[Beverley50]

I have read tons of stuff, from quite a few Trans sites to White Papers from a few prestigious Teaching Hospitals .  And I boil it down this way...  A Cross Dresser usually, not always does his/her stick for the buzz, pleasure or sexual thrill, Transexual truly loathes his/her born sex, while a transgender does not necessarily hates her/his original gender, but either feels more female or male at time or mostly and wishes to identify at times or mostly as the opposite gender.

A transgender may even modify his/her body to more look like the opposite sex.  A male may grow boobs, or otherwise feminize, while a female bind her breasts to wear the clothing of their adopted gender.  

I can see where there is confusion.  The lines can be blurred.  Hell, I can attest to that myself being a Two Spirit.

OMG it is all just so confusing.

When I was sitting with my doctor the other day I had to give as much input about myself as possible, going right back to childhood, in order for her to build up a comprehensive database about me. The questions were often invasive in nature, but I was happy to answer them in detail, just so that she knows everything about me. As part of this input to her database she wanted clear definitions to various conditions, and the very aspects of transgenderism versus transsexuality was discussed in depth. (too much info for this post). I can understand in order to be able to tick the boxes correctly she wanted clear definitions for certain things, wrt future treatments, which paths to follow to get the final result, and alternative ways to branch off should changes in the plan be required. The dynamics of gender change through surgery was discussed in depth, and she is such a keen observer, almost like a detective, yet always friendly and accommodating.

Anyway, so I am classed as transsexual, and from now on we will approach treatment and discussions from that perspective. So, in the end, I suppose it is necessary to have a clear label to what you are. It is important for doctors to be able to know too, for they will have to treat and help you. 

We can all say that it doesn't matter, yet it does! I may not matter to you personally, but to medical professionals it does.

X

Bev