The "T" in LGBT: What Does "Transgender" Mean?
SUNDAY, JULY 22, 2012
by Rose Rigole

http://thechangesforlife.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-t-in-lgbt-what-does-transgender-mean.html

Imagine going into surgery for an appendectomy.  When you come back to consciousness after surgery, you realize that something is different: you have been mistakenly given gender reassignment surgery (AKA, a sex change).

How do you feel?  If you are not upset about the reassignment, maybe you decide to identify and express yourself as this new gender.  If you are disturbed by this gender reassignment, feeling like your true gender does not match this new gender, we call this "gender dysphoria."

....As you can tell from the thought exercise, gender identity has nothing to do with who you are attracted to.

....Although gender dysphoria may be incredibly painful, it is very possible to live a fulfilling, happy, well-adjusted life as a transgender person.  Many of my transgender clients have worked through their initial fears, societal barriers, and shame, and are respected members of their families, circles of friends, and work teams.  Living a life as their true gender, they are now feeling a sense of freedom, acceptance and authenticity that they only dreamed of in the past.