Terminology

[M777a]

Rachl thank you for taking the time to respond. The word or words should be straight forward and non confusing. That is why I came up with GSM (Gender Sex Misalignment). We are talking about here is who we are not our sexual oreintation or expression. Orientation is completely different from GSM, which is about ones self. Who you are attracted to is not based on your sex. Expression is a individual thing based on how you want the world to see you and that is special to each individual. GSM is the situation we find ourselves in due to some biological mix up. Where this all started no one seems to know, but if DNA is the building block somewhere in the code something happened that created the situation we find ourselves in. How it happened maybe important but how ever it happened we have to deal with this variation of the human being. As I have been told Gender refers to the brain of the individual and sex to the vessel its carried in. Thus the term gender and sex. Misalignment is nothing more than the two parts not being in agreement. The brain is the main controller and end terminus of the entire system. If it identifies as female than you are female no matter what is between your legs. The problem begins when you become aware of it and the internal system can't correct it. We are left to external means to correct the DNA mistakes. We are not transitioning our bodies we are fixing them. The only transitioning going on is your lifestyle. The purpose of this is to get out of the DSM and into the medical books here in the US and other countries so that all insurance companies will cover it. If we simplify the terminology we all stand to gain. The word homosexual has been shortened to one three letter word "gay". Everyone understands it immediately. Let's hope for the same with GSM. Does it sound good to you? What are your thoughts. We can do this guys for the good of us all.

[Montie5646]

If I read you right, You want to change the word terms so ins. will pay for sex change operation. I really dont think that would make Ins. componies to pay! First, It's not a disease like cancer. Some may say a mental disease, but not a disease. And second, You will not be in a life or death situation. They are never going to pay! So no matter what you call it, no change!

[rachl]

Rachl thank you for taking the time to respond. The word or words should be straight forward and non confusing. That is why I came up with GSM (Gender Sex Misalignment). We are talking about here is who we are not our sexual oreintation or expression. Orientation is completely different from GSM, which is about ones self. Who you are attracted to is not based on your sex. Expression is a individual thing based on how you want the world to see you and that is special to each individual. GSM is the situation we find ourselves in due to some biological mix up. Where this all started no one seems to know, but if DNA is the building block somewhere in the code something happened that created the situation we find ourselves in. How it happened maybe important but how ever it happened we have to deal with this variation of the human being. As I have been told Gender refers to the brain of the individual and sex to the vessel its carried in. Thus the term gender and sex. Misalignment is nothing more than the two parts not being in agreement. The brain is the main controller and end terminus of the entire system. If it identifies as female than you are female no matter what is between your legs. The problem begins when you become aware of it and the internal system can't correct it. We are left to external means to correct the DNA mistakes. We are not transitioning our bodies we are fixing them. The only transitioning going on is your lifestyle. The purpose of this is to get out of the DSM and into the medical books here in the US and other countries so that all insurance companies will cover it. If we simplify the terminology we all stand to gain. The word homosexual has been shortened to one three letter word "gay". Everyone understands it immediately. Let's hope for the same with GSM. Does it sound good to you? What are your thoughts. We can do this guys for the good of us all.

Gender is as lot more complicated than "it's in the brain, and sex is in the body," but at least you've given me something to think about. Typically, we separate gender into the following parts: expression, role, performance, identity, and attribution.

Gender expression is how one chooses to express one's gender: how do you like to signal to the world your gender?

Gender role involves things like how you fit into society based on your gender. (There's a lot of stupid bowing to stereotypes here, of course.)

Gender performance is recognizing that Judith Butler was on to something: there are some aspects to gender where we fully choose to adopt certain behaviours and tastes, and in a sense, we 'perform' our gender rather than simply embody it.

Gender identity is the one we're most familiar with: it's which gender one most stably identifies with. Of course, one need not accept a strict binary here.

Gender attribution is what gender people attributes to oneself: how does the world perceive you?

So you can see why it's simplistic to say "gender is in the brain." Gender attribution is a feature of other people, and gender role is almost entirely social.

So let's assume that we go with GSM: how do we describe people who want to transition as a response to GSM? One might think that there are mild cases of GSM and who will socially transition without any desire to physically transition. What terms would you use to distinguish between these?

[M777a]

Gender is as lot more complicated than "it's in the brain, and sex is in the body," but at least you've given me something to think about. Typically, we separate gender into the following parts: expression, role, performance, identity, and attribution.

(response)
The human machine is a very complex system. The brain the most complex. Mankind has come along in understanding its operation, but there is alot more to be discovered. Brain mapping has taken place, but mapping of the individual neuron pathways is a daunting task and their relation to the individual. Percise location of the ones in relation to ones sex are shrouded in theroy for now,but continued progress in medical science will someday lead to how this mix up takes place. If DNA is the instructions in the construction of the human vessal, than would not the code that tells you your sex obviously be a part of it? As has been said so many times "as early as I can remember I knew I was female". The separation of gender into the parts listed still refer to brain activity. Thus the general use of the term refering to the brain.

Gender expression is how one chooses to express one's gender: how do you like to signal to the world your gender?

(response)
True statement, but not to be confused with the general use of the term. Just as cancer has many types people still understand the word without knowing specific details. Simply stated that informing someone of your situation may be more understandable and more readily explained with the term Gender Sex Misalignment (GSM).

Gender role involves things like how you fit into society based on your gender. (There's a lot of stupid bowing to stereotypes here, of course.)

(response)
Good thing to know, but isn't this more of societal construct imposed on people? Not a true subset of gender when refering to oneself.

Gender performance is recognizing that Judith Butler was on to something: there are some aspects to gender where we fully choose to adopt certain behaviours and tastes, and in a sense, we 'perform' our gender rather than simply embody it.

(response)
Isn't that based on what we see and experience? Again a brain activity.

Gender identity is the one we're most familiar with: it's which gender one most stably identifies with. Of course, one need not accept a strict binary here.

(response)
The most important subset and the one most used to explain gender. Ones identity is the base from which all roles, expression, and experiences start.

Gender attribution is what gender people attributes to oneself: how does the world perceive you?

(response)
Unfortunately for us the situation we find ourselves in will send mixed visual cues that will need to be dealt with. While GSM may not be complete in its definition on its face, once the term gets more familiar with the public visual cues maybe altered for easier passing.

So you can see why it's simplistic to say "gender is in the brain." Gender attribution is a feature of other people, and gender role is almost entirely social.

(response)
True, but are they preceiving sex more than gender? Are we adding two subsets that are more based on anatomical cues?

So let's assume that we go with GSM: how do we describe people who want to transition as a response to GSM? One might think that there are mild cases of GSM and who will socially transition without any desire to physically transition. What terms would you use to distinguish between these?

(response)
Under GSM a male or female isn't transitioning. They are correcting a flaw brought on by corrupted code in the genetic system. GSM is more directed at the individual who is seeking anatomical correctness to the best the medical profession can provide. The individual still can choose to what level they wish to attain without being a subset of GSM. 

[Constance]

Rachl, there's some great stuff you've presented here. I've had to think on it for a while before being able to reply.

I still think that it's safe to say that "gender is in the brain." Here's why...

My gender identity is how I perceive myself. How I express and perform that gender identity is based on conscious decisions that I make based on my identity and my perception of gender roles.

But at the same time, gender roles are based on concepts constructed by society. Likewise with attribution, or how the world perceives me. These are still in the brain, just in the brains of others around me.

So, yes, it is simplistic to say that gender is between the ears and sex is between the legs. But, it is accurate in its simplicity, to me.

Furthermore, to say that my sex and my gender are currently misalligned is a great way to describe my need for transition.

Thank you, Rachl. Yours was very thought provoking post.

[M777a]

If I read you right, You want to change the word terms so ins. will pay for sex change operation. I really dont think that would make Ins. componies to pay! First, It's not a disease like cancer. Some may say a mental disease, but not a disease. And second, You will not be in a life or death situation. They are never going to pay! So no matter what you call it, no change!

Sorry Montie5646 for not responding sooner to your post. First off, you are not fully understanding what I am trying to do. The medical part of this discussion entails the use of the term so that insurance companies will  cover both the medical and psychological treatment nessicary for the patients with GSM. Your right this is not a disease, but like a child born with the bone in his/her face malformed insurance mostly covers the surgeries to fix it. Maybe a better example is someone who has been badly burned. I am sure they didn't chose to have that happen to them, but insurance covers the plastic surgery to correct the damage as well as the therapy to deal with it. We didn't chose what happened to us but insurance should help with the cost. If it is in the medical books then insurance will cover both treatment requirements.
        Your second point that  this isn't a life and death issue is off the mark. The study done by the University of Nebraska Medical Center were of 92 GSM respondents, 75% had thought of or attempted suicide. I would consider that a life or death situation.
       Change can only happen when we all work together to make it so.

[rachl]

Rachl, there's some great stuff you've presented here. I've had to think on it for a while before being able to reply.

I still think that it's safe to say that "gender is in the brain." Here's why...

My gender identity is how I perceive myself. How I express and perform that gender identity is based on conscious decisions that I make based on my identity and my perception of gender roles.

But at the same time, gender roles are based on concepts constructed by society. Likewise with attribution, or how the world perceives me. These are still in the brain, just in the brains of others around me.

So, yes, it is simplistic to say that gender is between the ears and sex is between the legs. But, it is accurate in its simplicity, to me.

Furthermore, to say that my sex and my gender are currently misalligned is a great way to describe my need for transition.

Thank you, Rachl. Yours was very thought provoking post.

Okay, we really need to stop talking this way. First, it's assuming something yet to be supported by evidence. Second, it's utterly unhelpful. I'm asking about what language people would like used to describe trans persons (of various kinds), and I'm getting nearly nothing in response.

By way of example, gender roles are not entirely social: some people feel a long-standing desire to take on a given gendered role, and this can't be entirely socially constructed or socially imposed on the person: it comes from within (for some people). How you express your gender identity isn't only up to conscious decisions you've made: there are all sorts of non-conscious influences from friends, family, media, and society at play. It's just unrealistic to place it all in one's psychology (and one's volitional psychology, at that). Moreover, this "psychology" vs "biology" is a bull->-bleeped-<- distinction, and has been shown to be problematic for decades now. I know that most (all?) of you haven't read up on all of those developments, but maybe you can just take my word for it.

@M777a: I just gave you the standard definitions of those terms. You seem to think that everything is reducible to brain activity: not everyone agrees. Moreover, it's, again, NOT HELPFUL to think that way. In fact, it's harmful. The fight for respect and human rights doesn't go through neuroscience. You're also, erroneously, assuming that all trans persons experience what you experience; namely, that they've always felt as being in the wrong sexed body. But that ignores scores of "emergent" trans person (of which I am one) who didn't feel that way as a child. You're assuming that people are born with GSM and so people don't "transition" because they were always that gender, but that doesn't describe my experience (nor other people I know). You're assuming, with no evidence, that GSM is genetic!

I don't understand why you even wrote your post the way you did. I gave those terms to help you separate out the different aspects of gender, and instead you disagree or misunderstood essentially every term. You also didn't respond to my question: what language would you use to describe people with various degrees of GSM? You've tried to avoid talk of 'transitioning,' but we can't do that: it is a transition. You're assuming an essentialist position on personal identity, one which doesn't square with the evidence (and it's metaphysically implausible: philosopher, remember?).

Right now we use "transsexual" to describe someone (let's say) with GSM who chooses to medically transition. We use other terms for people who may have the same internal feeling of gender/sex discord but don't choose to medically transition. I hate the term 'transsexual' and I'm working towards new language there too: what should we use? GSM is an improvement over GID, but it doesn't address the wider concerns.

[Susan]

This is a good place to start at least as far as this web site goes....

[Constance]

Forgive me, Rachl, I was merely trying to present my point of view.

[rachl]

This is a good place to start at least as far as this web site goes....

I'm well aware of those terms and how they're employed. My point is that I've heard a lot of people upset with the terminology currently being used to describe trans people (and other options), mostly because they were terms imposed upon us by psychiatrists etc.

I've also heard people explicitly bemoan that we have no power to change that. But they're wrong: people like me write academic papers, attend conferences, and advise policy makers on things like which language to use and why. So I'm offering my time to this cause, if people would only speak to what terms they would prefer to the standard selection, such as those in the link.

Edit: Here's another example: SRS is now coming to be called "Gender Confirmation Surgery," particularly by people in our community. However, I think that this is a bad thing: one cannot "confirm" someone's gender through surgery. One can alter someone's "sexed" or "gendered" body, but the surgery itself doesn't "confirm" anything: one feels the same gender before and after the surgery. What's changed is that one's body is brought into alignment with how one feels one's body should be. So it's closer to "Sex-Gender Alignment Surgery." (My term.)

[vlmitchell]

Short short answer from me: the terms at the end of the link that Susan provided fit what I know and am fine with. Personally, I use transsexual when I refer to myself because I seem to have forgotten to care about it all that much.  Oh, and the doctors use that term so it's kinda the accepted norm... just sayin'.

In general, I want the terms on that page to stick more or less because making it more and more and more complicated misses the point entirely for my purposes: making it commonly understood and acceptable to those who aren't. Trying to sum up the horror, terror, confusion, joy, and simply uncommon experience that is who and what I am in a single term or phrase is silly but, to my way of thinking, there are enough commonalities with myself and the rest of the girls who go through HRT/electro/whatever to get their weird mental/physical sense aligned that using a common term to make it clear that there are quite a few of us out in the world to the population that sees us as strange... well... it's just necessary if we want the kind of acceptance and whatnot that most T folk care for. While I like GSM or some of the other terms a little more, transsexual works well enough. Getting all fed up with each other because the term doesn't really say who/what they are inside is odd to me because there is likely no such term outside of your name.

[Susan]

You sound like you have an agenda, one all about making the fact that we are doing something the vast majority of the public will always consider taboo less offensive, basically you are trying to make a trout smell less like a trout, by calling it a rose. Sorry it isn't going to work, at least until we can biologically prove that there is a physical source for all of this. Even so most people will want to fix it making us accept gender norms, instead of letting us just be our true selves.

The terms for this site are set in stone until I change it. It will take something pretty significant for me to become willing to reopen that loaded bear trap.

[vlmitchell]

Susan: Was that to me or the OP? *laughs a little* I *agree* with the site terms.

[M777a]

Hello again everyone, sorry it took so long to respond. I took a little time to think through what Gender Sex Misalignment (GSM) was all about. First I would like to address transitioning. The word itself does accurately describe what we go through during the process. The reason I have changed my view on this is when you put it in the context like a child transitioning into an adult. Then it makes perfect since. The word then has the meaning of change rather than cross.
     The second point is the word transsexual. Though the meaning to us is understood, the general public reacts to the prefix trans, as to cross, and sexual as ones orientation. Possibly thinking pose as a girl but still be a boy. Crossing between the two. Whatever their thoughts may be, the term is confusing. Unfortunately for us we too can suffer that confusion.
     I have finally realized that GSM deals solely with the binary male-female.  I am not saying that one has to have the surgery to be complete. That decision has to be left with the individual. The term is for ease of understanding of all involved. After thinking on it abit I would like to see the term in both the medical and psychological books since both professions are needed to help one through this. It needs to be in the medical books so that all insurance will help cover the main surgeries, hopefully giving the individual comfort in knowing it is attainable.
     I would like to address comments made by Rachl. You have said I was assuming this was genetic with out any proof. The only research I have seen or heard was brain dissection after a GSM person has died. They would look at the hypothalamus, saying it was smaller in woman and trying to relate it to GSM. The study was inconclusive due to the effects prescribed hormones had on it. The only other research I had heard of was of a child in uterus where a biological wash made the brain male to match the body. The study was again inconclusive. I am sure other research has or if it is going on, has not reached the people needing it. My assumption/reasoning is sound. To paraphase Sir Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes "When you take away all that it possible than what is left, no matter how improbable must be the truth.". With out the finanical means this research is low on the totem pole.
     Rachl I also get the feeling that I am attacking you. That can't be further from the truth. I am questioning definitions. Sometimes you take them point by point for better clarity. Take look at what you are saying in your response to my post. Communication is a brain activity so is thought. My question to you than is what organ allows us to contemplate the natural world? The words we use to define ourselves are learned so that we can better communicate. When the word doesn't make sense we seek a better one. This is thought, a brain activity. When the brain malfunctions, biologically or psychologically, there is a problem. The thoughts, pyschological, and the brain, biological, are not exclusive of each other.
      Finally Rachl you took a quote of mine out of context. The quote:"As has been said so many times "as early as I can remember I knew I was female".". That was taken from a post I made on May 28th, 2012. That was an example not what everyone feels or has felt. It is a phrase commonly used. You comments on SRS are enlightening. Your term Sex Gender Alignment Surgery is a good one goes well with GSM.
      Susan your post sounds resigned to the world but at the same time authoritarian. Correct me if I am wrong, but basic human rights are just that. Every person no matter what should be given some dignity. The human race at sometime will realize variation in humans is more common than not. Ours is just obvious. No word should be set in stone. Be open to new ideas. You may have not meant it the way you said it but it sure comes across that way. Change is always slow, but I hope science will help.

[LordKAT]

Just a note, if something is in the medical 'books' , does not mean insurance will pay for it. Exclusions are made all the time. You can get insurance to cover many things not in medical books also. You may pay through the nose for it but it can be done.

[M777a]

I am sure just because it's in the medical books doesn't mean insurance will help pay, but if it isn't there then you can be assured it will not be. You have to start somewhere. Each hurdle brings its own challenges.

[Naturally Blonde]

Hello everyone. I am doing an inquiry into the terminology currently being used to describe the situation we are in.  The current words used are transsexual, transgender, Gender Identity Disorder (GID), and Gender Identity Dysphoria (also known as GID).  The terms transsexual and transgender are used interchangebly  but their definitions are not. According to my therapist gender refers to the brain and sex to ones anatomy. The prefix trans means to cross. My view is that I am not crossing to anything but correcting what was not done by biological events. GID  is a term found in the DSM to describe a mental condition. Guys we are not mental. The term I would like to see used is Gender Sex Misalignment or GSM for short. The reason for this is to get us out of the DSM and into the medical books so that insurance would cover what needs to be done. I would like your input on this. Thank you for your help. M777a

Yea, I hate some of the terminology, especially 'Transwomen' or 'Transman' which sounds like something from a Sci Fi movie!  those definitions suck!

The terms 'Transsexual' and '->-bleeped-<-' often get lumped together as though people perceive it to be the same thing. 'Gender Dysphoria' which is the true term seems more exceptable. I class myself as female and don't volunteer to out myself using of these terms which are usually degrading or viewed by the some of the general public as sexual deviant lifestyle choices rather than a true medical condition.

[M777a]

Thanks Naturally Blonde for your response. Loved the way you put things, especially about outing ones self. My only hitch would be with gender dysphoria. Sounds a little mental don't you think. That is why I am trying to find a better term like Gender Sex Misalignment (GSM). Again thanks for taking the time to post.

[M777a]

Returning to the scene of the crime so to speak. Haven't posted in awhile. I hope people are reading this far and would take time to post. The last time I posted some 700 views had taken place, now there is over 800. I truly value inputs so please take a moment to respond its really appreciated. I would like to add food for thought now. Has anyone else been told about the male /female binary or has there been other categories created? I would classify these other categories as feel good categories. The truth be told there is only the male/female binary and anything else must be forms of expression that should not confused with ones sex. This is in no way a put down to someone who wants to express themselves as feminine but they are not GSM. We must face the facts that women don't have penises. To take hormones and not seeking the surgical correction than you would still be male. Only the binary exists and to play both sides seems deceptive, which is one of the main reasons society frowns on our condition. Definitions become important to the world's understanding so complicating them with categories outside of the natural binary we become self isolating. This does not help us. What are your thoughts? Please take a moment to respond. Thank you.

[kathy bottoms]

This is kind of all over the place.  But I just need to say it whether anyone reads it or not. 

Self isolation is in many ways just self protection.  As with animals, the human race will subconsciously isolate or expell any individual that doesn't fit the societal norm.  To avoid expulsion, and the subsequent loss of the benefits provided by society, those individuals being threatened will adapt by accepting a less desirable roll, or by just hiding.

All of us know we are fully capable of functioning and dealing with society from within an operating shell we created for ourselves.  This is absolutely normal, and we do it to protect ourselves from those who would further denigrate us, isolate us, or suffer harm from that rare individual who finds pleasure in physical confrontation in order to cleanse society as they view it.  I know those people are despicable.  They really see nothing wrong with forced isolation, harassment, and in some cases physically beating (or killing) other members of society who they believe pose some strangely perceived danger.  These despicable people are generally not liked by the majority of the society group, but they are for some reason more tolerated, and less isolated, and they are rarely expelled. 

The vast majority of people around us will never fully welcome us, and we will always be marginalized.  I've been hiding in plain sight for so long that it saddens me to think about it.  But that's what we do to survive.  No term or legal protection will change how that despicable but more tolerated portion of society harasses us, while the majority of the group ignores us.   For that reason I'll leave terminology up to others, and just try to use terms that will NOT denigrate, or further isolated my family, friends, acquaintances, and anyone who is part of my society subset.

I have never been in a position where I ever felt I had to seriously contemplate ending my life.  I HAVE thought about why it could be one of my options, but that was 40 or more years ago when drinking was a big problem.  But, there was always a reason to go on, and head for a bright spot that I either found in reality, or manufactured in my mind.  When I was young there were fewer words to describe the way I sometimes acted.  Most common term was Queer, but that was better than the ever present call of ->-bleeped-<-got by some Cretan.  The derogatory name calling today is much worse and more deliberately hurtfull.  I can't imagine how painful life can be for a young person struggling with gender.  And I see very little honest support or protection for these kids.  If they don't feel safe, and they can't understand why there is no safe place for them, they will run and hide to contemplate the worst.  God I wish I could find the right words for sadness......

Name calling does hurt deeply, either face to face or behind someones back.  I always found it odd that the terms and name calling didn't apply to who I was.  I guess the hurt was more from being called something I wasn't, and not really knowing what I was.  Just having a new name for me wont change things, and after all this time it will never make me feel better about anything in my past, or the prosects for society accepting me in the future.  I'll just try to use the accepted terms for now, and I know I'll even fail at that.

This may sound stupid.   I don't know you, yet I care about all of you.   Just love yourself a little more today, and call yourself whatever you want.

Love, Kathy