Reavis writes about a recent incident that showcases the newest form of discrimination that has surfaced in modern society. Sex-change surgery is no simple matter. Stanton is not merely undergoing the operation to get "attention," an argument I've heard people make when they discuss why some people "choose" to be gay.
The operation can take up to two years. According to the Reed Centre for Genital Surgery in Miami, patients have to live in the social role of their new gender for 12 months before beginning any surgery. Two independent therapists with advanced degrees must evaluate them. Procedures with their doctors usually start as early as six months in advance of the actual operation, and there are several post-operation procedures as well. The surgery is also quite expensive.
Let's also not forget the blatant informal discrimination one has to go through when changing genders. Everything Stanton had worked for, his professional standing and relationships, had vanished in a cloud of bigotry within a week.
