Transgender

Myth Buster - Transgender People - Dispelling the Mythology - Giving Facts

• Definition of sexuality: sexuality describes how a person expresses themselves as a sexual being. It describes how important sexual expression is in a person's life. How they choose to express that sexuality and any preference they may have towards the type of sexual partner they choose. The way we choose to behave sexually is individual and as complicated as the ways we choose to dress or earn a living.
• Definition of gender: gender comprises a rande of differences between men an women extending from biological to social. 'Male' and 'Female' are sex categories. 'Masculine' and 'Feminine' are gender categories.  Aspects of sex will not vary substantially between different human societies, while apsects of gender may vary greatly.
• Examples of gender characteristics: in the U.S. women earn significantly less than men for similar work; in Vietnam more men than women smoke, as female smoking is not considered appriopriate; in Saudi Arabia, men are allowed to drive cars while women are not; in most of the world, women do more housework than men.
• No one knows for certain what causes Gender Identity Disorder, but it is thought to originate in the womb, pre-birth.
• It has been estimated that 1 in 10 of the male population have cross-dressed at one time or another. Statistics however, are unreliable.
• The vast majority of cross-dressers, transvestite and transsexual people are either 'in the closer' or live in 'stealth'.
• it is very likely that you will know at least one transgendered  person without being aware of it.
• The vast majority of cross-dressers, transvestite and transsexual males are heterosexual in their sexuality. A smaller number are bisexual. Only a few are bisexual.
• Only a small minority of cross-dressers and tranvestite people go on to be transsexual and undertake sex reassignment surgery (MtF = male to female; FtM = female to male).
• What problems do people face? housing, violent attack, hate crime, isolation from family, public ridicule, employement, financial issues, loneliness, depression, substance abuse, suicide.
• What transgendered people want? the same as you! to be taked seriously, acceptance, understanding, a greater public presence, protection against discrimination, a better image in the media, a role in 'vanilla' society.  

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