transgender vs transsexual

[Adio]

A couple years ago, a few trans folk worked to replace the term 'transsexual' and 'gender identity disorder', to Henry Benjamin Syndrome.  For some reason it never caught on.  I actually like the Syndrome idea as it speaks to a medical condition vs. a disorder or anything with 'sexual' in the term.  I've even used the syndrome designation in explaning my situation to ones that I knew would not understand otherwise.

Actually HBS (Harry Benjamin Syndrome) is an intersex condition, different from transsexualism (transgender) or gender identity disorder.  It probably didn't catch on because it was a specific condition that doesn't fit most trans people.  But that's just speculation, I don't know the exact reasons why the term isn't used.

[cynthialee]

My issue with HBS is that it has been adopted by a group of trans folks already. They believe that SRS is the defining element of what they call 'true transsexuals'. Those who do not place primary importance to SRS above all other concerns typicaly get labeled as men.

Even though some of us are not impressed with the results and want to wait for better surgery techniques, they get called men. Those women who have medical reasons to be non op are called men. Even if it would cost your life they seem to believe that a true transwoman would place srs abouve any concern for health. If you have any reason for not getting or desireing srs then you are a man.

So I think I will pass on HBS as a designator for the issue.

[mowdan6]

The reason I like the Henry Benjamin Syndrome disignation is because, I am one of the minority within a minority, that knows only complete surgery will allow me to finally feel comfortable within my own skin.  I know most transguys, once they have chest surgery, that is all they need to be themselves.  I wish that was true for myself.  Would make life alot easier.  Life did get easier after my chest surgery in 06, but I am one of the few that know.....I need it all.  Just the way it is.  Does'nt make my journey any less or greater than anyone else's.  We all transition differently.  And always looking for the way to get those, in our lives, to understand, no matter the form, this IS a medical condition, not a choice. 

[Nathan.]

I've always concidered myself to be transsexual because transgender didn't make that much sense to me as it's not my gender that's changing it's my sex. I never liked the sexual bit of the word though because this hasn't got anything to do with that kind of sex, just my physical sex so i'm glad i've heard the term transsexed in this thread, i'm going to use that from now on.

[some ftm guy]

God forbid anyone trans have a sex drive. I am sure that a sex drive or any acknowledgement of sex whatsoever will scar you as a pervert forever.
God forbid anyone ever think a trans person has even thought about sex because sex is soooo dirty and disgusting.

BLAH

Sex is a natural and healthy part of the human existance.

well, sorry?
now i got someone mad at me.
yes it's true everyone from age 15 to the grave has a sex drive, and that it's normal but i was thinking of the wrong kind of people who would be asking what i meant about being trans if me saying I'm a guy wasn't enough. i agree with sarah7 though.