Sunday, September 21, 2008
![Transsexualism is the most misunderstood subject there is. To the person who has not faced, or studied, human sexuality, this topic may be confusing.
I have often been asked: "What is the difference between a tranvestite and a transsexual?
Tranvestites are happy with their biological sex (the genitals they were born with), even though they may cross dress either occasionally or (in some cases) full-time. They do not feel like they are "trapped in the wrong body." Some enjoy public role-playing as the opposite sex; others only cross dress in private.
Transsexuals, on the other hand, are unhappy with their biological sex, whether they cross dress occasionally, full-time, or not at all. They do feel that they are, in fact, "trapped in the wrong body." This is not a matter of "sexual preference".
Dr. Harry Benjamin, long recognized as an expert on sexology and a leader in transsexual treatment, wrote THE TRANSSEXUAL PHENOMENON, published in 1966.
In his book, Dr. Benjamin elaborates in minute detail the varying degrees of transvestism and transsexualism in individuals. He discusses situations of persons in whom cross dressing is "in all likelihood not of fetishistic (a sexual obsession with female attire) but of basically transsexual origin." He explains that such persons "if honest...would want....[the classic "sex change operation" first made famous by Christine Jorgenson in 1952]." External fears (such as fear of persecution) or fears of physical pain may, however, prevent him (or her) from actually seeking surgery." Dr. Benjamin states that: "Such persons either live as a transvestite, or (depending upon their degree of transsexualism which varies from person to person) live full-time in the role opposite of their biological gender."
Dr. Benjamin coined the word "transsexual," as an individual who feels that he or she is trapped in the wrong body. This person usually has an intense desire to live full time in the identity opposite of their biological sex, and be perceived as such, whether or not they have, or pursue, sex reassignment surgery.
In times past, when finding a surgeon in America to perform sex change surgery was difficult, for some the desire to change their genitalia was so powerful that self-multilations were frequent. Only God knows how often a mysterious suicide may be related to the misery of a transsexual. For many with a high degree of transsexualism, a sex change operation is the all-consuming urge. As Dr. Benjamin points out: "For them, mere cross dressing is as insufficient a help as aspirin is for a brain tumor headache."
Another question I am frequently asked is: "What is the difference between 'transsexual' and 'transgender'?"
To accomodate transsexuals who cannot have surgery for a number of reasons, i.e., financial inability to have it done, unable to be operated on for health reasons, etc., and yet who live full time in what they believe to be their true (psychological) identity, the word "transgender" was coined in 1980.
Dr. Benjamin states: "According to the dictionary, sex is synonymous with gender. But, in actuality, this is not true...'Sex' is more applicable where there is the implication of sexuality, of libido, and of sexual activity. 'Gender' is the non-sexual side of sex. As someone once expressed it: Gender is located above, and sex below the belt. This differentation, however, cannot always be very sharp or constant and therefore, to avoid pedantry, sex and gender must, here and there, be used interchangeably."
He further elaborates: "Sex is a matter of anatomy and physiology. 'Male' and 'Female' are sexual terms. 'Gender', however, can be considered a mixture of inborn and acquired, that is, learned characteristics. 'Masculine' and 'feminine' are therefore expressions belonging to the gender concept."
One can be biologically "male" and yet not be a "man."
Therefore, the term "transgender" may be applied to persons who choose to live full time in an identity opposite of their biological sex, although they cannot have surgery -- or, perhaps, do not WANT to. No one should be pressured into having sex reassignment surgery in order to gain acceptance as a Trans person.
Dr. Benjamin gives a continuum scale of one to ten -- one meaning a person who occasionally cross dresses, and ten defining a a person who has had sex reassignment surgery.
He also says: "...The dominant status of the genital organs for the determination of one's sex has been shaken, at least in the world of science."
Genitals receive an over emphasis in our minds compared to their importance in the full scheme of one's sexual identity and activity; indeed, they comprise a relatively small part of one's sexual identity. Dr. Benjamin describes various manifestations of sex which manifest themselves in varying degrees in individuals. Included in his medical and scientific research are: Chromosonal sex, genetic sex, anatomical sex, legal sex, gonadal sex, terminal sex, endocrine (hormonal) sex. social sex, psychological sex, biological sex, etc. He further elaborates that research studies continue to add to this explanding list as new medical and scientific discoveries emerge.
When a baby is born, its "legal sex" on the birth certificate is determined by its genitals. The only way to get the "legal sex" changed on one's birth certificate is to have sex change surgery. (Some states will change the sex on a post-operative transsexual's birth certificate; others will not).
Dr. Benjamin states: "For the uneducated , there are only two sexes: a person is either male or female -- Adam or Eve. The educated and enlightened realize that every "Adam" contains elements of "Eve" and every "Eve" harbors traces of "Adam," physically as well as psychologically." Everyone is androgynous to some degree.
We are living in that generation when the Old Testament predicts an explosion of knowledge. Daniel 12:4 Solomon, in his wisdom, said "there is nothing new under the sun." Ecclesiastes 1:9 On the surface, these two Biblical references may appear to be contradictory, when, in actuality, they are not For example, look how many centuries it took in humankind's progress before electricity was discovered. This powerful force was in existence since God spoke the worlds into existence. It has taken finite human beings centuries to discover electricity. Why would this be different in any other arena of life, including human sexuality?
Paul wrote: "For now we see through a glass darkly....now I know in part...." I Corinthians 13:12 John the Revelator foretold "....a new heaven and a new earth...." Revelation 21:1 And, looking down the telescope of time, seeing this "new earth," the prophet Habakkuk said: "For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea." Habakkuk 2:14.
So, until then, may we finite people have faith in an Infinite God who makes no mistakes.](B18788F9-793E-4553-B3A8-BAB2D38BB462_files/shapeimage_1.png)
