Trans

What does it mean to be transgendered / transsexual / transvestite?

Transgendered is a general term which means that someone’s identity (The way they feel) doesn’t match their biological gender (the body that they were born with). It is also called gender dysphoria. Many people feel the need to do something to reallign their biological gender with their sense of identity and these people are refered to as transsexuals (TS). This usually takes the form of hormone therapy and surgery (gender reassignment surgery).

Transvestism (TV) is also known as ‘cross-dressing’. Transvestites are people with the desire to adopt the clothes, appearance and behaviour normally associated with the opposite gender. In most cases, transvestites have no desire to actually become the opposite sex. One form of transvestisms is to ‘drag’ up in public for entertainment but many other people do it private.

A modern term taken to encompass all of these definitions is ‘Trans’.

Are Trans people gay?

Sexual identity and sexual orientation are separate entities. Trans people may be gay, lesbian, bisexual or straight – just like anyone else.

So why do Trans issues often get connected with lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) issues?

In many ways, LGB people and Trans people are subjected to similar ignorance and discrimination. LGB people are often viewed as ‘gender different’ in a similar way to Trans people. Also the LGB community has always showed a great openness towards bending traditional gender roles – such as drag kings and drag queens.

How do I know if I’m transgendered?

You may feel that your birth gender does not fit you, including feeling that you don’t quite fit any gender. You may feel uncomfortable with the gender-specific parts of your body and feel a deep need to have body parts of the other gender. You may simply feel you would be more truly yourself in another gender.

Don’t rush to label yourself or make decisions. You may find it useful to talk through your feelings with other trans people or a counsellor. Don’t go through it alone – see our links page for details of useful points of contact - click here

What is ‘gender reassignment’?

This is a process of long-term hormone treatment and surgery to allow transsexuals to have the physical appearance and some of the sexual functions of the opposite sex.

A psychiatrist, GP or social worker can refer people wanting to have gender reassignment surgery to a recognised gender identity clinic. An evaluation for treatment will be based on a detailed history of a person’s childhood development through to puberty and afterwards.

Gender reassignment is not the right solution for everyone and is not without its drawbacks. Some people choose to pursue less drastic possibilities, and may pursue their chosen lifestyle without surgical intervention.

I like to wear clothes of the opposite sex – what’s wrong with me?

Nothing. Cross-dressing has been going on for probably as long as clothes have been assigned to one gender or another. Indeed some statistics point to an incidence of around 1 cross-dresser for every 100 adult males.

Where can I go for help and support?

There are now more and more support groups for Trans people, and a regular drop-in has recently started in the Stoke-on-Trent area. For more information contact Trans-Shropshire on 01952 240099 (Tues, Wed & Thurs 10am – 1pm) or e-mail info@trans-shropshire.org.uk