Medical Models and Watching Our Language

[Shana A]

Medical Models and Watching Our Language
Mik Danger

http://coffeeandgender.blogspot.com/2008/05/medical-models-and-watching-our.html

Tomorrow evening I will be traveling to Philadelphia for the 7th Annual Trans-Health Conference (I know, for once I post before an event happens!). As I perused the workshops offered at this three-day event I realized that for a while I had/have been trapped in the conundrum of discussing transgender identity within a medical model. A lot of issues for trans folks revolve around the medical and legal establishments, and as much as I hate this emphasis it becomes a necessity in a society that consistently demands documentation for all activities. My new NY ID card, which has a much longed-for "M" in the sex category, allows me access to men's restrooms in clubs – a privilege consistently denied me in Minnesota where I was kicked out of multiple men's restrooms.*