[bryony]

Gender Identity Disorder should be left as it is in the DSM. It is after all a disorder that someone is born with, it still wouldn't change the standards of care and recommended treatment and I don't see how it is supposed to demonized people. You treat your disorder by learning to cope with it or by transitioning, that's it.. nothing to be ashamed of and I've found it makes far more sense to people to explain it like that.

The phrase "gender dysphoria" has so many meanings in so many different contexts I've read.. the only consistent use of it is "a feeling of wanting to be the opposite sex". The "dysphoria" part of it seems to have been lost in translation after a while since a lot of trans people don't experience true dysphoria, but usually ranging from mild to moderate levels of anxiety and depression that can eventually become unbearable. Not everyone is depressed but most are anxious at least.

Too late - it's going to happen - DSM-V

However, I think the "true" transsexual theory is a bit outdated and it's not well accepted these days, the more we are finding out about transsexuality now the more we see that not everyone experiences gender variance from childhood and a lot that do experience it do not develop dysphoric symptoms or go onto be transgender and turns out it was just a childhood phase. Recent studies have indicated that less than 40% who transitioned actually had clear gender variance before puberty.

The transgender spectrum encompasses many different kinds of people and the fact that we have thrown out the concept of "true" transsexuals is a huge step forward.

Have we though? I think you'll find that there are a lot of activists who are saying that autogynephiles are not "true" transsexuals, and they have a lot of pull with the politicians. If the only way such people can get relief (i.e. not knowing about PM) is to get the hormones that put them on the path to transition, then they will get into trouble.

People should not feel like they need to fit a category or a label.. what's wrong with being non-op for example? Some people argue they aren't "true" transsexuals, sure as hell could of fooled me some of the ones that do not hate their genitals I've met are probably some of the clearest trans cases I've ever known and it comes naturally to them being female.

You are preaching to the choir here. I think the problem with non-ops is that they are more in danger of blood clots.

I never hated my genitals, well I wish they weren't there when I was crossdressing but at other times, not really. The idea of "true" transsexuals need to hate their genitals or they shouldn't transition completely is rubbish to me.

Agreed - but it isn't in the orthodoxy yet.

Sexuality itself is more complex than a simple binary too, polysexuality is become far more recognized with trans porn, a friend of mine recently came out to me that he is attracted to pre-op trans girls.

All well and good, but they need an effective lobbying group

I should stop.. need sleep

Pleasant dreams!

B.