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| Gender DysphoriaGender Dysphoria occurs when a person cannot identify with the gender identity society would expect given the sex of his or her body at birth. Gender dysphoria may be evident from early childhood or may become apparent at a later age. It is a serious condition that, if ignored, can put a person's life in danger.
Fortunately, the discomfort can often be resolved through a partial or complete gender transition. A "Transgendered" person may live in a way that is more congruent with her or his feelings and may undertake hormone therapy to feminise or masculinise their body.
In more severe cases, a "Transsexual" may be so uncomfortable with the sex of his or her body that the only viable solution is to change that body via surgery. Modern surgical techniques for male to female sex reassignment are very effective, although there are still significant problems with female to male procedures. In all cases such surgery is irreversible and will leave the patient infertile and in need of lifelong hormone replacement therapy in order to remain healthy.
Many women and men who have gone through a full sex reassignment are not comfortable with labels such as "transsexual" or "transgender" and prefer to be accepted as who they feel they are.
In the State of Victoria and the Commonwealth of Australia, people who have undergone sex reassignment surgery are recognised under law as being of their affirmed gender, and are may legally marry as such. Documents including passports and birth certificates can be changed - in many cases even where only partial surgery such as castration or hysterectomy has been completed.
Social acceptance has improved dramatically over the last decade, and continues to improve. It is possible to live, work, play competitive sports, get married, and experience every aspect of life in one's desired gender. There are transsexual women and men who work as doctors, computer programmers, clergy, airline pilots, teachers, lawyers and in every imaginable occupation and profession. Many have recently "come out of the closet" following improved legal recognition of our status.
Victorian Department of Education policies allow for transition in public schools, and many young girls and boys are now transitioning with parental support, getting better academic and social outcomes, and avoiding years of unnecessary suffering.
Further information about Gender Dysphoria, Transgenderism and Transsexualism may be found on Lynn Conway's website. |
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