Gender is the most important function in our society today. There are some many people out in the world that struggle finding their true identify. Transgender is a term for those who feel different because of their gender. Some people may define the word Transgender differently; some would like to be called Trans, or Transsexual. As a society we need to educate ourselves more on transgender people because it a process of change that impact them mentally, physical and socially.
The Process of Transition “The term transgender is often used as an all-purpose descriptor for a wide range of nonconventional gender identities that include individual’s identified as transsexual, female-to male trans men, male-to-female trans women, gender queer, nongendered, two-spirited, cross dressers, drag queens and drag kings (Robert)”. “A relatively simple definition provided by Brill and Pepper (2008), defines a Trans person as an ‘individual whose gender identity does not match their assigned birth gender.
For example, a transgender child self-identifies as a girl but is biologically male . The term can also be applied to individuals with a history of ‘transitioning sex’, even though they may not have openly identified themselves with any of the previously mentioned gender identities (Robert)”. The beginning process of being transgender is mentally, at a young age a child who is biologically born male of female identifies themselves as something else; even when they don’t understand what that maybe.
The word two- spirted, is how many Trans feel trapped in another person body, and then they beginning to emotional change the way they feel and think. “For example in many traditional American-Indian cultures, transgender individuals were once known as ‘two-spirit’ people who undertook distinctive forms of work and achieved unique status. In contrast, cross-dressing and transgender expression are disapproved of elsewhere by nearly all religious traditions (Robert)”. The life of a transgender mentally can be very dangerous.
Many Trans still develop emotions of not feeling normal or helplessness and feeling out of place. “For instance, acceptance and support, or rejection and marginalization, affect a person’s role in society and their personal relationships in particular. While trans people struggle internally with feelings of not belonging or not fitting into accepted cultural norms, these feelings are often exacerbated by external factors ranging from mild harassment and discrimination to the denial of basic rights and violence that in some cases can result in serious injury or even death (Robert)”. However, existing studies reveal links between minority stress, emotional distress and mental health problems in the general LGBT population (Health Service Executive, 2009; King et al. , 2008; Kuyper & Fokkema, 2009; Meyer, 1995). King et al. (2008) completed a met analysis of 25 studies that investigated mental disorder, suicide and self-harm in LGB people. Results indicated a twofold increase in suicide attempts and significantly higher rates of depression, anxiety disorders and alcohol dependence among LGB participants (Higgin Agnes)”.
When a transgender fully accept who there are they are mentally prepare for the physically part to transitioning. Coming out for Gays, Lesbians and Bisexuals as well as Trans genders is hard. “Hence, outwardly genderconforming transgender individual usually proceed through the development stages of coming out later in life, often following a long period of pre-coming when years of hiding their crossgender feelings take a different kind of toll (Etther)”. Gender reassignment is term that used for sex change for transgender. Gender reassignment (which includes psychotherapy, hormonal therapy and surgery) has been demonstrated as the most effective treatment for patients affected by gender dysphoria (or gender identity disorder), in which patients do not recognize their gender (sexual identity) as matching their genetic and sexual characteristics (Gennario Selvaggi)”.
Gender reassignment is a produce where the genitals or breast, or face gets removed or changed to fit the proper gender. Genital procedures performed for gender dysphoria, such as vaginoplasty, clitorolabioplasty, penectomy and orchidectomy in male-to-female transsexuals, and penile and scrotal reconstruction in female-to-male transsexuals, are the core procedures in gender reassignment surgery. Nongenital procedures, such as breast enlargement, mastectomy, facial feminization surgery, voice surgery, and other masculinization and feminization procedures complete the surgical treatment available (Gennario Selvaggi)”. Recently, the term Transgender has rebirth into society with the shocking revelation of Bruce Jenner coming out as being Transgender.
Bruce Jenner is an Olympic hero that won the gold medal for the decathlon 1976, the world saw him as male leader. In 2015 Bruce Jenner came out to world on national television and announced that he was living a life internal as a Trans women, Jenner shared that he would cross dress in hotel rooms, and in his home. Bruce Jenner who now is called Caitlyn Jenner changed the world and now we’ve become more aware of Transgender people. For Transgender changing their physically appearance is not the only struggle they face; socially they are not treated equally the same as other. The National Transgender Discrimination Survey found that 90% of respondents were harassed or mistreated at work for being transgender or hid who they were to avoid such treatment, and 26% had lost a job because they were transgender (Tuttle)”. Transgender people all around the world are being mistreated and harassed.
“However, transphobia– institutional, societal, and individual-level discrimination against transgender persons–is still pervasive in the United States and elsewhere. It often takes the form of laws, regulations, violence (physical, sexual, and verbal), harassment, prejudices, and egative attitudes directed against transgender persons (PHD and Brte)”. Unfortunately numerous people suffer from transphobia and or hostile towards Trans and make it hard for them at work, school anywhere social or in the media. “Studies have reported that transgender persons lack access to gendersensitive health care and often experience transphobia in health care and treatment. Transgender persons are frequently exposed to violence, sexual assault, and harassment in everyday life, mainly because of transphobia (PHD and Brte)”. The down fall from being socially harassed leads to depression.
Depression is one of the leading causes to several health risk of the LGBT community. “Psychological indicators such as depression and suicidal ideation and attempts have been reported among transgender persons (PHD and Brte)”. “A major mental health problem among both the transgender population and the non-transgender population is depression. It is important to stress, however, that depression is rarely caused simply by having a transgender identity (Bockting, Coleman, and Benner (2007), but more likely arises from external pressures such as isolation (Robert)”.
Over millions of young Trans teens are being killed and committing suicide. “Specific causes of depression among the transgender population include worries about disclosing their gender identity, family rejection, balancing transition costs, social isolation and an inability to settle down with an understanding partner (Robert)”. The everyday lives for Transgender is a struggle mentally, physically, and emotionally. Transiting to another gender has is scuffle, but I’m sure for the Trans it’s a process that there are willing to take.