Sex changes are not effective, say researchers

[HuckleB]

Sex changes are not effective, say researchers

http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,1272093,00.html

"There is no conclusive evidence that sex change operations improve the lives of transsexuals, with many people remaining severely distressed and even suicidal after the operation, according to a medical review conducted exclusively for Guardian Weekend tomorrow.

The review of more than 100 international medical studies of post-operative transsexuals by the University of Birmingham's aggressive research intelligence facility (Arif) found no robust scientific evidence that gender reassignment surgery is clinically effective.

The Guardian asked Arif to conduct the review after speaking to several people who regret changing gender or believe that the medical care they received failed to prepare them for their new lives. They explain why they are unhappy with their sex change and how they cope with the consequences in the Weekend magazine tomorrow (July 31).

Chris Hyde, the director of Arif, said: "There is a huge uncertainty over whether changing someone's sex is a good or a bad thing. While no doubt great care is taken to ensure that appropriate patients undergo gender reassignment, there's still a large number of people who have the surgery but remain traumatised - often to the point of committing suicide."

[Pale Blue Dot]

1. Crap! Back to the drawing board!

Can anyone lend me some glue? :evilgrin:

[Gregorian]

6. Please tell me you weren't female before the change.

But then, these things are a bit complicated.
Edit- hahaha. <<< Indicates sarcasm. :)

You know, I really need a job as one of these so-called researchers. Since I was a youngster, I actually knew that sex changes weren't effective. So who's the idiot who funded this research, I'd like to know.

[LibLabUK]

8. Sex changes everything... err.

"So who's the idiot who funded this research, I'd like to know."

The Guardian got Arif to conduct the literature review. I presume they also ponied up the cash for that too. I'd imagine the Urologists who do the surgeries did a large chunk of the actual research (which was being reviewed) in conjuction with the rest of the multidisciplinary team that they work with (psychiatrists, psychologists, clinical nurse specialists). I'd imagine that they fund their research in a number of ways... some of them may give their private patient fees to their research fund (happens in the UK a lot), some will have sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies (they occasionally like to sponsor studies), some may have come from government (in the UK I would expect NICE to have funded some research as the treatment involved is very expensive) and some will come from charities or support groups.

"Since I was a youngster, I actually knew that sex changes weren't effective."

Did you publish your research in a peer-reviewed journal, so that the rest of the medical world could benefit from your insight? :eyes:

[David Zephyr]

29. How Quickly the Face of Bigotry Reveals Itself!

A very good response, LibLabUK, to the post above.

It never ceases to amaze me how bigoted people, many times who masquerade as liberals, seem to perfunctorily lurch and reveal their secret prejudices when presented with any opportunity to do so, as in with the case of this very silly article which posits a single opinion that flies in the face of decades and decades of evidence to the contrary.

Of course, this is a beneficial thing because we then get to know where these people's hearts and minds are, even if they foolishly think otherwise.

Bigotry always reveals itself within the bigot's conversation, regardless of even the most clever of verbal disguise. Always.

[discordian]

14. Is this from experience?

You know, I really need a job as one of these so-called researchers. Since I was a youngster, I actually knew that sex changes weren't effective. So who's the idiot who funded this research, I'd like to know.

Are you speaking from experience, were you reassigned at birth due to gender ambiguity? Otherwise, your "knowledge" is just your opinion. Even if you were reassigned at birth, as negative as your experience might be, that experience is not reflective of the transgender desire to change gender.

My personal experience is that the GRS surgery is quite effective, if you have a good surgeon. I used Dr. Menard in Montreal, Quebec. He is one of the premiere GRS surgeons on the planet and does a rather fine job. While many of my secondary characteristics are still at the masuline end of the female spectrum, my psychological comfort with my physical self has improved greatly. I have little trouble passing in everyday life and have even managed some intimate contact in full light without my fellow participant being any the wiser.

I'd say there is no broad answer because of all the factors involved. The worst candidate could have the best surgeon and still hate their life or be euphoric and not care what anyone else thinks. As well, the perfect candidate could have a terrible surgeon and while they may be entirely passable and beautiful, be devastated that their genitalia is a mess. This is an unbelievably difficult process to undertake, the most mentally balanced and resourceful patients are still lucky if they complete the entire process within five years.

[Gregorian]

18. Ok, people! Is there no room for laughing around here?

Sorry if I offended you. I happen to think it's a funny subject. Sue me.

[nickinSTL]

19. funny subject

It's only a funny subject if you know nothing about it.

It isn't funny to the thousands of Americans who live with it.

[HereSince1628]

22. LBN is usually serious, frivality is usually in the lounge

with the cats and the yaks.

[Name removed]

31. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Zorra]

33. Why do you think it is a funny subject?

Just curious.

Please explain the reasons that you think it is a funny subject.

[tishaLA]

36. Only with Ann Coulter apparently

that's when transphobia is permissible on DU. Ann Coulter has a dick! Haha! Ann Coulter is a man! HAHA!

Some people are obviously unconcerned that those comments might be hurtful to transsexuals because they make fun of a conservative pig, but they never worry about how TG people might feel.

[nickinSTL]

38. coulter

I've always been disturbed by this, and have pointed it out a couple times.

Attack Coulter on her stupidity and her politics. Don't demean a whole segment of society to do it.

[AngryAmish]

67. Agreed

Transgendered people have a difficult lot in life. I do not know if the surgery is effective (this is a subject that I know very little about) or ineffective. But claiming a political opponent is wrong because they have a handicap/problem/condition/Idon'tknowwhattocallit
butIamtryingnottobeoffensive is wrong.

[jdj]

68. Not only because it's wrong, but because were SUPPOSED

to be LIBERALS and people who do this make the whole party look like a bunch of hypocrites. We're supposed to be the party fightin alongside the GBLT movement, not against it.

[Zidane]

46. Just like the lower-class

job bash circle jerk thread that was going on the other day. Apparently some people think it's quite amusing to degrade those working lower class jobs so long as they don't have them.

[bitchkitty]

65. Penis humor is generally only

funny to a boy who doesn't use his for anything but peeing.

[nickinSTL]

23. right

there are SO many factors that go into gender transition. Social, economic (it's REALLY Cheney-ing expensive), medical, psychological.

:hi: discordian!

I'm glad you had a good experience with Menard. I've heard both good and bad about him, I'm glad that you were one of the good.

(I should caveat that saying that it's been a while since I've checked on results from various surgeons, and lately what I've heard of Menard's GRS clinic has been positive)

[discordian]

34. Happy to answer any questions relating to my experiences...

Dr. Menard's technique for MTF GRS has improved greatly in the past five years. This is about the same time that he brought in another top notch plastic surgeon, Dr. Brassard, to work with him in his clinic. Dr. Brassard and Dr. Menard worked together to combine their knowledge and experience to improve the quality and results of their GRS procedures. Currently, in many people's opinions, they perform the best "one-step" GRS procedure in the world, with a super high quality of patient post-op care. By "one-step", I mean that they complete the entire operation in one surgery instead of having to have a second procedure, at a later date, to tidy things up.

[nickinSTL]

35. Interesting

I hadn't heard that Menard had improved so much. I'm glad to hear it.

Most of the people I know have gone to Dr. Meltzer. He does a 2 step op. Is Menard's cost still well below that of Meltzer?

[NashVegas]

64. "without my fellow participant being any the wiser."

What kind of meaningful contact can you have if you can't go to your fellow participant honestly? You're presenting a false map, oh discordian one. I wouldn't call that well-adjusted.

[discordian]

69. disclosure is dangerous

It was a spur of the moment situation and my past had no relation to the situation at the time. If I had chosen to reveal my status, it might have never happened. If I had been looking to find a meaningful relationship, then yes, it would be important to make sure the other person(s) were open-minded to it. As it was, I was mainly looking to make up for some lost time and to verify that everything really did work right. It's a dangerous precipice and I have to choose every step very carefully.

[Bowline]

71. ROFLMAO!

[nickinSTL]

2. It's a combination of things

A lot of transsexuals skip out on the therapy that is required. Many of them lie to their therapists to get through the process quickly, rather than dealing with the issues they need to deal with.

Many also have a delusional belief that once they've had surgery, all their problems will be solved. Surgery only fixes 1 problem. All the rest are still there, along with all of the added difficulties of adjusting to the new role.

For most MtoF transsexuals, they lose their families, friends, partners and jobs. When they find new jobs, they usually pay a great deal less than they had made previously.

They are also treated very much differently in the business world. They face the same kind of discrimination and assumptions as any woman, and more if their status as TS is known.

All of these and many more contribute to the 'failures' in these studies. If the transition is carefully managed and the expectations of the transsexual are realistic, the outcome is positive.

[psychopomp]

3. Interesting to note

that the American Psychiatric Association, in its "Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders," currently lists transsexuality (gender identity disorder), cross-dressing (transvestic fetishism), and BDSM (sado-masochism) as mental illnesses. It removed homosexuality from its list in 1973.

[David__77]

4. The problem is sociological not psychological.

I think that the problem is: are these individuals socially-recognized as members of the gender to which they were assigned surgically? If not, then has the gender question been resolved? I don't think so.

I admit I don't understand this issue. I think that it's problematic to call it "gender identity disorder." It implies bad things. I think there's nothing wrong with wanting to change one's biological sex, in itself. But I don't understand it.

[nickinSTL]

5. to some degree

Yes, a good part of transition difficulties is social acceptance in the new gender. This is particularly difficult for MtoF transsexuals, as facial and body hair, deep voice and other male characteristics are difficult to change (electrolysis or laser for the hair, voice training, plastic surgery) It's easier, generally for FtoM transsexuals, because those things that are so difficult to change in one direction, are created by taking male hormones. The breasts are the biggest obstacle, and once removed, most FtoMs are virtually indistinguishable in society.

I'd bet that the transsexuals in this study were exclusively MtoFs. FtoMs very likely have a MUCH higher success rate, mostly due to the social acceptance issues.

As for not understanding it, that's true of pretty much anyone who doesn't experience it. Gender is such a part of one's sense of self, that it's very difficult to imagine it being other than it is.

Gender identity disorder being in the DSM is a double edged sword. It stigmatizes the situation, but it also provides treatment guidelines. I have seen the effects of those guidelines not being followed, and it makes for some very unhappy people.

[Mr.Green93]

7. poor Ann

[Ganja Ninja]

25. She/He was the first person I thought of when I saw this thread.

My first instinct was also "Poor Ann" but after deeper reflection, TO HELL WITH ANN COULTER!

[Soaring_Eagle]

9. Confusion

must truly reign when someone undergoes a sex change operation.

The issue really is about what motivates people to have sex changes. And I can't honestly say that I know the answer.

I imagine these people feel like they belong in the other sex. I assume they are ridiculed for behaving as if they were of another sex. In some ways, it appears to me that a sex change operation is a means by which a person can legitimize their behavior. i.e. a man who acts as a woman might feel less pressure from society once he is transformed into a woman.

But people quickly learn that a sex change actually complicates matters. Because they still have many characteristics of the other sex, it becomes a case where they are ridiculed by one and all. People now accept homosexuality. But people do not accept these transformations. There clearly remains a stigma.

[nickinSTL]

12. But people quickly learn that a sex change actually complicates matters

Because they still have many characteristics of the other sex, it becomes a case where they are ridiculed by one and all

Really? On what do you base this?

I have personal experience of a considerable number of trans people, and although they do occasionally receive ridicule, once they have transitioned, and dealt with the social issues of 'passing', they are no longer ridiculed. Why? Because people no longer realize that they are trans.

"confusion must truly reign when someone undergoes a sex change operation"

Uh, no... trans-people aren't 'confused' at least by the time they undergo the operation, if they've gone through therapy and dealt honestly with their issues.

Transsexuals are quite clear that they feel themselves to be of the gender opposite that of the external genitalia.

Just because you don't understand it doesn't mean they must be confused.

"In some ways, it appears to me that a sex change operation is a means by which a person can legitimize their behavior. i.e. a man who acts as a woman might feel less pressure from society once he is transformed into a woman"

Again, no. If that were true, you'd have tons of effeminate homosexual men running out to have sex change operations. News flash: They don't.

Also, a LARGE percentage of MtoF transsexuals distinguish themselves in their pre-transition lives by ultra-masculine behavior. In an attempt to prove to themselves and the rest of the world that they are what they have been told they are, they try very hard to fit that image. It fails because it isn't who they are, but who they are expected to be.

[Name removed]

42. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[HereSince1628]

43. Really?

"I only responded to this because I'm trying to build up my posts so that I can post my own topic and discuss something that truly matters."

There are SO MANY things to respond to in order to build your count, that some choice seems to have been invoked...

Why is a person seeking/or post-surgery more "moronic" than a person seeking to claim intellectual normality (superiority?) by putting such a "moron" down?

[nickinSTL]

44. Arrrgh!

I'm trying really hard to remain civil.

You don't have the slightest clue what you're talking about.

You feel that way, that's your business. We're having a decent discussion about a serious issue. Hmm. I've never ignored anyone before. Maybe it's time to try it.

[Zorra]

48. Wow. Homer Simpson Was posting at DU.

Alas, Homer is no longer with us.

[HereSince1628]

50. Well, I congratulate the moderators.

Job well done team.

[benburch]

10. BS

I know a lot of post-operative transgendered people who say that this made a huge difference in their lives.

[HuckleB]

21. I am sure that it has helped some.

That doesn't mean that, as a whole, the procedure helps most as compared to those who don't go through with the procedure, and it doesn't mean that you're getting the straight dope from the those who've told you this. What people say to others and what's really going on in their lives are often two very different stories.

Salud!

[HereSince1628]

11. Is this a failure of society? Maybe yes.

Popular culture is the environment within which transgendered persons must survive. Unfortunately, the assignment of gender roles in western civilization is highly constrained.

Rather than seeing persons' ironic biological assignments as "special," western civilization labels them only as dysphoric. (Even on DU the crossdressing of a TX republican has been used as evidence of less than suitability for office.) I have yet to come across research that suggests that transgendered are less logical than the average elected official or incapable of basic functions like empathy, personal responsibility, etc. If you know of any such literature please PM it to me.

The challenge for TS/TG to find a way to fit into western society is tremendously difficult. I have no doubt many of these folks are unhappy after gender reassignment but I am not sure this is a consequence of the failure of SRS to resolve some of these people's issues. It is just as likely that they are devastated by society's inability to accept them as authentic expressions of the human condition.

We might be better off, and the transgendered might be less stigmatized (and consequently more likely to survive to a happy old age), if our society accepted that the normal range of variation of phenotypic sexual expression included persons whose individuality defies characterization based on a false dichotomy by recognizing only heterosexual lifestyles and the mentally ill lifestyles.

As someone with an advanced degree in biology, and too many credit hours of evolutionary topics to get a job at Barnes and Noble, I can certainly see the potential of arguments that suggest complex gender roles and seemingly gender inappropriately associated activity actually do serve societal interests.

[msmcghee]

24. Good insights.

Imagine that from your earliest experiences you had to hide something very important about yourself. For example, imagine that you identified with females as friends and wanted to be like your mother when you grew up - and not like your father. But anatomically you were a boy. Throughout your formative years, on those few occasions when you allowed your true feelings out, when you expressed what was inside you that made you who you were, you were punished by your parents, laughed at by your friends and possibly beaten up by your enemies.

What happens is you spend your life suppressing your true nature. Needless to say you can become a very unhappy person.

When, later in life you go through a sex change transformation, it is extremely unlikely that the defenses that have become a large part of your personality will disappear.

I know many transsexual and transgender people. Most of them carry a residual unhappiness and fear of others' scorn for the rest of their lives. But most of them also do a very good job coping and adapting to their transformed gender. Almost all of them are kind, generous and caring of others. Yet, our society continues to punish them for their identity.

It is important to realize that there are different types of transsexuals. Early onset transsexuals who refuse from an early age to accept any part of the male role that is assigned to them are far different from males who grow up accepting their male role as best they can and hiding their female feelings until later in life.

And both of those are way different from homosexuals who cross-dress to attract men - but have no internal female feelings. These are not actually transsexuals at all.

And please - everyone - stop with the stupid "Ann Coulter used to be a man" jokes. They are hateful toward transgenders and transsexuals. There is nothing wrong with being a woman who used to be a man - and that has absolutely nothing to do with someone's politics. I'm sure you can find other things about her that do deserve your contempt.

[tishaLA]

37. I'm glad you wrote that last paragraph

I hadn't read your post when I wrote mine. It needs to be said.

[Zorra]

13. This study apparently fails to consider a very important factor.

"Its review warns that the results of many gender reassignment studies are unsound because researchers lost track of more than half of the participants. For example, in a five-year study of 727 post-operative transsexuals published last year, 495 people dropped out for unknown reasons. Dr Hyde said the high drop out rate could reflect high levels of dissatisfaction or even suicide among post-operative transsexuals. He called for the causes of their deaths to be tracked to provide more evidence"

Transsexuals assume a new social "role" and identity after sex reassignment. A few get married. Most desire a complete break from their previous identification as a member of their "biological sex". Once they are post operative, it is possible that they may no longer participate in studies that they have previously participated in due to a desire to fully assimilate into their new social identification.

In other words, they make a clean break from the past, and may no longer desire to participate in the study. Failure to recognize this very obvious logical possibility makes Hyde's conclusions suspect.

"Dr Hyde said the high drop out rate could reflect high levels of dissatisfaction or even suicide among post-operative transsexuals. He called for the causes of their deaths to be tracked to provide more evidence"

Hyde doesn't even know that these people died. So what "deaths" is he referring to? Isn't it possible that these people simply dropped out of the study because they wanted to get on with their new lives, with the desire to drop all previous identification of themselves as a recognized member of the gender that they were so uncomfortable with that they went so far as to alter their bodies in an attempt to not be recognized as a member of that gender?

Smells like homophobic propaganda to me. (I use the word "homophobic" loosely for lack of a better term, because transsexuals are not DSM IV classified as homosexual)

[nickinSTL]

16. Excellent point

I'd wager that 80-90% of those who dropped out (if not more) dropped out because they wanted to 'go stealth', and didn't want any reminders of their former life.

This is VERY common among TSs. The fact that the researcher didn't know that is another indication that this study is intended to prove the point the researcher intended to make.

[HuckleB]

28. Actually, considering that the Guardian started this review.

I'm guessing that they're assumption was that sex changes offered a positive outcome for those who chose them. This is not a RW rag, by any means.

[Zorra]

32. True. The Guardian is reliable, IMO also.

They are just reporting on the study. They also present an alternative POV:

Christine Burns, of PFC, said the campaign group's research suggested that the vast majority of transsexual people enjoyed much happier lives following surgery.

Ms Burns added that the greatest flaws in medical literature about gender reassignment were in those studies unsympathetic to transsexual people. For example, one study was based on a survey of seven transsexual prostitutes interviewed in one gay bar in Chicago.

http://society.guardian.co.uk/mentalhealth/story/0,8150,1272093,00.html

It's Hyde's conclusions that are suspect because the article does not mention if he considered a very obvious possibility in drawing his conclusions.

[pschoeb]

40. They give the reason for the review and it was a negative one

from the article

"The Guardian asked Arif to conduct the review after speaking to several people who regret changing gender or believe that the medical care they received failed to prepare them for their new lives. They explain why they are unhappy with their sex change and how they cope with the consequences in the Weekend magazine tomorrow (July 31)."

[HuckleB]

27. I don't think we have enough information to make such an assumption.

This is a piece in a newspaper, and it's not even the main piece that will come out in the magazine this weekend. It's always wise to look further into statements reported in newspaper pieces, rather than assume that they were made out of thin air. The physician may have both anecdotal and related study information that would lead to such supposition. You don't know at this point, so let's not bring out the "homophobia" label unless it is truly warranted. That's simply unfair and does not help anyone learn anything.

[nickinSTL]

30. not the Guardian

I don't hold the Guardian responsible for the apparent bias in the study. They're a news source, their job is to report the news.

I hold the researchers involved responsible.

[Zorra]

39. What are your personal opinions about transsexuals and gays?

Just curious about your views on this subject, if you would care to share them.

The article you posted is interesting and informative, and since the subject of sex reassignment was apparently interesting enough to you for you to post it for us, it made me curious to know what your personal POV is about transsexuals and gays.

[HuckleB]

47. I'm pro gay marriage. Pro gay adoption. Pro gay rights laws.

And transsexuals are included in all of those "pros."

I posted the article because I thought it was interesting, and because the source made me give it some credence, though there are a great many confounding factors, and, as with any review or study, more study and review is needed. I could clarify a number of things, or offer my thoughts, which really are just possibilities for further study, anyway, and I would like to do so, but I'm heading for the backcountry and must go go go.

I'm willing to answer any q's next week. PM me to remind me, if you want to do so.

Salud.

[Technowitch]

56. Being a Bi woman who married her lesbian partner back in March in SF

...one could safely assume I'm "pro-gay". ;)

As for transsexuals and transgendered folk, I know too many of them to see them as anything other than human beings who are as deserving of respect, kindness, and compassion as the rest of us. In fact, I respect 'em all the more, for the challenges they have to overcome, just to get by.

[AlienGirl]

53. I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT, I KNEW IT!

As soon as I saw those conclusions, I smelled selection bias. There have just been too many examples of *successful* transitions for this study's conclusions to be meaningful.

Tucker

[depakid]

57. You nailed it- the study lacks validity

Aside from the other factors that other posters mention, the study can't draw any reasonable conclusions about the effects of gender reassignment surgery due to what researchers call experimental mortality or attrition.

Anything said about the missing subjects is speculation, and the remaining subjects are a biased sample.

[TahitiNut]

66. I think another perspective deserves consideration.

It's a sad fact of life that wherever there are people in pain, there are other people willing to make a buck from that pain, irrespective of the 'satisfaction' gained thereby. The "dissatisfaction with results" could be seen, not as a weakness in the underlying spectrum of treatments, but as shortcomings in the providers of that treatment. Thus, while the article can surely be used as grist for the bigot-mill (what can't be?), I think it's a stretch to ascribe an illicit agenda on those doing the meta-research or those publishing the article.

[JVS]

15. So it'll grow back?

[nickinSTL]

17. What?

:wtf:

What are you talking about?

[HereSince1628]

20. Another great example of a sophomoric non sequitur

for introductory writing students. Thanks, all contributions are appreciated.

[Politicub]

26. It's Gender identity that's the culprit

If we could somehow place less emphasis on what bits you're born with and instead appreciate people as individuals, the world would be a much better place.

[TrogL]

41. They need to do their research

I know two transgendered people who have had their surgery.

While I agree that it may not be the ideal solution for some people, especially without the proper counselling before and after, my two friends are just fine.

Blanket statements like the title are inappropriate.

[Technowitch]

45. It's only the tragedies that are tracked

The successful ones typically "go stealth mode".

In other words, that attractive young woman sitting on the bus, or the guy walking his dog in the park, could quite easily be one of the successful transitions. They're young, old, and everything in between. I even know one young woman who has had a great career in modeling, she looks that good.

Many will even go so far as to 'rewrite' their personal histories, for the sake of casual conversations and new friends, so as not to draw unwanted attention.

This study also neglects the huge number of people who commit suicide because reassignment surgery just isn't perceived as a viable solution to a life-long gender identity conflict. I know personally of more than a few people who, lacking this option, likely would've ended up dead.

[rumguy]

49. Why would anyone want a sex change?

The whole notion sounds risky and absurd.

[Zorra]

51. This may be a good link for information on why

http://transsexual.org/What.html

[Technowitch]

52. It's not a question of 'want'

It's more a matter of 'need'. Nobody does it simply because they want to.

I know a few who've gone through this, and in every instance, the reason given was, "I had to do this, or I couldn't survive."

[customerserviceguy]

60. Seems to me

...that acceptance of homosexuality has been related to gay people's willingness to come "out", and to more than just really close friends. I've seen Deb Price (Detroit News columnist) mention that a key indicator of whether or not a straight person accepts gay marriage is whether or not that straight person knows anyone who is gay.

Given that, how does the "go stealth" practice of TS people aid in gaining acceptance for TS individuals? I personally don't know anyone who is TS who has "come out" to me about it, and I'm vocal, even in front of my religious/right wing friends about accepting gay marriage, for instance. It makes it pretty hard to get an understanding of TS if you really don't have anyone who you know personally.

Twenty years ago, I was quite rabidly homophobic, only from knowing gay people, and learning something about them, from them, did I break through it. I wish there were some way for TS folks to be able to comfortably make their status known, while still being able to be true to their reassigned gender.

[Technowitch]

61. That's just the point--

Montechamber writes:
"Twenty years ago, I was quite rabidly homophobic, only from knowing gay people, and learning something about them, from them, did I break through it. I wish there were some way for TS folks to be able to comfortably make their status known, while still being able to be true to their reassigned gender."

That's just the point. As my TS friends have said, the point of being 'true to one's reassigned gender' is not to draw attention to what went before, nor to the process of reassignment. They just want to be who and what they want to be -- and it ain't being TS. It's simply being female or male, as their brains tell them they need to be.

You're right -- it's a problem. They can't come out of the closet because it's not safe to do so, and compromises a successful gender transition anyway, because then people see you as a TS first and a woman or man second (if at all). And yet the only way eventually it'll be safe is if the stigma goes away -- which'll only happen when enough people come out into the open.

It's a tough dilemma.

[AlienGirl]

54. Brain gender vs. body sex

There have been studies that show that brains are hard-wired in utero to be somewhere on the spectrum of female<----->male. This happens earlier than the body's genitalia develop into male or female forms.

So occasinally a person is born with a "female" brain in a "male" body, or vice versa.

Tucker

[HereSince1628]

55. Because it satisfies their needs...what more can I say?

and I really am not TS ot TG so I am somewhat hesitant to speak for those who are...

I think that the way through the maze of life that each person finds is very complicated.

The variability in the way that individuals are able to respond to sexuality seems destined to result in individuals whose bodies and minds are not following parallel trajetories.

Wherein lies the real person? I am leaning toward the mind.

I have no idea how many transgendered persons I've met in my life, I am not a gender screener. I have no idea of how many people considering gender reassignment I've met, although it may be many...In my life it really doesn't have anything to do with how I treat them as the fellow humans that they undeniably are.

If a person finds happiness through sexual reassignment, good. I have no objecton to something that makes another person feel happy while costing me nothing.

Does SRS surgery have risks, yes. Is this why surgeons performing these operations work in parallel with psychiarists and psychologists?Well yes!

[tishaLA]

58. You've said it quite well

[stickdog]

59. Well, neither is doing it the same way every time! (nt)

[muriel_volestrangler]

62. If anyone is interested, here is the full article from the magazine

http://society.guardian.co.uk/health/story/0,7890,1273045,00.html

"Once, if you felt you were born the wrong gender in the wrong body, you had to put up with it. Now, there are up to 400 sex change operations a year carried out in Britain. Some transsexuals who resort to surgery live to regret it, others decidedly do not. David Batty hears their stories"

[HuckleB]

63. Thank you.

[Tight_rope]

70. Well...we do have implants now....Change back!