Gender Site : Common Gender Identity Questions

It is hard for some people to imagine changing their sexual identity. They feel that they were born the right sex and have been identified as the right sex. But there are many people who do not feel this way. They grow up feeling as if something were not right, something not in sync. It is though they are one step outside of what everyone else is feeling. Gender identity has come to the media in recent years with the advent of corrective surgery and psychology designed to help people correct these feelings of inadequacy in their sexual identification.

It is not an easy road for those with gender identity issues. They must face not only their family and friends but the public as well. It can have lasting repercussions on their psychological well-being. But there is help. With corrective surgery, hormonal replacement or therapy these people can live happy lives that are fulfilling and everything they wish them to be. In this article we will cover the basics of gender identity, what it is and how it corresponds to our sexuality.

Gender identity has two different meanings to the scientific community. The first is the process of a girl or boy being identified as their appropriate sex. That is on the basis of their sexual organs. The second is how the person identifies themselves. A girl may have 'boyish' tendencies and like to play sports but still identifies with the female gender. The same is true of a boy that likes to play with dolls but still identifies himself as a male. Gender identity problems can occur when a person is born as one sex but identifies themselves with the opposite sex. An example would be a male that is born with male genitalia but identifies himself as being a female.

Gender identity is used to determine one's sex by their genitalia and how they act. Having the "right" equipment does not guarantee that a person will identify with certain traits that are earmarked for that gender. Many people automatically identify pink with being a girl's color. They feel that dresses and dolls make up the gender identity of characteristics that are typically female. The same thing applies to boys, the color blue and playing with action figures versus Barbie dolls. We have a tendency to assume that certain characteristics are belonging to a certain sex.

Gender dysphoria is the term that is used to describe when a person is born as one sex but in actuality feels that they should have been born the opposite sex. The person identifies as being the opposing gender in all of their actions and feel that their reproductive organs do not match that gender. It results in a deep sadness that their outside parts do not match how they feel on the inside.

Sexual proclivity is the process that causes us to decide what gender to pursue. Gender identity often makes this process complicated. The person affected by gender identity disorders feels that they should be the opposite sex and prefers others based on that feeling. It is more than a woman deciding to be a lesbian and searching for same sex relationships. It is more than a man deciding to be homosexual and searching for another man. In many people's eyes a person of one gender should only have relationships with people of the opposite gender. This can cause great confusion for those with gender identity problems.

Text book relationships have a person of one sex gravitating towards a person of the opposite sex. If a person is having trouble with gender identity then the feelings may be the same but they feel that they are trapped in the wrong body. They may have sexual feelings for people of the same sex but do not identify with being homosexual.

Though there is a growing acceptance of same sex relationships there is still the prevalent thought that a gender should prefer someone of the opposite sex. Relationships are born from this yearning and need. But in a person with gender dysphoria it does not work the same way. They feel attracted to the same sex or the opposite sex but genuinely believe that they should have been born a different gender. Their relationships begin to revolve around this gender identity crisis.

Gender identity was once based on the appearance of male or female genitalia but since then more has come to light as we are able to examine people on a genetic level. Females traditionally have higher amounts of estrogen and are have two X genes. Males, on the other hand, traditionally have higher amounts of testosterone and are XY on the genetic level. Estrogen is the hormone responsible for breasts and ovulation whereas testosterone is responsible for more muscle mass, more hair and the development of sperm. Both can be found in either sex but one is in the lesser amount depending on the chromosome pair.

If a person truly believed they were meant to be the opposite sex, how do they correct this problem?

The first step in correcting a problem with gender identity is to identify if the person truly wants to become the opposite sex. It may be a case where the individual is happy just "dressing" the part and have no wish to undergo the intensive treatment program needed for sexual reassignment surgery and hormonal replacement. The treatment program also requires intensive psychoanalysis and therapy in order to help the person learn to adjust as the opposite sex.

Sexual reassignment surgery is the process of surgically altering one's genitalia into that of the opposite sex. An example would be a man deciding to become a woman. He would have to undergo surgery to remove his female genitalia. This is a lengthy process that begins with psychological studies and in-depth psychological treatment to address the gender identity issues. From that point it will be decided if gender reassignment surgery is the best option and the treatments for this procedure will begin.

Hormonal replacement, in regards to gender identity issues, is where the person is born a certain sex but wishes to become the opposite sex. They begin this process of change by beginning to take either more estrogen supplements or more testosterone supplements to help further along the change so that they can become the true sex they were meant to be. Hormone replacement is usually the precursor to full sexual reassignment surgery. It coincides with psychological treatment plans that will help the individual to truly become the sex that they wish to be.

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Today's Tip On Gender Identity

Transgender counseling is meant to help transgender people work through a difficult experience, not to cause them to hide in shame or confusion. While transgendered people often become isolated, the isolation typically stems from denial and/or social withdrawal. Counselors can help you to deal with all of these issues as you take a full role in society. While there are counselors who will manipulate or in some way abuse the transgendered client, they can be avoided by knowing what to look for and what to avoid.