Being Transgender and the Process of Gender Re-Assignment

Kaitlin Jones

What does it mean to be transgender and what does it entail?

What Does it Mean to Be Transgender?

• There are many ways to define the term ‘Transgender’.

• Transgender is the state of one’s gender identity or gender expression not matching one’s assigned sex.

• The term ‘transgender’ can be categorized in a number or ways:– Transsexual– Cross-dressing– Drag Queens/Drag Kings– Genderqueer

Transsexual

• To be transsexual is when someone desires gender reassignment surgery.

• A big misconception is that transsexualismcoincides with sexual orientation.

• Being transsexual may entail a lifetime of challenges with oneself and their community.

Cross-Dressing

• Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression.

• Those who cross-dress may not desire gender reassignment surgery.

• Cross-dressing is just a form of expressing one’s internal self through their external self.

Drag Queens/Drag Kings

• Drag queens are men who wear women clothing and perform as women in order to entertain at bars, clubs, parties, etc.

• Drag kings are women who wear mens clothing and perform as men in order to entertain at bars, clubs, parties, etc.

Genderqueer

• Genderqueer is a term given to people who recognize themselves outside of the gender binary.

• They identify themselves as one or more of the following:– Having two or more genders– Without a gender– Moving between genders or with fluctuating gender

identity (genderfluid)– Third gender or other-gendered; those who do not

place a name to their gender

Recognition

• Those who are transgender usually notice an abnormality within themselves at a very young age.

• It is normal for children to act outside their gender assignment.

• Since transgenderism is relatively rare, most children grow out of that stage of acting as the opposite gender.

Recognition

• For those who do not grow out of it, they begin to become very confused of who they are.

• As a child who is transgender grows older they may become very isolated with them selves and those around them.

• As an adolescent and an adult, it can lead to social anxiety, depression, and thoughts of suicide.

Counseling

• It is ideal that one who is struggling with their identity seeks out counseling to ensure safety and an overall well-being.

• Counseling is provided to allow those who are transgender become comfortable with themselves and who they are and to become comfortable with themselves within society.

Seeking Out Gender Reassignment Surgery

• For transgenders who seek gender reassignment surgery, it become a long process and can take several years.

• There are three phases after transgender diagnosis for those undergoing surgery:

– Hormone therapy

– Real-Life Experience, or Real-Life Test

– Surgery

Real-Life Experience

• The Real-Life Experience is a test for patients who are seeking gender reassignment surgery.

• When a patients begin hormone therapy, they are required to go out and live life as their desired gender.

– Change of name (if possible)

– Dress as desired gender

Gender Reassignment Surgery

• Before a person may undergo surgery, they must meet certain criteria to be eligible for surgery.– Be 18 years of age

– Understand what hormones can and cannot do medically and understand their social benefits and risks

– Have either a minimum of three months of psychotherapy or a documented three month real-life experience

– Show stable or improved mental health

– Demonstrate ability to take hormones responsibly

Post Gender Re-Assignment Surgery

• After surgery, many will face many challenges within society involving discrimination.

• Although one may have a tremendous support system, there will always be those who will never fully be able to recognize the process that those who are transgender undergo.– Internal struggles

– External struggles

– Process of counseling

– Process of gender reassignment surgery

Transgender Discrimination

• Transgenders, as well as many other minority groups, struggle with discrimination.

– Employment

– Housing

– Public accomidations

Real-Life Stories

• Diane Shroer

• Born male who never spoke of her internal struggle or life-long confusion.

Real-Life Stories

• Diane was known as David for most of her life.

• She joined the army to keep her focus and keep her mind off why she was not a girl.

• After 25 years of honorably serving the United States, she Retired as a full Army Colonel.

Real-Life Stories

• After retiring from the Army, she decided to acknowledge Diane and say goodbye to David.

• She then applied for a job at the Library of Congress and was selected as one of the top candidates for the job.

• The job offer was immediately revoked when she told them she wanted to begin work as Diane.

Works Cited

• "Transgender Before and After ." . N.p., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 26 May 2014. • "Sermons." : September 2012. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014. • "What To Know About Men's Clothing." Absolute Menswear. N.p., n.d. Web. 26

May 2014. • "Weekend mody i urody w Club TV - Moda i Ja Portal Nowoczesnej Kobiety." Moda

i Ja Portal Nowoczesnej Kobiety. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.• Grush, Loren. "Stress management therapy effectively prevents MS brain lesions."

Fox News. FOX News Network, 12 July 2012. Web. 26 May 2014.• "The Sanity Of A Mad Woman." The Sanity Of A Mad Woman. N.p., n.d. Web. 26

May 2014.• "White House not appealing transgender ruling - USATODAY.com." White House

not appealing transgender ruling - USATODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.• "Northern Illinois University." NIU alumna will discuss sex discrimination case. N.p.,

n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.• "USATODAY.com - Transgender employees see changes in colleagues, too."

USATODAY.com - Transgender employees see changes in colleagues, too. N.p., 10 June 2005. Web. 26 May 2014.

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