DEFINITIONS
True Selves: Understanding Transsexualism-For Families, Friends, Coworkers, and Helping Professionals, 6-21
What Is a Transsexual?
Intersexed Individuals
Transvestites
Cross-dressing and Transvestism
Homosexuals and Lesbians
Drag Queens
Gender Benders
Transgendered Individuals
The Motivation for Cross-Dressing
It's Not About Sexual Orientation
It's Not About Sex
It's About Gender Identity
Gender
Gender Identity
Theories About Causation
What Is a Transsexual?
Transsexuals are individuals who strongly feel that they are, or ought to be, the opposite sex. The body they were born with does not match their own inner conviction and mental image of who they are or want to be. Nor are they comfortable with the gender role society expects them to play based on that body. This dilemma causes them intense emotional distress and anxiety and often interferes with their day-to-day functioning.
Transsexuals frequently report that they feel trapped—destined to live out their lives "imprisoned in the wrong body" unless they correct the situation with hormones or sex reassignment surgery (SRS), formerly referred to as a "sex change operation." Most of my transsexual patients were painfully aware of their gender incongruity from early childhood, although some did not fully acknowledge it until they reached puberty or adulthood. This incongruity between mind and body is referred to in medical literature as transsexualism, gender dysphoria, and also more recently as gender identity disorder (GID).
Intersexed Individuals
Intersexed individuals (formerly referred to as
"hermaphrodites") are born with both
ovarian and testicular tissue (either fully or
partially developed). Some also have some obvious
physical abnormality or ambiguity at the time
of birth involving the external sex organs. Parents
or physicians are often placed in the difficult
position of having to make an arbitrary decision
as to the sex of the infant. Sometimes parents
elect to have the ambiguity corrected by genital
surgery. In cases where either the "assigned"
sex or the surgically corrected genitalia do not
match the child's gender identity, the individual
will likely be gender dysphoric and, like transsexuals,
will often seek sex reassignment surgery.
Transvestites
Transvestites, or cross-dressers, are individuals
who wear clothing of the opposite gender primarily
for erotic arousal or sexual gratification, although
some do so for emotional or psychological reasons
as well, especially as they get older. Because
the overwhelming majority of transvestites are
men, we'll focus on them first.
Typically, transvestites are heterosexual, married,
and well educated males. Some of them may have
sexual fantasies about being female (and a few
may even take small doses of estrogen for feminization),
but transvestites have a male gender identity,
enjoy their male bodies, including their genitals,
and have no desire to change their sex.
Cross-dressing and Transvestism
Cross-dressing typically begins at puberty
and may continue throughout a transvestite's lifetime.
During puberty and the teen years, cross-dressing
for males has a strong sexual component. Such
boys generally become sexually aroused by wearing
one or more articles of women's clothing (which
they usually "borrow" from their mother,
a sister, or any other female who happens to live
in the household) and typically masturbate while
wearing these garments.
For some, the sexual component to cross-dressing
remains firmly fixed throughout their lives. For
others, the sexual arousal disappears as they
get older or becomes secondary to a sense of comfort,
relaxation, or well-being when they cross-dress.
Some transvestites report that cross-dressing
allows them to express a more feminine side, a
"second self," or a softer, more emotional
side. While some say that cross-dressing is calming
and releases them from the pressures inherent
in society's rigid stereotypical expectations
about the male role, others report that it makes
them feel exhilarated or "more alive."
The extent, frequency, and visibility of cross-dressing
differs widely. Some males wear only one item
of female clothing (for example, panties or hosiery)
either in a fetishistic way (that is, because
it brings on sexual arousal) or as a garment under
their male clothes, while others dress from head
to toe in female clothing, including makeup and
wigs.
Transvestism can run the gamut from mere dabbling
to full-time preoccupation. Whereas some transvestites
cross-dress only occasionally, others do so on
a daily basis and adopt a female name and persona.
Many transvestites are able to compartmentalize
their "female side" so successfully
that they exhibit no hint of femininity while
in the male role.
Some transvestites cross-dress only in the privacy
of their home or a hotel room, while others enjoy
a very public, exhibitionistic cross-dressing
life. Transvestites are often narcissistic and
revel in drawing attention to themselves, being
seen, preening in front of the mirror, and having
their picture taken.
Transvestism is far less prevalent among women
than men— some researchers believe that there
are thousands of male transvestites to every one
female transvestite—but the reasons for this
disparity are not entirely clear. Because of their
scarce numbers, there has been far less research
done on female transvestites and less information
compiled about them than about their male counterparts.
It has been speculated that women may have less
reason to cross-dress. Because society is far
less rigid about female clothing standards, women
can wear masculine-looking clothes or actual male
attire without attracting much attention.
Female transvestites may wear one item of male
clothing (for example, undershorts) or may don
an entirely male outfit. Although they enjoy wearing
male attire, they have a female gender identity
and, like their male counterparts, have no desire
to change their sex.
The major difference between male and female transvestites
is the underlying motivation for cross-dressing.
Whereas male crossdressing is generally associated
with fetishism—sexual arousal elicited by
an inanimate object such as lingerie or shoes—this
is not the case for female cross-dressing. Experts
believe that because women almost never have fetishistic
tendencies, there is little or no erotic component
to cross-dressing for female transvestites. Instead,
according to the female cross-dressers I've worked
with, their crossdressing emanates from a desire
to embrace and experience male power and status
and what is perceived to be male privilege.
It is also possible that female transvestites,
like female transsexuals, may be underreported.
Much more research is necessary regarding female
transvestism before we can draw more conclusive
answers.
Transvestite is sometimes abbreviated TV, and
transvestites sometimes refer to themselves as
"TVs."
Homosexuals and Lesbians
Homosexual men (who often refer to themselves
as "gay") and lesbian women are individuals
who are sexually and emotionally attracted to
members of their own anatomical sex. Homosexuality,
like heterosexuality, is a sexual orientation
and should not be confused with a gender identity
disorder like transsexualism. Although homosexuality
has long been regarded by the general public as
a sexual "preference" or "choice,"
more and more experts are beginning to believe
that, as with transsexualism, a genetic component
is involved.
Some gay males are effeminate in appearance, dress,
and mannerisms. These individuals are sometimes
referred to as "queens." And some lesbians
who are very masculine in their appearance, dress,
and mannerisms are sometimes referred to as "butch
lesbians."
However, homosexual men self-identify as male,
and lesbians self-identify as female. Both view
their bodies as being appropriate to their gender
identity and do not wish to have surgery to change
their sex.
Drag Queens
Drag queens are homosexual cross-dressers who
don female clothing for their own erotic and sexual
pleasure or for that of partners who are attracted
to female presentation in a male. Drag queens
don't aspire to be females, and their partners
don't want anatomical females—both value
their own and their partner's maleness. Drag queens
self-identify as male, view their bodies as appropriate
to their gender identity, and do not wish to have
sex reassignment surgery.
Drag queens generally take a more theatrical or
"camp" approach to cross-dressing than
transvestites, often affecting exaggerated and
pronounced female patterns of speech, movement,
gestures, and attire. They cross-dress primarily
for show, enjoy being seen in their role, and
relish the effect their presentation has on others.
Many drag queens dress androgynously during the
day (or lean only slightly toward the feminine
side) but enjoy the nightlife circuit dressed
in full drag regalia.
Although some experts believe that drag queens
make up only 5 percent of the total gay population,
their flamboyance often makes them more visible
than other members of the gay community, thereby
precipitating the common misconception that all
gay men like to wear female clothing. This is,
of course, not true.
The usage of the word drag dates back to early
theater days when women were not permitted to
perform on stage.
A female impersonator may be a homosexual male,
a bisexual male, or a heterosexual male. Most
are drag queens, some are transvestites (who may
or may not cross-dress offstage), and only a few
are transsexuals. Only female impersonators who
are also preoperative transsexuals desire sex
reassignment surgery.
This type of cross-dressing is primarily an acting
job, a stage performance that dates back to the
early days of theater in Greece, Rome, England,
China, Japan, and other parts of the world.
There are also male impersonators. In Japan, for
example, female theater stars called otoko-yaku
sing, dance, and perform in male roles to sellout
crowds. These women are said by some to be among
the most beautiful, elegant, and romantic "men"
in Japan, even though they are really women.
Gender Benders
Gender benders are males or females who challenge
and cross traditional gender boundaries, often
in outrageous ways. They dress and behave to surprise
or shock. An example is men who wear dresses but
have full beards. Some male and female rock stars
are gender benders, at least while they are performing.
Gender bending is usually done to entertain, for
dramatic effect, to get attention, or simply to
break away from the limits of traditional clothing
and demeanor. Some gender benders consider cross-dressing
and cross-gender behavior an act of rebellion
or a political statement—their way of telling
society that they refuse to be governed by stereotypical
clothing, presentation, or gender roles. Gender
benders do not, however, desire surgery to change
their sex.
Transgendered Individuals
There are two common definitions for the term transgendered. The first refers to transsexuals who choose to live in the world as the opposite gender on a full-time basis but do not wish to undergo sex reassignment surgery. The second and more general definition (the one we will use in this book) is as an umbrella term used to describe the full range of individuals who have a conflict with or question about their gender. This includes everyone from transsexuals who desire surgery, those who have no desire to have surgery, and postoperative transsexuals to male and female transvestites, drag queens, female impersonators, male impersonators, gender benders, and people who are experiencing gender confusion but don't know exactly where they fall along the gender spectrum.
The Motivation for Cross-Dressing
You have probably noticed by now that except for
cross-dressing, transsexuals have little in common
with any of the other transgendered individuals.
Even though transsexual men and women dress in
clothing traditionally associated with the other
gender, their motivation is distinctly different
from that of the other cross-dressers.
For transsexuals, cross-dressing is not about
playfulness, eroticism, fetishism, exhibitionism,
or show business. Nor is it about power and status.
Transsexuals do not cross-dress as a form of rebellion
or to make a political statement, nor do they
do so to get attention or attract partners or,
as was assumed in the medical literature of past
decades, as a form of denial of a homosexual orientation.
Transsexuals dress in the attire of the other
gender solely as an outward expression of their
core identity. Male-to-female transsexuals feel
female and therefore find that dressing in women's
garments feels natural, comfortable, and gender-appropriate.
The same is true for female-to-male transsexuals
who wear men's clothing.
It's Not About Sexual Orientation
A common misconception about transsexuality is
that it is one and the same as homosexuality (particularly
in the case of MTFs). Perhaps confusion exists
because some gay males exhibit effeminate behaviors
(or wear female clothing, as in the case of drag
queens), and there is a tendency to confuse effeminacy
with femaleness. A similar misconception exists
around FTMs and butch lesbians.
Though there may be similarities between homosexual
and transsexual individuals in outward presentation,
the distinguishing characteristic is that transsexuals'
inner self-identification does not match their
physical body, whereas gay individuals are attracted
to sex partners with the same anatomy as their
own. What we are dealing with here are two separate
constructs: transsexuality concerns gender identity
and homosexuality concerns sexual orientation.
Our sexual orientation is defined by the sex of
the individuals to whom we are erotically and
emotionally attracted. There are only three possible
sexual orientations: heterosexual, homosexual,
and bisexual. This is true for every human being—transsexual
as well as non transsexual. If we are attracted
to members of the opposite sex, our sexual orientation
is heterosexual; if we are attracted to members
of the same sex, our sexual orientation is homosexual;
and if we are attracted to members of both sexes,
our sexual orientation is bisexual. Even individuals
who are asexual or celibate have (or have had)
sexual fantasies about members of the opposite
sex, the same sex, or both.
It is important to distinguish further between
sexual orientation, sexual behavior, and sexual
fantasies. Whereas sexual orientation refers to
which sex one is attracted, sexual behavior refers
to the sexual activities or acts in which one
engages. Kissing, masturbation, and oral sex are
three examples in the wide range of possibilities
for individuals of all sexual orientations. Furthermore,
a person may choose a sexual partner who does
not necessarily match his or her sexual fantasies.
For example, a woman may be married to a man even
though all of her sexual fantasies are about other
women.
It's Not About Sex
The terms sex and gender are typically used interchangeably
in our culture today and in this book, but it's
important to keep in mind that there are distinguishing
characteristics between the two. Sex refers to
the biological classification of being either
male or female and is usually determined by the
external genitalia. Gender refers to the culturally
determined behavioral, social, and psychological
traits that are typically associated with being
male or female.
In the United States, as in most other countries,
we live in a culture in which our sex—whether
we are male or female—is presumed to be an
absolute. When an infant is born, the doctor and
parents look at the external genitalia and proclaim,
"It's a boy" or "It's a girl,"
depending on whether they see a penis and scrotum
or a vulva. From that moment on, the infant is
treated in the culturally prescribed manner for
a male or a female, as if genital anatomy were
the sole indicator of sex. But determining an
individual's sex is not that clear-cut.
From a sexological point of view, there are at
least eight factors—five biological and three
social and psychological—to be considered
in determining sex. The biological determinants
are chromosomes, hormones, gonads (glands that
produce sex hormones), internal sexual and reproductive
organs, and external sex organs. The social and
psychological determinants are gender of rearing,
gender role, and gender identity.
For most people, all eight factors are in perfect
agreement. For example, someone born with male
genitalia will have the chromosomal and hormonal
makeup of a male and the gonads and internal sex
organs that are consistent with male anatomy.
Moreover, such persons will be reared as males,
play the roles typical of males in our society,
and self-identify as male.
For transsexuals, however, the eight factors are
not in perfect agreement. The eighth, gender identity,
is out of sync with the others. This is the crux
of the transsexual dilemma.
It's About Gender Identity
Transsexualism is not about sex, sexual behavior,
or sexual orientation—it's about gender or,
more specifically, gender identity.
Gender
As indicated earlier, gender is a social construct
used to distinguish between male and female, masculine
and feminine. When we are born, our external genitalia
determine whether we are male or female. As we
grow up, we learn how to move, speak, dress, and
behave in the way our culture deems appropriate
for a male or a female (that is, we learn our
gender role). Thus, when we meet a stranger we
mentally attribute a gender to the person based
on a variety of arbitrary bodily and behavioral
cues. These things are all part of the way society
defines gender, and they can vary from one culture
to another.
Gender Identity
Gender identity, or psychological self-identification,
by contrast, cannot be attributed by others. It
is our own deeply held conviction and deeply felt
inner awareness that we belong to one gender or
the other. This awareness is firmly in place by
the time we are five years old.
Gender identity is private and internal. It is
felt, not seen. It is the only one of the eight
factors that is totally subjective. It cannot
be deduced from how a person looks, moves, dresses,
or behaves, nor can it be determined by medical
or psychological testing. The only way to know
a person's gender identity is if he or she tells
you.
For the overwhelming majority of people, their
gender identity matches their body, but transsexuals
are not so fortunate. Despite all physical evidence
to the contrary, they do not perceive themselves
as a member of their anatomical sex. Their mind
and body are in opposition; one says female, the
other says male. Much of this book will focus
on describing the complex ramifications this vast
incongruity has on the lives of transsexuals and
the people around them.
Theories About Causation
Naturally, there has been much speculation about
what causes transsexualism. Are transsexuals born
that way? Does the answer lie with biology—chromosomes,
hormones, physiology—or do social and cultural
factors play the dominant role?