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DeJuan Burnell

Transgender research paper

CWP: 102

11/17/12

Mr. Short

                                      The Art of Transgender

       In boys, the cross gender identification is determined by a marked preoccupation with

prevalent feminine activities. They may have a preference for dressing in girls' or women's

apparel or have a vigorous attraction for the stereotypical games and pastimes of girls. They

particularly enjoy playing house, drawing pictures of beautiful females and princesses. Girls with

Gender Identity Disorder tend to display negative reactions to parental expectations or endeavors

to have them wear dresses. Some may refuse to attend school or social events where such apparel

are required. Their fantasy heroes are most often powerful male figures, such as superheros.

These girls prefer boys as playmates, with whom they share fascinates in contact sports and

traditional boy games. They may occasionally refuse to urinate in a sitting position, claiming she

has or will grow a penis and may not want to grow breasts or menstruate. She may even verbally

express she will grow up to be a man. Such girls typically reveal marked cross-gender

identification in role-play, dreams and fantasies.

       Gender Identity Disorder is defined as a mental disorder characterized by a long-

standing, sedulously assiduous feeling that one's biological sex is incongruent with one's gender

identity. Individuals who possess this trait have an excruciating desire to be the opposite sex.

Dressing and identifying as the opposite sex causes feelings of pleasure for these individuals. At
times they may even express an extreme dislike for their own genitalia. (Haraldsen, Dahl 2000)

This is often referred to as gender dysphoria.

       As being an active member in the GLBT community, I often seen many people that I

came into contact with, both male and females who have consider transition, and later live as a

male or female. Many people undergo transitioning due to the ballroom scene, because their gay

parents encourage them to walk balls and have them to transition, because their outer body

features may have, feminine or masculine characteristics.

       Transgenderists live as members of the other sex, but without the extreme need or desire

to modify their bodies shown by transsexuals. Some live as members of the other sex, while

others stake out "third gender" status. Transgenderists may take hormones, but do not have

genital sex reassignment surgery.

       Cross dressers wear the clothing of the other sex on occasion, but do not desire to change

their sex. They dress for personal reasons, which can range from a need to express their feminine

or masculine side to a way to express themselves erotically.

        Drag Kings and Drag Queens present larger than life images of men and women,

exaggerating sexual stereotypes for entertainment or self-gratification.

       Androgynes, Gender Blenders, and Gender Benders merge the characteristics of both

sexes in ways subtle or shocking. Gender Fuck is the deliberate flaunting of gender norms with a

goal of shocking others.

        Intersexed (hermaphroditic) persons are born with genitals which show the

characteristics of both sexes. Many have surgery in infancy, and many of those who do grow up

feeling they have been robbed of an essential part of themselves. (Transgendered, 2)
The human body is their medium, the operating room their studio. The tools of their craft

include multifarious cutting, clamping, probing and sewing devices, as well as digital and laser

technologies. Most of the work that results is a living art, but this art then turns into science,

which makes them work well together. What is the art of surgery? The term intimates there is a

creative and constructive spirit to the practice. Obviously, an artist is one who is talented and

skilled in the practice, and has some natural aptitude as well. True, both of these descriptions can

apply to surgery as well so perhaps it is an art.( When The Science Of Surgery Becomes An Art)

       Gender Identity Disorder is listed in the DMV-IV as a mental disorder/illness. Individuals

who experience symptoms of GID are often termed transgendered. In former years, they were

more commonly referred to as transsexuals. Either label is felicitous for individuals who are not

mentally accepting of their biological sexual anatomy. These individuals have vigorous desire to

wear clothing of the opposite gender and to present themselves as the opposite gender while in

public. Some psychologists verbally express that parental influences, such as extreme proximity

to the mother, the absence of the father, or parental dynamics such as a maternal wish for a

daughter have been held responsible for the development of GID. It was thought that such

parental characteristics would give the children insufficient possibilities to identify with the same

sex parent and/or expose them to cross-gender reinforcement patterns. (Cohen-Kettenis and

Gooren 1999) In recorded accounts of gender dysphoria in women, females experience

discomfort with actual female anatomic characteristics like breasts. They also resent their

menstrual cycle and express a desire for a penis and other masculine traits. Often described as

"tomboyish" by their parents, these transgendered women are generally attracted to adult

females. It is not uncommon for these women to have had sexual interaction with adult males;

however they refer to these experiences as unsatisfying. (Mental Health eJournal 1997) Parents
of boys with GID often report that, from the moment their sons could talk, they insisted on

wearing their mother's apparel and shoes, were exclusively fascinated with girl's toys and played

mainly with girls. Such individuals often show distress about being a boy or having male

genitals. (Cohen-Kettenis and Gooren 1999) I had a chance to speak with a friend, and asked her

about how her life style growing up as transgender women Velasquez express her personal

experience as a transgendered child who upon adulthood, opted for sex reassignment surgery.

She expressed: When I was a kid, everyone else seemed to know they were boys or girls or men

or women. That's something Ive never known; not then, not today. I never got to verbally

express to the grownups, "Hold on there- just what is it about me that makes you think I'm a little

boy?" As a kid I just figured I was the crazy one; I was the one who had a serious defect.

(Personal interview Velasquez) These discombobulated children do grow up and during early

adulthood many realize that there are options in managing their gender dysphoria. There are

generally two options for treatment when faced with this disorder. GID patients will either

undergo psychotherapy or opt for sex reassignment surgery. Both treatment plans require a

staunch commitment and a clear fixate on the desired goal.

        The most controversial among these treatments is the life altering sex reassignment

surgery where the patients body is altered to reflect the intended gender. The first sex change

operations were performed in the 1930's. Many psychotherapists during the1930's viewed

transsexualism as a delusion. They felt that no other method besides psychotherapy could help

these individuals deal with the emotional conflicts that arose from their inner turmoil.

Excruciating therapy and evaluation must be undergone before a successful sex reassignment

surgery can be approved. Clinicians evaluate the mental health of the potential patient and then

assign a life test where the potential patient has to live everyday as the intended gender to
determine whether or not they can function socially in that gender. (Mental Health eJournal

1997) According to a report published in 1997 by the Mental Health eJournal, A 2 year period of

the Real-Life Experience sanctions for transitionary practices such as changes in jobs, educating

family members or employers and it also sanctions time for the individual who may not be ready

for surgery to become mentally ready.

                Female to Male- In one technique they take a skin graft, either from the inner

thigh or the belly, literally rolls it up, and annexes it at the top of the thigh and the bottom of the

belly. Then the patient has to lie in bed for four weeks or so while this rejuvenates up, to

ascertain the blood is going fine. So youve basically acquired what looks like a suitcase handle.

They then remove one end from the thigh, so the suitcase handle is hanging down from the

bottom of the belly. They dont have a way to elongate the urethra through this penis, so the man

must pee through the same urethral opening he had when he was a woman. Some men keep their

vaginas; some have their vaginas partially sewn up. Male to Female- the most prevalent

technique is the one I had: its called penile inversion. They lay the penis out, and make an

incision down the length of it, pull the skin open, scrape out the spongy stuff, being scrupulously

meticulous not to perturb the blood vessels and nerves. The scrotum sac is laid open, the testicles

are removed and become compost, I conjecture. So then they take the tip of the penis and

commence pushing it in. Like turning a sock inside-out. Everyone has this natural cavity, right,

so they push it in. the outside of the penis becomes the walls of the new vagina. The tip of the

penis functions in the position of the cervix. They create a kind of clitoris, utilizing the spongy

material from the perineum. And they hope for the best. (Bornstein, 1994)

        In conclusion, symptoms of Gender Identity Disorder are often recognized in early

childhood.Categorized as a mental illness by psychologists, this label is often in direct conflict
with the way the symptomatic patients view the situation. Societal pressures often keep these

transgendered individuals in the proverbial closet and their life satisfaction level is

weakened because of it. Many opt to align their physical bodies with their internal gender

preference and find happiness. Also in order for surgeons to fulfill ones needs, they must master

the craft, and connect science and art together.
Work Cited

R. Haraldsen, A. A. Dahl (2000) Symptom profiles of gender dysphoric patients of transsexual

type compared to patients with personality disorders and healthy adults

"Transgender" StudyMode.com. 04 2011. 04 2011

When The Science Of Surgery Becomes An Art Christopher F. Hyer DPM FACFAS

Acta Psyciatr Scand 2000 276-281.Yolanda L. S. Smith, Stephanie H.M. van Goozen, A.J.

Kulper and Peggy Cohen-Kettenis (2005) Transsexual subtypes: Clinical and theoretical

significance

Meds cape Psychiatry & Mental Health eJournal 2

Psychiatry Research Volume 137, Issue 3, 15 December 2005 151-160.P. T. Cohen-Kettenis and

L. J. G. Gooren (1999) Transsexualism a review of etiology, diagnosis and treatment

Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry

Diagnosing and Treating Gender Identity Disorder in Women

Person Interview, Kelley Velasquez

Meds cape Psychiatry & Mental Health eJournal 2(5), (1997) Bornstein, Kate (1994)

Gender Outlaw; On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us, New York, Random House
De juan burnel1 transgender

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De juan burnel1 transgender

  • 1. DeJuan Burnell Transgender research paper CWP: 102 11/17/12 Mr. Short The Art of Transgender In boys, the cross gender identification is determined by a marked preoccupation with prevalent feminine activities. They may have a preference for dressing in girls' or women's apparel or have a vigorous attraction for the stereotypical games and pastimes of girls. They particularly enjoy playing house, drawing pictures of beautiful females and princesses. Girls with Gender Identity Disorder tend to display negative reactions to parental expectations or endeavors to have them wear dresses. Some may refuse to attend school or social events where such apparel are required. Their fantasy heroes are most often powerful male figures, such as superheros. These girls prefer boys as playmates, with whom they share fascinates in contact sports and traditional boy games. They may occasionally refuse to urinate in a sitting position, claiming she has or will grow a penis and may not want to grow breasts or menstruate. She may even verbally express she will grow up to be a man. Such girls typically reveal marked cross-gender identification in role-play, dreams and fantasies. Gender Identity Disorder is defined as a mental disorder characterized by a long- standing, sedulously assiduous feeling that one's biological sex is incongruent with one's gender identity. Individuals who possess this trait have an excruciating desire to be the opposite sex. Dressing and identifying as the opposite sex causes feelings of pleasure for these individuals. At
  • 2. times they may even express an extreme dislike for their own genitalia. (Haraldsen, Dahl 2000) This is often referred to as gender dysphoria. As being an active member in the GLBT community, I often seen many people that I came into contact with, both male and females who have consider transition, and later live as a male or female. Many people undergo transitioning due to the ballroom scene, because their gay parents encourage them to walk balls and have them to transition, because their outer body features may have, feminine or masculine characteristics. Transgenderists live as members of the other sex, but without the extreme need or desire to modify their bodies shown by transsexuals. Some live as members of the other sex, while others stake out "third gender" status. Transgenderists may take hormones, but do not have genital sex reassignment surgery. Cross dressers wear the clothing of the other sex on occasion, but do not desire to change their sex. They dress for personal reasons, which can range from a need to express their feminine or masculine side to a way to express themselves erotically. Drag Kings and Drag Queens present larger than life images of men and women, exaggerating sexual stereotypes for entertainment or self-gratification. Androgynes, Gender Blenders, and Gender Benders merge the characteristics of both sexes in ways subtle or shocking. Gender Fuck is the deliberate flaunting of gender norms with a goal of shocking others. Intersexed (hermaphroditic) persons are born with genitals which show the characteristics of both sexes. Many have surgery in infancy, and many of those who do grow up feeling they have been robbed of an essential part of themselves. (Transgendered, 2)
  • 3. The human body is their medium, the operating room their studio. The tools of their craft include multifarious cutting, clamping, probing and sewing devices, as well as digital and laser technologies. Most of the work that results is a living art, but this art then turns into science, which makes them work well together. What is the art of surgery? The term intimates there is a creative and constructive spirit to the practice. Obviously, an artist is one who is talented and skilled in the practice, and has some natural aptitude as well. True, both of these descriptions can apply to surgery as well so perhaps it is an art.( When The Science Of Surgery Becomes An Art) Gender Identity Disorder is listed in the DMV-IV as a mental disorder/illness. Individuals who experience symptoms of GID are often termed transgendered. In former years, they were more commonly referred to as transsexuals. Either label is felicitous for individuals who are not mentally accepting of their biological sexual anatomy. These individuals have vigorous desire to wear clothing of the opposite gender and to present themselves as the opposite gender while in public. Some psychologists verbally express that parental influences, such as extreme proximity to the mother, the absence of the father, or parental dynamics such as a maternal wish for a daughter have been held responsible for the development of GID. It was thought that such parental characteristics would give the children insufficient possibilities to identify with the same sex parent and/or expose them to cross-gender reinforcement patterns. (Cohen-Kettenis and Gooren 1999) In recorded accounts of gender dysphoria in women, females experience discomfort with actual female anatomic characteristics like breasts. They also resent their menstrual cycle and express a desire for a penis and other masculine traits. Often described as "tomboyish" by their parents, these transgendered women are generally attracted to adult females. It is not uncommon for these women to have had sexual interaction with adult males; however they refer to these experiences as unsatisfying. (Mental Health eJournal 1997) Parents
  • 4. of boys with GID often report that, from the moment their sons could talk, they insisted on wearing their mother's apparel and shoes, were exclusively fascinated with girl's toys and played mainly with girls. Such individuals often show distress about being a boy or having male genitals. (Cohen-Kettenis and Gooren 1999) I had a chance to speak with a friend, and asked her about how her life style growing up as transgender women Velasquez express her personal experience as a transgendered child who upon adulthood, opted for sex reassignment surgery. She expressed: When I was a kid, everyone else seemed to know they were boys or girls or men or women. That's something Ive never known; not then, not today. I never got to verbally express to the grownups, "Hold on there- just what is it about me that makes you think I'm a little boy?" As a kid I just figured I was the crazy one; I was the one who had a serious defect. (Personal interview Velasquez) These discombobulated children do grow up and during early adulthood many realize that there are options in managing their gender dysphoria. There are generally two options for treatment when faced with this disorder. GID patients will either undergo psychotherapy or opt for sex reassignment surgery. Both treatment plans require a staunch commitment and a clear fixate on the desired goal. The most controversial among these treatments is the life altering sex reassignment surgery where the patients body is altered to reflect the intended gender. The first sex change operations were performed in the 1930's. Many psychotherapists during the1930's viewed transsexualism as a delusion. They felt that no other method besides psychotherapy could help these individuals deal with the emotional conflicts that arose from their inner turmoil. Excruciating therapy and evaluation must be undergone before a successful sex reassignment surgery can be approved. Clinicians evaluate the mental health of the potential patient and then assign a life test where the potential patient has to live everyday as the intended gender to
  • 5. determine whether or not they can function socially in that gender. (Mental Health eJournal 1997) According to a report published in 1997 by the Mental Health eJournal, A 2 year period of the Real-Life Experience sanctions for transitionary practices such as changes in jobs, educating family members or employers and it also sanctions time for the individual who may not be ready for surgery to become mentally ready. Female to Male- In one technique they take a skin graft, either from the inner thigh or the belly, literally rolls it up, and annexes it at the top of the thigh and the bottom of the belly. Then the patient has to lie in bed for four weeks or so while this rejuvenates up, to ascertain the blood is going fine. So youve basically acquired what looks like a suitcase handle. They then remove one end from the thigh, so the suitcase handle is hanging down from the bottom of the belly. They dont have a way to elongate the urethra through this penis, so the man must pee through the same urethral opening he had when he was a woman. Some men keep their vaginas; some have their vaginas partially sewn up. Male to Female- the most prevalent technique is the one I had: its called penile inversion. They lay the penis out, and make an incision down the length of it, pull the skin open, scrape out the spongy stuff, being scrupulously meticulous not to perturb the blood vessels and nerves. The scrotum sac is laid open, the testicles are removed and become compost, I conjecture. So then they take the tip of the penis and commence pushing it in. Like turning a sock inside-out. Everyone has this natural cavity, right, so they push it in. the outside of the penis becomes the walls of the new vagina. The tip of the penis functions in the position of the cervix. They create a kind of clitoris, utilizing the spongy material from the perineum. And they hope for the best. (Bornstein, 1994) In conclusion, symptoms of Gender Identity Disorder are often recognized in early childhood.Categorized as a mental illness by psychologists, this label is often in direct conflict
  • 6. with the way the symptomatic patients view the situation. Societal pressures often keep these transgendered individuals in the proverbial closet and their life satisfaction level is weakened because of it. Many opt to align their physical bodies with their internal gender preference and find happiness. Also in order for surgeons to fulfill ones needs, they must master the craft, and connect science and art together.
  • 7. Work Cited R. Haraldsen, A. A. Dahl (2000) Symptom profiles of gender dysphoric patients of transsexual type compared to patients with personality disorders and healthy adults "Transgender" StudyMode.com. 04 2011. 04 2011 When The Science Of Surgery Becomes An Art Christopher F. Hyer DPM FACFAS Acta Psyciatr Scand 2000 276-281.Yolanda L. S. Smith, Stephanie H.M. van Goozen, A.J. Kulper and Peggy Cohen-Kettenis (2005) Transsexual subtypes: Clinical and theoretical significance Meds cape Psychiatry & Mental Health eJournal 2 Psychiatry Research Volume 137, Issue 3, 15 December 2005 151-160.P. T. Cohen-Kettenis and L. J. G. Gooren (1999) Transsexualism a review of etiology, diagnosis and treatment Rudolph Magnus Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Diagnosing and Treating Gender Identity Disorder in Women Person Interview, Kelley Velasquez Meds cape Psychiatry & Mental Health eJournal 2(5), (1997) Bornstein, Kate (1994) Gender Outlaw; On Men, Women, and the Rest of Us, New York, Random House