Sexual Abuse and Trans Identity

[KarlMars]

I wasn't sure where to put this and if it's not allowed I'm sorry. If it isn't just delete it.

Do you think that someone experiencing sexual abuse of any kind can cause them to become transgender?

[Reb_]

I'm not an expert, but I don't think gender dysphoria can come from abuse. It may trigger it, but it's something really deep that comes from who you are on the inside. You are who you are, but like any other person, it's hard to get to know you.
Trauma hurts you, breaks you, and may even ruin your life, but it can't change who you are. And, if you can overcome it, you can grow, and know yourself even more. You may be not okay for the rest of your life, but that IS ok, because you are you, and you can be happy even after all that, if let yourself be who you really are.
Then again, I know nothing to be honest.

[LizK]

I wasn't sure where to put this and if it's not allowed I'm sorry. If it isn't just delete it.

Do you think that someone experiencing sexual abuse of any kind can cause them to become transgender?

I experienced it at a crucial time in my life but by that stage I was already searching for answers as to why I knew I wanted to be/was a girl and how could I feel this way...I think I was more vulnerable to it because of my GD but it did not cause me to be trans as far as I know. I put this idea to my psychiatrist and he looked back over the notes he had taken and said to me (only a few years ago) you do realise the time line is all wrong don't you....I did on some level but just blamed the child abuse because it all fit together in a neat little package... maybe I could deal with the child abuse and the other stuff will go away??...dealt with the child abuse...end result still trans LOL

[KathyLauren]

I don't think so.  Being trans is something you are born with. 

But being trans can cause sexual abuse.  Even before we ourselves are aware of being trans, others can pick up signs of our being non-typical, which can cause them to use us as a victim.  It happened to me.

[FTMax]

No, 100% in agreement with Kathy.

I believe people are born trans, period. I can understand having self doubt and confusion as a result of abuse, but I don't think that would automatically lead someone to question their gender if they weren't already trans to begin with. If that makes sense.