use the ladies than the gents
A complaint could lead to a prosecution as behaviour likely to cause a Breach of the Peace
Most police forces now have transgender policies, codes of conduct and liaison officers. All hate crime should be reported to the police who should log the report. Anti Social Behaviour Orders can be used to protect Transpeople from abuse.
Transition:
Two Routes: NHS Gender Identity Clinic or Private Psychiatrist
See your GP--for details refer NHS Direct web site who will refer you for local psychiatrist examination, for agreement to refer you to an NHS Gender Identity Clinic (GIC).
Alternatively you can see a private psychiatrist, but you will than probably have to pay for all your subsequent treatment. http://www.transhealth.co.uk
'RLE' (Real Life Experience) to change name and all documents and live 'as a woman' in full time employment or education for a minimum of 12 months to 2 years. Also widely known as 'Transition'.
Prescription for hormones - normally through GP on instruction from GIC (need for regular blood, lipids and general health check-ups)
Two independent psychiatric reports/surgeons report.
The 'op' - SRS Sex Reassignment Surgery
Other physical factors (Not paid by NHS): Hair Removal, Voice, Facial Feminisation Surgery (FFS), Breast Augmentation
Gender Recognition Act:
Transsexuals now have the right to have new birth certificates.
Further information can be found at Department for Constitutional Affairs web site
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