A Transgender person is someone who's internal feeling of their gender conflicts with the one assigned at birth. This conflict often results in Gender Dysphoria, a mild to extreme feeling of discomfort and anxiety with either the sufferer's physical appearance and/or their gender role and societal expectations for behaviour and interaction. Individuals may feel their gender sits anywhere on a whole spectrum, from identifiying strongly as female, male, somewhere in-between (non-binary or gender queer) that may be fixed or fluid, or that they might feel genderless (agender). It is important to understand that this is not related to a persons sexuality.
The Gender Unicorn might help you visualise how Sex, Gender, Sexuality and Attraction can differ for any single person.
It is estimated that between 0.5% and 1.5% of the population are gender variant to some degree, though this does not mean that they all seek or would chose to change their gender.
A Cisgender (sis-gender) person is someone who's own feeling of gender aligns with their physical sex, and the gender assigned to them at birth. Most men and women could be considered cisgender.
Even as young as four of five years old I was aware that I felt different to other children. By adolesence I was accutely aware that I did not feel male or that I related to typical male behaviours, and by the age of sixteen or seventeen I had clear thoughts that if possible, I would like to have been born female.
Even before the age of four, most children are aware of the different genders, their own assignment, and the behaviours that are associated and expected. Many Transgender people including myself grew up feeling unable to express our feelings for fear of rejection by friends and family. Many of these fears and prejudices become internalised, with the individual feeling great shame for having such thoughts. For me this guilt and shame along with a fear of discovery lead to a damaging cycle of repression and denial of these feelings.
Some Transgender people may identify and feel able to openly express their feelings at a very young age, some may live their entire lives with these thoughts never able to share them. Despite living with these feelings for more than 2 decades, it is only recently that I have found the self confidence and maturity to confront my feelings and talk openly about myself.
Transition is typically a process of changing your appearance and behaviour to match that of the preffered gender, living full-time in the gender role as defined by society. It can often be a difficult and awkward time for the individual and also for their family, friends and colleagues; aquiring the skills and mindset of the other gender that usually takes many years and learn and pollish.
Maybe.
For very good reasons the NHS believe that someone should live full-time in any new gender role for a substantial period of time (typically at least 2 years) before irreversible Gender Reassignment Surgery is considered; to ensure that the patient would be happy with and benefit from the procedure. Some Transgender individuals never have this surgery, for others it is a very important part of their transition. This is a decision I would not likely make until living in my new gender role for some time.
Medical science has yet to identify the cause. Factors may include environmental, genetic, or hormonal causes; most likely before birth.
There is no way of stopping Gender Dysphoria. However, the symptoms of Gender Dysphoria can be greatly reduced or resolved by allowing the individual to properly express or live in the gender role that is congruent with how they feel internally.
Emotional and sexual attraction to either the same, opposite or both sexes is not related to a persons gender. At this time I would self-define myself as Pansexual.
I have chosen the name Megan for myself, and ask you to kindly use typical feminine pronouns such as 'her' and 'she'; and the title of 'ms'.
Please don't worry or feel embarassed if you slip up, I probably will too!
No. Drag is a theatrical presentation, and is often a caricature of a gender (male or female), often done purely for entertainment or as form of temporary escapism.
No. Transvestites typically dress for sexual pleasure and excitement, they do not generally want to live full-time in a different gender role.
Yes. Those of you that have known me for any length of time know that my physical appearance has already changed dramatically in the last 2 years. I will dress and present in a female manner with appropriate hairstyle, makeup etc...
Yes. I have met and continue to work with experienced therapists, psychologists, mental health professionals and doctors, many with extensive experience of working with Transgender people. I am currently in the care and assessment pathway of a NHS GIC (Gender Identity Clinic).
Pretty much, Yes. While there is no definitive test to prove this, I have and continue to work with qualified therapists and experienced medical professions to help me work through my feelings about this.
HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) is the use of medication to alter the hormonal balance of an indivudual to that of the opposite gender. The purpose is to provide both mental relief, and also cause physical changes that would allow a person to feel a greater comfort with their own body. The rate and degree of these changes vary for each person with some changes taking years, but for MTF Transgender people the effects can include:
MTF (Male-to-Female) and FTM (Female-to-Male) relate to the two most common types of gender transition.
No. I have had these feelings for more than 30 years. But I have reached a stage in my life where I both need and feel able to face this issue.
When presenting as female, and where there are gendered bathroom facilities, I use the one that matches with my presentation.
The children have stayed with their mother following our separation, and visit with me regularly; I will continue to be an active parent in their lives.
We are working together with professional experts to ensure the children are supported in adapting to the changes I will go through.
There are some links below if you would like more information or support on this subject: