Transcript The Myths about being Transgendered….

Ball State University
Finding the Road in Indiana
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
1) Being Transgender does not mean you are gay… or
does it?
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
1) Being Transgender does not mean you are gay… or
does it?
2) Being Transgender is all about the sex and cross
dressing.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
1) Being Transgender does not mean you are gay… or
does it?
2) Being Transgender is all about the sex and cross
dressing.
3) Being MTF (Male to Female) means you lose 20 IQ
points when you transition.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
1) Being Transgender does not mean you are gay… or
does it?
2) Being Transgender is all about the sex and cross
dressing.
3) Being MTF (Male to Female) means you lose 20 IQ
points when you transition.
4) Being Transgender is something to fear.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
5) Transgender folks make no contribution to society
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
5) Transgender folks make no contribution to society
6) Transgender folks are made not born
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
5) Transgender folks make no contribution to society
6) Transgender folks are made not born
7) Transgender children do not exist
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
5) Transgender folks make no contribution to society
6) Transgender folks are made not born
7) Transgender children do not exist
8) Transgender folks enjoy the same rights as “sexual
orientation” where that law exists.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
9) There are only 1 trans person in 39,000.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
9) There are only 1 trans person in 39,000.
10) In Indiana, a transgender person can marry their
opposite sex partner.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
9) There are only 1 trans person in 39,000.
10) In Indiana, a transgender person can marry their
opposite sex partner.
11) Transition always includes sex reassignment
surgery.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
9) There are only 1 trans person in 39,000.
10) In Indiana, a transgender person can marry their
opposite sex partner.
11) Transition always includes sex reassignment
surgery.
12) Transgender folks enjoy the same rights as “gay or
lesbian people” where that law exists.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
13) Being Transgender is much easier than 5 or 10
years ago.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
13) Being Transgender is much easier than 5 or 10
years ago.
14) Most trans folks do not have any special mental or
physical health issue or needs.
The Myths about being
Transgendered….
13) Being Transgender is much easier than 5 or 10
years ago.
14) Most trans folks do not have any special mental or
physical health issue or needs
15) Transgender folks are normally found in low
income / low technical fields.
Definitions
• Sex The physical classification of people as
male or female by reproductive organs and
functions, anatomy, chromosomes,
hormones, etc.
• “INTERSEX” is a general term used for a
variety of conditions in which a person is
born with a reproductive or sexual
anatomy that doesn’t seem to fit the
typical definitions of female or male.
• GENDER refers to the culturally and societally
determined meanings assigned to male and
female and a label is placed on individuals.
• Each society emphasizes particular gender
roles that each sex should play, although there
is usually a wide latitude in acceptable
behaviors for each gender.”
• GENDER IDENTITY: refers to the internal,
psychological or spiritual sense of self relative to
one’s degree of ‘maleness’ or ‘femaleness.’
This can be in opposition to the socially defined
idea of one’s gender.
Question: Nurture or Nature?
• TRANSGENDER A person whose internal
gender identity does not match the anatomical
sex with which they were born. Consequently,
the socially defined gender label assigned to
match physical sex creates a conflict within the
person to a greater or lesser degree
• TRANSSEXUAL (sp): A medical term referring
to a person whose gender identity differs from
what is culturally associated with their
biological sex at birth and who wishes to
undergo sex reassignment surgery.
• GENDER EXPRESSION A person’s
communication of gender to others.
o Clothing, jewelry, hair style, etc.
o Occupation and status in society
o Communication style, etc.
• SEXUAL ORIENTATION
• Is the enduring pattern of emotional, romantic
and sexual attraction (NOT a behavior).
• Orientation is not a choice. Research suggests
that it is a combination of genetic, hormonal,
environmental and biological factors prior to
birth.
• Question: At what age did you decide to
become heterosexual or bi-sexual or …….
• Various Orientations for Sexuality:
• Asexuality: Lack of sexual attraction
• Bisexuality: Attracted to both males and females.
Attraction may not be equal.
• Heterosexuality: Attracted to members of the
opposite sex
• Homosexuality: attraction to people of same sex.
Lesbian. Gay.
• Pansexuality (gender and sex irrelevant re:
attraction),
• Polysexuality (attracted to more than one
gender/sex, but do not want to identify as BIsexual, which implies only 2 genders/sex)
• GAY Denotes a man who forms his primary
emotional, loving, romantic and sexual
relationships with other men.
• It’s also an umbrella term describing the
community, with political overtones, and
often used by both gay men and lesbian
women.
• LESBIAN A term originating from Greek
mythology that denotes a woman who forms her
primary emotional, loving, romantic and sexual
relationships with other women.
• BI-SEXUAL A person who has an affection,
emotional, romantic, and sexual attraction to
men and women. Degree of preference and
choice of primary relationship partner varies for
each bisexual.
• Homosexual A clinical and technical term that is
not generally used by lesbian and gay people or
their community. “Homo” has long been used as
a derogatory term.
Gender Continuum
Gender Variance Model
Education & Advocacy, Inc.
Gender-based
Oppression
Gender
“Norms”
Reproduction Occupations Grooming Mannerisms
Sexuality
Identity
Part time
Fulltime
Expression
Straight
Lesbian – Gay – Bi-sexual – Queer/Questioning
Transgender and Transsexual
The Issues…
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Gender oppression in a male dominant society
Acceptance in the workplace
Acceptance in the schools – all levels
Acceptance by the medical profession
Integration by the legal system
Healthcare support
Housing discrimination
Discrimination by law enforcement
Military discrimination
The Issues…
• Family acceptance and social issues
• Drug and alcohol issues
• Mental health challenges