1. Transgenderism By Maureen Kimani April 24, 2005

2. What is Transgenderism? People who were assigned a gender, usually at birth and based on their genitals, but who feel that this is a false or incomplete description of themselves. People who were assigned a gender, usually at birth and based on their genitals, but who feel that this is a false or incomplete description of themselves. Usually describes an umbrella of people that include people that are between the two sexes Usually describes an umbrella of people that include people that are between the two sexes

3. Directions of Transgender Transman Transman Female to male Female to male Transwoman Transwoman Male to female Male to female Ratio is slowly becoming 1:1

4. Some sub-categories…. Transsexuals Transsexuals Individuals that establish permanent identity with the opposite sex Individuals that establish permanent identity with the opposite sex Cross-dressers Cross-dressers Individuals who enjoy wearing clothing of the opposite sex Individuals who enjoy wearing clothing of the opposite sex Sometimes, sexual preference does not change, usually remain heterosexual Sometimes, sexual preference does not change, usually remain heterosexual Transgenders Transgenders Androgynous representation of gender, neither “male” or “female” Androgynous representation of gender, neither “male” or “female” Transvestites Transvestites Individuals who behave or dresses in a manner that is characteristic of the other sex Individuals who behave or dresses in a manner that is characteristic of the other sex

5. How do we determine gender? Genetic gender Genetic gender Our chromosomal inheritance Our chromosomal inheritance Physical gender Physical gender Our primary and secondary sexual characteristics Our primary and secondary sexual characteristics “Brain gender” “Brain gender” Functional structure of the brain, along gender lines Functional structure of the brain, along gender lines “Brain sex” “Brain sex” Love and sex patterns Love and sex patterns Gender Identity Gender Identity Our subjective gender, what we feel ourselves to be Our subjective gender, what we feel ourselves to be

6. Types 1. Recognition that one’s brain gender is different from one’s physical gender Largest group of transgendered (75-95%) Largest group of transgendered (75-95%) Ex: “woman trapped in a man’s body” and the need to express one’s feminine side Ex: “woman trapped in a man’s body” and the need to express one’s feminine side Usually results in surface changes (wigs, makeup, crossdressing, etc) Usually results in surface changes (wigs, makeup, crossdressing, etc)

7. Types (cont.) 2. Accepting one’s true self Stage where one accepts the “instinct” sex and begins to make lifestyle changes to accommodate this Stage where one accepts the “instinct” sex and begins to make lifestyle changes to accommodate this May publically appear as the other gender May publically appear as the other gender Begins physical transition (hormones, electrolysis, surgery, wigs, makeup, make-up, clothes) Begins physical transition (hormones, electrolysis, surgery, wigs, makeup, make-up, clothes) Still believe physical form defines gender (still under control of “innate” persona) Still believe physical form defines gender (still under control of “innate” persona)

8. Types (cont.) 3. Becoming one’s true self Least experienced stage Least experienced stage Person born male is able to fully dismantle all male characteristics, and break free, allowing them to develop different values, temperament, and actions and vice versa Person born male is able to fully dismantle all male characteristics, and break free, allowing them to develop different values, temperament, and actions and vice versa

9. Some info…. Symbol is the combination of the male, female and male-female sign Symbol is the combination of the male, female and male-female sign Term “transgender” also used to describe individuals that: Term “transgender” also used to describe individuals that: live with a gender role that was not assigned at birth and do not wish to undergo medical options live with a gender role that was not assigned at birth and do not wish to undergo medical options do not want to ID themselves as transsexuals but can be characterized as such do not want to ID themselves as transsexuals but can be characterized as such fall between genders, neither male or female fall between genders, neither male or female

10. Transgenderism and Thailand

11. Gatoei/Gatuhy/Kathoey Roughly 180k in Thailand Roughly 180k in Thailand Men view themselves as women, but still have male reproductive organs Men view themselves as women, but still have male reproductive organs Because sex changes illegal Because sex changes illegal Still legally considered males Still legally considered males More acceptable than being homosexual More acceptable than being homosexual Embarrassment for Thai middle class because western nations only have males and females Embarrassment for Thai middle class because western nations only have males and females

12. Gatoei/Gatuhy/Kathoey There is a constant fear that a male seeking a female could find one and discover that they are not really females, but “gatoei” or physically males There is a constant fear that a male seeking a female could find one and discover that they are not really females, but “gatoei” or physically males In Buddhism, Tipitaka literature state that there are many genders In Buddhism, Tipitaka literature state that there are many genders Because of violation of heterosexual moves in previous life Because of violation of heterosexual moves in previous life

13. Male or Female????

15. Males….

16. Females….

17. Sources www.wikipedia.org- Online encyclopedia www.wikipedia.org- Online encyclopedia www.wikipedia.org- www.ntac.org – National Transgender Advocacy Coalition www.ntac.org – National Transgender Advocacy Coalition www.fridae.com- Gatoei information www.fridae.com- Gatoei information www.fridae.com- www.about.com- General transgender information www.about.com- General transgender information www.about.com-