http://candiussellcorner.blogspot.com/2012/08/gender-dysphoria.html (http://candiussellcorner.blogspot.com/2012/08/gender-dysphoria.html)
~snip~
QuoteTo my trans* readers...I'm sure you know exactly what Gender dyphoria is about, and you don't need me to tell you. However..in light of the new changes to the DSM 5 that is switching from "Gender identity disorder" to "Gender dysphoria" many people outside of the trans* community are starting to talk about it, think about it and come to me and my community; to ask about it.
That made me realize that while I go and do speaking engagements and tell people about being trans*; I never bring up dysphoria. In my attempts to normalize and express myself, I leave out the pain my gender incongruity brings me.
So...let's attempt to bring light to it. Shall we?
First...let's define gender:
One's sense of self as masculine or feminine regardless of external genitalia. Gender is often conflated with sex. This is inaccurate because sex refers to bodies and gender refers to personality characteristics.
A socially constructed system of classification that ascribes qualities of masculinity and femininity to people. Gender characteristics can change over time and are different between cultures. Words that refer to gender include: man, woman, transgender, masculine, feminine, and gender queer.
(as always with definitions...you are free to agree with these as stated, or disagree. This is my best attempt to define that which is pretty darn tough to define!)
Sevan really hits the nail on the head with this post.
Something I have always liked about Sevan is how well ze is able to explain such difficult concepts. :) That is an extremely well done post.