so are you a woman with out the operation

[Jenna Stannis]

There seems to be a curious debate about how far you need to go to validate your woman hood...

I guess you have to frame your question in terms of personal and public perceptions. Your own validation would come first and last if you don't give a damn about what others think. If you seek public validation currently, I can't see how you could avoid making the necessary physical changes.

[LizMarie]

On the social side, it's how we perceive ourselves and how we choose to present ourselves.

On the biological side of the question, in how we perceive ourselves, most of this is in our heads, quite literally, but there are no easy or cheap tests for it, short of a post-mortem on the brain.

What is known about most MTFs is that they have brain structure differences from other males. The differences in brain structure almost always closely resemble the structures in females.

Back in the dark ages of gender identity diagnosis, a doctor at Johns Hopkins (whose name escapes me at the moment) stated that we are born as blank slates and we learn our gender roles so all that matters is how you raise a child. This was put to the test in the infamous "John/Joan" case, where a male with a badly botched circision was surgically altered to be a girl and raised as a girl. This, of course failed, and by the age of 14 the child was prepared to commit suicide. Attempts were made to help the child and later as an adult, but as I recall the individual in question ultimately took his own life in his 30s.

Dr. Milton Diamond never believed this theory so he eventually followed up on the "John/Joan" case and discovered that it did not work out the way the theory said it should. And, it turns out, it didn't work out in many other cases as well. Further, Dr. Diamond has stated (in interviews) that scientists have subsequently forced transsexual behavior on animal species by raising the testosterone levels on female fetuses in the womb (and vice versa on male fetuses). In every case, despite being biologically of one sex, these animals would adopt the behaviors of the other sex.

This has led to extensive studies that show that transgender people, going both ways, MTF and FTM, have significant brain structure differences from others of the same biological sex. Since our sense of self is within the brain, we quite literally have female brains in male bodies or male brains in female bodies.

Some of the recent hormonal research is summarized here, in this presentation to the AMA in 2011 🔗 [Link: media01.commpartners.com/AMA/sexual_​identity_​jan_​2011/index.html/]. It's a long viewing, over an hour, but I highly recommend it.

Here is one image of just one brain region that is different in MTFs.



The image above is the central nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTc), in the thalamus. Note that heterosexual and homosexual males have nearly identical brain structures in that region. Note that biological females have very different structures in that region from those of the males. And finally note that MTF transsexuals have brain structures that are very close to the female's and nothing at all like the biological male's neurological structures.

So no, you are not just "gay".   And yes, being transsexual is a real medical condition for which there is treatment that works for those who suffer most. That treatment is HRT and transitioning to live in the gender with which you identify.

Reference from my blog: Biological differences in MTFs and cisgender males 🔗 [Link: lizdaybyday.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/biological-​differences-​in-​mtfs-​and-​cisgender-​males/]

[Jenna Stannis]

Yes, Liz, I am nit-picking a bit, but I felt compelled to comment on a couple of your points.

Since our sense of self is within the brain, we quite literally have female brains in male bodies or male brains in female bodies.

If I have this right, Daniel C. Dennett claims that our sense of self is an illusion created by independently functioning areas of the brain. Er... I'm sure I had a point to make here, but it now escapes me. I'll get back to you on this.

That treatment is HRT and transitioning to live in the gender with which you identify.

For what it's worth, I've been diagnosed as transsexual by two independent psychiatrists and one psychologist, who all specialised in gender. I have dressed since the age of 7. I have been on HRT for prolonged periods and loved it each time. I am basically a classic case. However, while I do like and prefer spending a lot of time socialising with women, I do not identify with them. For various reasons, I am also going to continue to present as a man.

Given all this, do I consider myself a woman? Well, I don't know -- it's complicated.

[vlmitchell]

Hmm.... well, I suppose that all depends on what you mean.

If you're talking about my personal perspective and stance, then yeah, I'm a woman. I get treated like one and act as one without discomfort as opposed to acting like a man (in any context or manner) where I experienced vast amounts of mental turmoil and distress. I tend to be very naturally accepted by society at large as a woman and I'm pretty darned pleased about it as it fits like a proverbial glove. I have, more or less, completely integrated myself into society as a woman and have no problem calling myself a woman.

Does that mean that I'm the exact same as a GG who went through socialization as a girl from day one, did the whole 'life as a teenage girl' thing, had to deal with the arrival of my period and then got to experience the joys (sarcasm) and pains (not) of life as a newly minted woman? Um. No. I can sympathize and identify with those experiences in some ways but there are others in which I will never and can never know in the same way that I don't know what it's like to be a black transwoman, a trans-dude of any sort, a cisgender person of any sort or whatever but just because I am not exactly like a GG doesn't mean that I'm not a woman, operative status or not.

So, as to those who say that the only point of transition is to get a hoo-ha (or, y'know, that one particular person who repeatedly says so), I respectfully request that you STFU. If you *must* have surgery to validate your own womanhood, go for it. If that's the only bar that you have to measure against in which you'd be able to call yourself a woman, then, I'm sincerely sorry for you because, really, if you can't and haven't gotten/accepted that gender != genital sex then I have nothing for your ignorance but to feel sorry for you that your identity is so firmly wound up in your junk.*

I totally want to get my SRS done because... umm... yay penises and cunilingus and all the other wonderful aspects of being able to have sex. Does this mean that I'm somehow *not* a woman before I have said surgery? No. It simply means that I'm a woman who can't have sex but can still pee standing up (if I want to make myself puke).

* If I wanna get a little snarky that's very much a manly trait... to wrap your identity up in your privates. I mean, I don't know any women (I asked my partner and various of my girlfriends based on this post) who think "yeah, my hoo-ha is totally the summation of my womanhood!" but I know that almost every man I've met defines his existence by his thingy and it's relative size to the average. 😀

[Just Shelly]

Hmm.... well, I suppose that all depends on what you mean.

If you're talking about my personal perspective and stance, then yeah, I'm a woman. I get treated like one and act as one without discomfort as opposed to acting like a man (in any context or manner) where I experienced vast amounts of mental turmoil and distress. I tend to be very naturally accepted by society at large as a woman and I'm pretty darned pleased about it as it fits like a proverbial glove. I have, more or less, completely integrated myself into society as a woman and have no problem calling myself a woman.

Does that mean that I'm the exact same as a GG who went through socialization as a girl from day one, did the whole 'life as a teenage girl' thing, had to deal with the arrival of my period and then got to experience the joys (sarcasm) and pains (not) of life as a newly minted woman? Um. No. I can sympathize and identify with those experiences in some ways but there are others in which I will never and can never know in the same way that I don't know what it's like to be a black transwoman, a trans-dude of any sort, a cisgender person of any sort or whatever but just because I am not exactly like a GG doesn't mean that I'm not a woman, operative status or not.

So, as to those who say that the only point of transition is to get a hoo-ha (or, y'know, that one particular person who repeatedly says so), I respectfully request that you STFU. If you *must* have surgery to validate your own womanhood, go for it. If that's the only bar that you have to measure against in which you'd be able to call yourself a woman, then, I'm sincerely sorry for you because, really, if you can't and haven't gotten/accepted that gender != genital sex then I have nothing for your ignorance but to feel sorry for you that your identity is so firmly wound up in your junk.*

I totally want to get my SRS done because... umm... yay penises and cunilingus and all the other wonderful aspects of being able to have sex. Does this mean that I'm somehow *not* a woman before I have said surgery? No. It simply means that I'm a woman who can't have sex but can still pee standing up (if I want to make myself puke).

* If I wanna get a little snarky that's very much a manly trait... to wrap your identity up in your privates. I mean, I don't know any women (I asked my partner and various of my girlfriends based on this post) who think "yeah, my hoo-ha is totally the summation of my womanhood!" but I know that almost every man I've met defines his existence by his thingy and it's relative size to the average. :-D

Yay!!!! Couldn't of worded it better!!

I would absolutely agree with the thinking of men. I would add that from my experience most men base any type of emotional connection on sex. Not just intimacy but straight out F*****G.

They can be 110% attracted to you physically and emotionally but if you can't do the act all that is forgotten!!

You could tell them the very first time you meet that you have something other women don't have.....but then they want nothing to do with you.

I will stop right here! I did write more but deleted it. I have recently had a very bad experience finding out what men really do want....and if you can't provide it...they definitely don't want you anymore!!

I wish as all hell my attraction was still to women....cause men are not too attractive at the moment!

[vlmitchell]

Yay!!!! Couldn't of worded it better!!

Uhhhh... thanks for the vote of confidence but I think you missed the point of my reply. 

To your points, not all men want things the way that you're talking about but if you can't share physical intimacy with someone, perhaps looking for a romantic engagement is something that you should put off until you can feel more comfortable with experimenting with what you've got or, barring that, waiting until post-op so that you can have a 'normal' relationship.

I hate to be blunt but, if you want guys, they're going to want sex unless they're seriously abnormal. It's not always a bad thing but it's like looking for a very tiny needle in a hay stack the size of Texas if you want a well adjusted man who doesn't want sex in a relationship.

(This message has been approved by my pansexual GG partner as a pretty good representation of Cis Guys)

[Just Shelly]

Uhhhh... thanks for the vote of confidence but I think you missed the point of my reply. 

To your points, not all men want things the way that you're talking about but if you can't share physical intimacy with someone, perhaps looking for a romantic engagement is something that you should put off until you can feel more comfortable with experimenting with what you've got or, barring that, waiting until post-op so that you can have a 'normal' relationship.

I hate to be blunt but, if you want guys, they're going to want sex unless they're seriously abnormal. It's not always a bad thing but it's like looking for a very tiny needle in a hay stack the size of Texas if you want a well adjusted man who doesn't want sex in a relationship.

(This message has been approved by my pansexual GG partner as a pretty good representation of Cis Guys)

Uhhh....ok!!

I'll have to remember this when my son is old enough to think he can have sex...which is now.

Son...just remember make sure you inform her that sex is required to continue dating!!

Ya this is a 15-18 year old....but what is the difference between a 19-28 year old???....or even older

I am sorry but I think there is somebody out there that doesn't place sex as the number one priority to continue a relationship....will it eventually have to happen....well yes probably. But who is to say how long....and I for one wish I was postop yesterday!!

and you know I have been putting off having any type of relationship for over 8 years....and since my transition I have now only accepted a tiny fraction of advances I may have received.

I guess I will  now ignore all possible friendship potentials with men....or at least tell them....well I'm not a real women!!!

Thank you!! I'll go crawl back in my hole I have been in for the last eight years!! or if you could provide me with the book on transitioning that would be even more helpful. I have no idea WTF I am doing.....I never thought I would want to be social again in my life....I am just trying.

UGH!! I think I will just get the f*** away from this site AGAIN.....it's not support!!!

[Nero]

UGH!! I think I will just get the f*** away from this site AGAIN.....it's not support!!!

I wouldn't go that far...

I don't think Victoria's saying all men are like that. But most adult men are. In fact, so are most adult women who are not virgins. Sex is just expected in most adult relationships. That doesn't mean it's the number one priority for most people. Most adult men and women can get laid outside of a relationship. But physical intimacy is a vital factor in relationships for most people. Sooner or later it's going to be expected by most. I don't see anything offensive about Victoria pointing that out.

[vlmitchell]

Oooookay, I'm going to address this point by point simply because you're obviously having a hard time and you've taken a lot of what I said out of context.

I guess I will  now ignore all possible friendship potentials with men....or at least tell them....well I'm not a real women!!!

I never said that you aren't a real woman. I'm implying that a normal/healthy romantic relationship with a member of the opposite sex, especially in this day and age tends to imply a sexual component. Sex is fun. Orgasms are great and there are plenty of things that you can do pre-op if you're ready for that experience. If not, you can certainly try but I wouldn't hold my breath for a lot of success. I'm here to support you (and really, given that I've successfully transitioned and have no real issues, that's the only reason I'm here) but I'm not here to blow smoke up your tush. You may be able to have what you want but it won't be easy to find and it'll be harder to find a guy that you don't have to compromise on who is totally cool with that limitation.

Ya this is a 15-18 year old....but what is the difference between a 19-28 year old???....or even older

There are quite a few differences between a romantic relationship as a teenager and such a relationship as an adult.

I am sorry but I think there is somebody out there that doesn't place sex as the number one priority to continue a relationship....

I doubt that many people place sex as the #1 priority but, if someone is interested in another person romantically, a good part of that is desire for that person sexually or there wouldn't be attraction in the first place. Franky, I'd hate to be with a guy who could completely suppress those urges because then the attraction would be more platonic and probably have less meaning. This is my opinion but, after having been with a number of guys, I'm pretty strong-minded about it.

and you know I have been putting off having any type of relationship for over 8 years....and since my transition I have now only accepted a tiny fraction of advances I may have received.

That's great! I'm glad that you're doing so. If you don't want to open up the possibility of sexual relationships, simply dating and then moving on when it's getting to that point is completely valid. You might even find someone by sifting through all the opportunities that you feel comfortable enough to move forward with regardless of operative status.

will it eventually have to happen....well yes probably. But who is to say how long....and I for one wish I was postop yesterday!!

This seems to be the most telling part of your response. I can feel your frustration with your situation and I can't speak to all the parts of it but a lot of it seems to be wound up in your belief that you couldn't do things pre-op. If you can't for reasons of your own, that's fine but if that's the case, I'd recommend making surgery a priority because your attitudes towards sex don't seem to be that you don't want it but more that you're afraid of it, unless I miss my mark.

Thank you!! I'll go crawl back in my hole I have been in for the last eight years!! or if you could provide me with the book on transitioning that would be even more helpful. I have no idea WTF I am doing.....I never thought I would want to be social again in my life....I am just trying.

UGH!! I think I will just get the f*** away from this site AGAIN.....it's not support!!!

You're obviously very afraid and I feel for you, I honestly do but I'm going to speak from my experience and my beliefs about how the world of relationships work. It's a lot more nuanced than what we've briefly covered here but if what you're looking for is a cheer leading squad who will tell you that the world will work in the very specific way that you're looking for, I don't think that's support though local TS support groups tend to be more in line with this kind of thinking, I don't think that it would be helpful to set up an expectation that isn't in line with the reality that I have observed in my life.

Being that you're very upset, I'll leave this here but I want you to know, if you read this, that I do support you and want you to be happy and will be happy to talk this out with you either here or in PM. It's not as bleak as you think.

[vlmitchell]

... but most adult men are. In fact, so are most adult women who are not virgins. Sex is just expected in most adult relationships. That doesn't mean it's the number one priority for most people. Most adult men and women can get laid outside of a relationship. But physical intimacy is a vital factor in relationships for most people. Sooner or later it's going to be expected by most.

Boom. This. Romantic relationships that want to go somewhere want physical intimacy. Physical intimacy is a wonderful and very important part of a romantic relationship and any such thing that lacks it is very incomplete and, to my opinion, not completely honest.

[Just Shelly]

(and really, given that I've successfully transitioned and have no real issues, that's the only reason I'm here).

and how is that.....

were you just upfront with anyone you met....told them right at the first meeting you were trans!! whether man or women and had no issues. Wow remarkable!

I think this is great to hear!!

So lets say just for example a guy (or girl) you have known for 4-6 months has begun to become attracted to you....they do not know of your past....because their was no reason for this!! So now you either tell them about your past or tell them your not interested!

ok lesson learned! Thank you so much my transition is now successful.

You know if you really knew me....I consider myself a very honest person and at first I thought I would live my life as just another trans women....but when I was accepted as nothing more than a women why should I have to tell people...."well...I'm really not a woman, I'm trans" ....and because I am an honest person I at first thought I was deceiving everyone I met...I then thought.... do women or men actually have to tell people they are women or men???  I take it either this is what you have done to be "successful" or you have just kept your mouth shut!

Not sure what the secret to your success is....but apparently it isn't anything like mine!

[vlmitchell]

Short answer: I'm a woman. I'm just trans and I don't have issues sharing that fact about my life. It's not a 'history' thing or a 'secret'. It's a medical condition that many, many people understand fully and those who don't can go do something vulgar with themselves. At most I get a 'Oh wow, I'd have never have guessed.' and then life resumes its normal pace and no one treats me like anything other than a normal chick. Seriously. No one gives a care in the world about it.

If you want to do the quasi-stealth thing, that's totally cool but you'll have to find someone else to give advice about it as I really don't have any experience in breaking the news to a romantic interest who has known you for quite a while but doesn't know about the trans thing.

Frankly, if you think that being trans makes you 'not a real woman' then you have some work to do on yourself before you want to move into relationships. The basis of your freak-outs on me seems to come from this place and, frankly, while I understand it on one level, you're going to have to face the music one of these days. You are *not* a normal woman. I wish that I were but I'm not. Neither are you. We don't have fully normative VJs even after the operation (which gives us an approximation at best), we don't get wombs, we have some anatomy weirdness, etc etc etc. That DOESN'T make us 'not real women' but it does make us women who have unique challenges and histories that aren't exactly the 'girl next door' kinda story.

I'm not 'loud and proud' about being trans. Frankly it's the same kind of thing to me as having red hair. It just is what it is and I've accepted it, made a slightly annoyed and little petulant peace with it, and moved on to live the rest of my life as authentically as I can with the full weight of who (me) and what (a pre-operative transsexual woman, a computer scientist, a partner, a lover, an artist and musician, a rollergirl, etc.) I am behind me. I'm not ashamed of anything and I'm not afraid of it either and I'm determined to make the best of every second I have on this rock because, as an atheist, I'm pretty sure that I only get one ride that works like this so wasting time worrying about things that really don't matter in the long run is a horrible betrayal of the gift of life as a human that I have.

I need some space on this so I won't respond for a while. Your energy is very difficult to process and your responses have been universally defensive and aggressive. I hope that you figure out what you need to do and how you need to do it though because you sound pretty miserable and that's a pretty terrible way to live life.

[stephaniec]

I'm a " pre-opt transitioning transgender" woman I've been a woman from the time of birth, I've been told by my wonderful therapist that I'm hard wired that way, I accept that reasoning and am very happy with it  .I happen to be bi. Not in a relationship right now but would love to be in one. I will have an operation when able. I take it day by day. If I meet some one great. Right now I'm just thrilled to be doing HRT. I'm probably at the most peaceful place I've ever been at by transitioning. I feel when the right person comes along it will happen.

[Donna Elvira]

This has been a very interesting thread providing lots of food for thought. So, following an exchange I had with Cindy yesterday which, among others,  allowed me to learn a new term I was unfamiliar with "GCS = Gender Confirmation Surgery " , I thought it was worth while to come back to the subject briefly.

I thought quite a bit about that term since yesterday, notably during a long walk in a forest this morning during one of the rare bright and sunny spells we've had over the last few days...I find brisk walking very therapeutic, strenuous enough to keep you in excellent shape yet calm enough to let the mind wander nicely from thought to thought.

Anyway, this latest variant on GRS, SRS etc...ie "the operation",  was a bit baffling for me as even before this thread I had difficulty understanding what "the operation" had to do with gender identity.  I'd put this difficulty at the same level as the difficulty I have understanding what someone learns from a RLE when they are obliged to present as a "man in a dress" from beginning to end as still practised in some supposedly civilized countries.

Getting back to "the operation" (BTW, in many ways FFS is just as radical as bottom surgery but somehow isn't at all perceived in the same manner which reinforces Victoria's excellent point about the instrinsic phallocentricity behind the emphasis placed on the latter), wouldn't the most accurate term finally just be GRS = Genital Reassignment Surgery? 

While I can easily imagine how it can help someone feel more comfortable with their bodies, end of the day, I don't see how it is intrinsically any different in spirit to FFS (Facial Feminization Surgery) which is also just an enabler ie. having a more feminine face makes it easier for me to live as a woman, just as having a vagina would no doubt make it easier too once I actually had the surgery under my belt.

The difference in perception that comes through with all the fuss about "the operation"  is no doubt a consequence of the obsession with sex that is part and parcel of western society but  this thread had the merit in clarifying some of the fundamental questions that motivate such surgery. Being a prerequisite for "being a woman" doesn't seem to be one of them.

Hugs
Donna

P.S. In spite of the wandering thoughts expressed in this post, I am actually home from the walk and typing from the comfort of my desk... 🙂

[MiaOhMya!]

I think I agree a lot with Victoria on things.

For me, if God had intended our physical sex to be the end-all of our gender too, then he'd have made us all giant walking penises and vaginas.  😉

[Jenna Stannis]

...giant walking penises and vaginas. 

Evolution is an ongoing process, so this may yet happen.

[stephaniec]

On the social side, it's how we perceive ourselves and how we choose to present ourselves.

On the biological side of the question, in how we perceive ourselves, most of this is in our heads, quite literally, but there are no easy or cheap tests for it, short of a post-mortem on the brain.

What is known about most MTFs is that they have brain structure differences from other males. The differences in brain structure almost always closely resemble the structures in females.

Back in the dark ages of gender identity diagnosis, a doctor at Johns Hopkins (whose name escapes me at the moment) stated that we are born as blank slates and we learn our gender roles so all that matters is how you raise a child. This was put to the test in the infamous "John/Joan" case, where a male with a badly botched circision was surgically altered to be a girl and raised as a girl. This, of course failed, and by the age of 14 the child was prepared to commit suicide. Attempts were made to help the child and later as an adult, but as I recall the individual in question ultimately took his own life in his 30s.

Dr. Milton Diamond never believed this theory so he eventually followed up on the "John/Joan" case and discovered that it did not work out the way the theory said it should. And, it turns out, it didn't work out in many other cases as well. Further, Dr. Diamond has stated (in interviews) that scientists have subsequently forced transsexual behavior on animal species by raising the testosterone levels on female fetuses in the womb (and vice versa on male fetuses). In every case, despite being biologically of one sex, these animals would adopt the behaviors of the other sex.

This has led to extensive studies that show that transgender people, going both ways, MTF and FTM, have significant brain structure differences from others of the same biological sex. Since our sense of self is within the brain, we quite literally have female brains in male bodies or male brains in female bodies.

Some of the recent hormonal research is summarized here, in this presentation to the AMA in 2011 🔗 [Link: media01.commpartners.com/AMA/sexual_​identity_​jan_​2011/index.html/]. It's a long viewing, over an hour, but I highly recommend it.

Here is one image of just one brain region that is different in MTFs.



The image above is the central nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTc), in the thalamus. Note that heterosexual and homosexual males have nearly identical brain structures in that region. Note that biological females have very different structures in that region from those of the males. And finally note that MTF transsexuals have brain structures that are very close to the female's and nothing at all like the biological male's neurological structures.

So no, you are not just "gay".   And yes, being transsexual is a real medical condition for which there is treatment that works for those who suffer most. That treatment is HRT and transitioning to live in the gender with which you identify.

Reference from my blog: Biological differences in MTFs and cisgender males 🔗 [Link: lizdaybyday.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/biological-​differences-​in-​mtfs-​and-​cisgender-​males/]

This makes my life make a lot more sense

[Apples Mk.II]

Legally speaking, I will be considered a woman in the moment I get SRS or two years HRT and full time...

Personally, after my current experience I can consider myself already. What's left is a hack and slash that will improve my social life and functioning, but that makes me a woman as much as putting a skirt.

[Allyda]

I can answer this question easily without any drama: yes, I'm a girl!

Hugs,
Allyda

[Allyda]

On the social side, it's how we perceive ourselves and how we choose to present ourselves.

On the biological side of the question, in how we perceive ourselves, most of this is in our heads, quite literally, but there are no easy or cheap tests for it, short of a post-mortem on the brain.

What is known about most MTFs is that they have brain structure differences from other males. The differences in brain structure almost always closely resemble the structures in females.

Back in the dark ages of gender identity diagnosis, a doctor at Johns Hopkins (whose name escapes me at the moment) stated that we are born as blank slates and we learn our gender roles so all that matters is how you raise a child. This was put to the test in the infamous "John/Joan" case, where a male with a badly botched circision was surgically altered to be a girl and raised as a girl. This, of course failed, and by the age of 14 the child was prepared to commit suicide. Attempts were made to help the child and later as an adult, but as I recall the individual in question ultimately took his own life in his 30s.

Dr. Milton Diamond never believed this theory so he eventually followed up on the "John/Joan" case and discovered that it did not work out the way the theory said it should. And, it turns out, it didn't work out in many other cases as well. Further, Dr. Diamond has stated (in interviews) that scientists have subsequently forced transsexual behavior on animal species by raising the testosterone levels on female fetuses in the womb (and vice versa on male fetuses). In every case, despite being biologically of one sex, these animals would adopt the behaviors of the other sex.

This has led to extensive studies that show that transgender people, going both ways, MTF and FTM, have significant brain structure differences from others of the same biological sex. Since our sense of self is within the brain, we quite literally have female brains in male bodies or male brains in female bodies.

Some of the recent hormonal research is summarized here, in this presentation to the AMA in 2011 🔗 [Link: media01.commpartners.com/AMA/sexual_​identity_​jan_​2011/index.html/]. It's a long viewing, over an hour, but I highly recommend it.

Here is one image of just one brain region that is different in MTFs.



The image above is the central nucleus of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BSTc), in the thalamus. Note that heterosexual and homosexual males have nearly identical brain structures in that region. Note that biological females have very different structures in that region from those of the males. And finally note that MTF transsexuals have brain structures that are very close to the female's and nothing at all like the biological male's neurological structures.

So no, you are not just "gay".   And yes, being transsexual is a real medical condition for which there is treatment that works for those who suffer most. That treatment is HRT and transitioning to live in the gender with which you identify.

Reference from my blog: Biological differences in MTFs and cisgender males 🔗 [Link: lizdaybyday.wordpress.com/2013/11/09/biological-​differences-​in-​mtfs-​and-​cisgender-​males/]

As to this, I've always suspected it.