The German term "Transsexualismus" was introduced by Hirschfeld in 1923. The neo-Latin term "psychopathia transexualis" and English "transexual" were introduced by D. O. Cauldwell in 1949, who subsequently also used the term "trans-sexual" in 1950. Cauldwell appears to be the first to use the term in direct reference to those who desired a change of physiological sex. So, we use term transsexual which was invented before deep understanding of intricacies and fluid dynamics of gender. This term has evolved and because of its sexual connotation has been largely replaced with more user friendly and all encompassing transgender which directly explains within its makeup the gender issue. Never the less, I for one consider my self transsexual, and describe my condition with the word which used to send chills down my spine only short while ago. I am no longer running away from the dreaded term but embrace it as mine. Transsexual woman would be right on the spot, giving note to end point of my transness through gender and secondary sexual characteristics. Enough about the term!
How do I know I am transgender? Well, Herry Benjamin has derived set of principles which illuminated tendency to be a transgender. Primitive as it were, it has been embraced by the psychological society at large to this day, although individual therapists use their own more detailed approach to determining the character.
I truly believe that if someone logs in to Susans Place, makes an effort to enroll and then ask the question, then it surely would be a proof of gender flux, or gender question on his or her mind. Also I believe that all the people who are here as members fit into this transgender community and as far as those who revert to manhood after transition, for the majority or all this return to life as it was is not the return to true self but being discontent with struggles and problems facing us after such transition. Some simply give up the struggle and revert to status quo. I once asked my therapist who is a PHD and with extensive knowledge in research, weather she has ever observed someone be cured so to speak to which she replied "there are those who choose to remain male to satisfy demands of life, family, career but out of all my patients over the span of 30 years not one hes ever been granted peace by remaining their former genetic gender"
