TS & TG - please help...

[Russ]

Can someone please explain to me what the difference between transGENDER and tranSEXUAL is? 

[Sandi]

Transsexual is specific I.E. GID (Gender Identity Disorder). Another specific term would be ->-bleeped-<- (or Crossdresser). Transgender is a broader term encompassing Transsexuals and ->-bleeped-<-s, and can include several others terms, for instance Drag Queens.

To make a paralell comparison, Transsexual (specific) is to Transgender (broad term), what a Ford (specific) is to automobile (broad term).

Hope that is plain enough.


Sandi

[stephanie_craxford]

The word "Transgender" (TG) has become to be know as the umbrella term to cover all those who identify as CD (Cross-Dresser), TV (->-bleeped-<-), TS (Transsexual), Drag queen, etc...  We are all a part of this group.

A "Transsexual" (TS) is a person who has GID (Gender Identity Disorder/Dysphoria).

Check out the Wiki here for a more detailed explanation of the terms:

Transgender

Transsexual

Chat later

Steph

[Russ]

Ok.. thank you. Will reply to this when I've read the bits Steph recommended.

xf

[gina_taylor]

I really do feel that both Sandi and Stephanie have really hit it good with the definitions here. I really couldn't have said it better my self.  Yes Stephanie, everything does literally fall from the TRANSGENDER umbrella. Once open out falls: TRANSSEXUAL. ->-bleeped-<-, CROSS-DRESSER, DRAG-QUEEN, etc. It's basically where we really feel that we fit into the continum of this lifestyle. But tell me though, is it possible for a cross-dresser to be diagnosed with GID or is it just confind to strictly transsexuals?

Gina 

[Melissa]

Additionally, one may prefer to call themselves transgendered if the either don't solidly fall into a category or prefer to obfuscate their position in the gender spectrum.

Melissa

[Robyn]

>But tell me though, is it possible for a cross-dresser to be diagnosed with GID or is it just confind to strictly transsexuals?

>Gina 

I think the answer to that is a definite yes, Gina, but then the equation is changed.  Once one realizes that he or she wants/needs more than to visit the other gender, needs to be the other gender, the line has been crossed,

There are probably many transsexuals who - in denial - have said, "I'm 'just' a crossdresser," before hitting some bump in the road that catalyzed their transition."

I remember my ex saying, "When you move west without me, you'll be full time in no time."

Ha!  Was she ever wrong!  It was 6 whole months before I went full time.   

Robyn

[stephanie_craxford]

... Once open out falls: TRANSSEXUAL. ->-bleeped-<-, CROSS-DRESSER, DRAG-QUEEN, etc. It's basically where we really feel that we fit into the continum of this lifestyle.

Just to clarify issues a little further Gina, Being transsexual is not a lifestyle, whereas TV, CD, Drag Queens, and Kings are.

Steph

[TheBattler]

Just to clarify issues a little further Gina, Being transsexual is not a lifestyle, whereas TV, CD, Drag Queens, and Kings are.

Steph

I would have to disagree with the above. I did not chosse to be a CD, CDism chose me. If I had a choice right now I would get rid of my growing feminine wardrobe. Unfortunatly that would put me back to Janurary - very miserable. My theripst is not giving me any answers to why I like to wear skirts - she just says it is not hurting anyone so just enjoy.  Well it sometimes hurts me mentaly. If I knew the why I could get rid of it and be a happy guy. For now wearing a skirt keeps me sane and I think a lot if CDs would feel the same.

Al

[Dersi]

In my short experience I grasped this tiny thing I believe:

Some long term or full CDs are actually lwo intensity transsexual, mening there is some ammount of GID. But they wont need to go ahead more than they are (or maybe they need but dont know)

Remember there are a lot of type of persons in this world.

[TheBattler]

Remember there are a lot of type of persons in this world.

I believe you where trying to say there are many types of people in the world which is very true. That is why Step can not make general comments and say all CDs have made a life choice.

Al

[stephanie_craxford]

I believe you where trying to say there are many types of people in the world which is very true. That is why Steph can not make general comments and say all CDs have made a life choice.

Al

I'm afraid I can and I did   Lets agree to disagree Al.  I was not referring to people I was referring to the conditions which are all curable with proper therapy, if the person chooses.  I did not choose to be transsexual, I was born and diagnosed with the condition, a condition that is incurable.  I don't believe that people are born CD, TV, or into Drag and I have yet to see any documentation that states or supports this.  I would have to dispute that you had no free will and that cross-dressing chose you.

Just my humble opinion

Steph

[Sandi]

 Personally I think the word "Lifestyle" is way over used and has taken on several new meanings from the original conveyance.

A few decades ago it simply meant a persons wealth, or means. Now it has become a PC word relating to social attitudes and values, or social attractiveness. I believe some even us it to define social classes or groupings. Even to disparage some people.

My guess it it also means different things to different people, which may be why we ran into contentions with it here in this thread. It is therefore my belief that if you substitute a different word, with a more stable meaning you will be less understood, and thus fewer misunderstandings.

So anyway I find the word distastefull and quit using it some time ago. I refuse to use it.

Oops I just did! 

[stephanie_craxford]

Great point Sandi, I agree.

Annnnnnnnd for our viewing audience here is a current definition of "Lifestyle":

In sociology, a lifestyle is the way a person (or a group) lives. This includes patterns of social relations, consumption, entertainment, and dress. A lifestyle typically also reflects an individual's attitudes, values or worldview.

Having a specific "lifestyle" implies a conscious or unconscious choice between one set of behaviours and some other sets of behaviours.

Steph

[Shannon]

Transgender is definitely the umbrella term that indentify all the following groups: ->-bleeped-<-s (TV's) transsexuals (TS's), drag queens and androgynes (GT's), or so-called gender transient "in-betweenies."   

A transsexual is a person who has GID (Gender Identity Disorder/Disphoria).   

I agree with Sandi about using the term "lifestyle" and how society overuses this term and that it has taken on several different meanings over the past several years from its original conveyance.   Good point Sandi! 

Shannon

[umop ap!sdn]

is it possible for a cross-dresser to be diagnosed with GID or is it just confind to strictly transsexuals?

I haven't seen CDs express the dislike for the characteristics of their birth gender that I have come to understand the term GID to mean. Psychologists would AFAIK look for the symptoms as they're described in the HBGIDA so ideally it should be rare to incorrectly diagnose someone as TS when in fact they're really a CD. I would think though that HRT and RLT would tend to clarify the distinction even more.

(Looks like my post has turned into quite the alphabet soup. )

My theripst is not giving me any answers to why I like to wear skirts - she just says it is not hurting anyone so just enjoy.  Well it sometimes hurts me mentaly.

Have you told that to your therapist?  Don't feel bad, because if I were in that situation I'd be uncomfortable with it, especially at first. It is certainly a natural response to society's taboos and peer pressure system. But they're wrong - there's nothing bad about it, actually I can see in your picture that you look like someone who's doing something they enjoy, and that's what matters.

[Kate Thomas]

"Choice" seems to be what lifestyle boils down to.  to me the only choice i have is to embrace CDing and accept myself for who i am, provide a much needed emotional outlet.
or
Repress my CDing and deny myself an identity, deny emotional support

the need/desire to dress is not going to go away

Is there an effective treatment for transvestism?

as i see it my only choice is what color to wear.

I dont like sitting under umbrellas so i will  chose a color and sit upon the rainbow.
Its brighter has more room and  gives me a chance to reflect upon things.

Kate Alice
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
an added thought
For me it is about identity and not about activity (sex)
i need to identitfy and express myself as a woman.  I cannot tell you why, only that it is a need.
K.A.

[TheBattler]

I'm afraid I can and I did   Lets agree to disagree Al.  I was not referring to people I was referring to the conditions which are all curable with proper therapy, if the person chooses.  I did not choose to be transsexual, I was born and diagnosed with the condition, a condition that is incurable.  I don't believe that people are born CD, TV, or into Drag and I have yet to see any documentation that states or supports this.  I would have to dispute that you had no free will and that cross-dressing chose you.

Just my humble opinion

Steph

I agree that we can dissagree. It not just like one day I decided I wanted to wear a dress and be more feiminine. Feelings had been building up for a long time before they got the better of me. Perhaps the different between us is that I as Shelly once said have 'two genders in one' where as yourself is definatly female.

Have you told that to your therapist?  Don't feel bad, because if I were in that situation I'd be uncomfortable with it, especially at first. It is certainly a natural response to society's taboos and peer pressure system. But they're wrong - there's nothing bad about it, actually I can see in your picture that you look like someone who's doing something they enjoy, and that's what matters.

My therapist knows I strugle from time to time. I have my bad days but good days allways follow. The night in question the picture was taken it was easy to have a great night with lot of friends, lot of drinks and all guys in a dress . Just perfect for me. Even though I really was not into cross dressing at the time every said I look good/natural in my skirt. I wonder what they would think now.

Alan

Alice

[Melissa]

I think cross-dressers may experience a very low intensity of transsexualism meaning then have a compelling force that makes them want to be feminine and dress up, but not enough to hate their bodies.

Melissa

[gina_taylor]

Thanks Robyn for clearing that up for me. That really makes alot of sense, that when one crosses the line that has catalyzed their transition. I used to consider myself a cross-dresser, but now I am transsexual, and very soon I will be going full time. Just a matter of getting everything into place first.

I'm sorry Stephanie, I must have slipped. I forgot that being a transsexual is just a part of our beings, but then again I was just reading an old post where the poster was concerned about the word "lifestyle' and the fact that this is our lives and it's not something that we have choosen, like a style of clothing. So technically people can't call being transgendered a lifestyle.

Gina