There is a report out of Australia that scientists there have found a genetic link for transsexualism (read about it here). This kind of research is looking to provide conclusive proof about something that many of us already know – that there is a biological connection to development of gender identity. I’ll admit that I gave up looking for the causes of my own dissonance several years ago recognizing that the causes were less important than the actions to address it.
One article reporting this news is titled “Transgender People Validated By Aussie Research“.
In the past there have been tests on the similarities between transgender brains and female brains but nothing conclusive due to a major lack of study in this field. Co-author Professor Vincent Harley added: “There is a social stigma that transsexualism is simply a lifestyle choice; however our findings support a biological basis of how gender identity develops.”
Hopefully these findings will not only help better educate society, but also those in the medical profession who treat those born with gender dysphoria.
Many transgender people have believed for the longest time that biology had been the cause. I myself believe this as my earliest memories were that of wanting to be a girl even before I learnt to spell. Hopefully further studies like this will prove beyond a shadow of doubt that the phenomenon is a natural occurrence, leading to social acceptance of transgender people.
Although I applaud this research and hope the it leads to the kind of broader acceptance that the article describes I can’t help but chafe at the notion that any of us need to be validated by medical research. Our validation comes in many ways, and certainly identifying some sort of concrete biological link would help in that regard, but that’s not our only hope.
I don’t believe that there is any one “cause” for our situation. It’s more complicated than that. Still, I find this kind of thing to be another step in the movement towards broader acceptance. One thing I do find interesting, however, is that all of the internet news reporting on this is out of India, Australia and the UK so far. There has been no US-based reporting of it yet. Coincidence? I think not.
I have a few follow-up thoughts on yesterday’s post about transition.
I don’t believe that transition is for everyone. It seems as though there are those who believe that, unless you transition, and do it in a certain way, you’re not a “real” transsexual. I don’t feel that way. In fact, I’d argue that there are far more “real” transsexuals who will never, ever attend a support group, go to a conference, meet with a psychologist, or otherwise take active steps to address their conflicts than there are those who actually begin the steps to transition.
I also don’t accept the notion that this condition “forces” people to transition. Generations and generations of us didn’t have the same opportunities that we have today and dealt with their conflicts without sharing this news about themselves. I received an email several years ago from someone who noted that our stories were very similar. During his younger years he was athletic, got married, had a child, established a successful career. He noted that the point at which our stories diverged was the day I went to see a psychologist, because this person was 84 years old and if he had acknowledged his conflict publicly he would have been sent to a psychiatric hospital. The fact is, just because you don’t transition or can’t transition doesn’t mean you’re not trans.
Some have written to me indicating that they reached a point of either transitioning or ending their lives – that continuing on in a body that didn’t fit just wasn’t worth living for. I certainly appreciate that and I recognize that it happens. My point, however, is that not all of us need to reach that point in order to make decisions about our lives. That’s not a pre-requisite.
I find these kinds of discussions to be fascinating and important. Many of us have strong opinions on these topics that don’t make us right or wrong. I think it’s important to get this kind of stuff out there, though, because it’s empowering to realize that others approach this conundrum in ways similar to our own approach. Also, it’s enlightening to think about things in ways you may not have considered before. I’m sure there will be more to say on this…
In other news, the Human Rights Campaign recently released it’s first post-ENDA Congressional Scorecard.
During the board meeting where we voted as a group on whether or not to support the non-inclusive ENDA the most significant argument used against opposing it was that we’d need to deduct points from “friends” for voting against a pro-gay bill. The fact that they punished “friends” who voted against ENDA because it was non-inclusive is the height of hypocricy for me.
There’s a footnote in the scorecard trying to explain/justify the fact that they’re punishing our “friends” who voted against the non-inclusive ENDA out of principle:
One note: The US House features seven progressive members who voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act — after they knew Bush would veto anything passed — because it did not include transgender protection. We honor their principled stand, as does HRC — however, these legislators, the so-called ENDA 7, each lost 10 points on the scorecard as a result. Consider Reps. Jerry Nadler (NY), Anthony Weiner (NY), Yvette Clark (NY), Ed Townes (NY), Lydia Valasquez (NY), Rush Holt (NJ) and Michael Michaud (ME) as having a perfect score of 100 despite the 90s that appear. And thank them for bringing character and integrity to a place where it is glimpsed all too rarely.
“Character and Integrity” are things that HRC lost a long time ago so perhaps they could learn a lesson from these heroes. It’s refreshing to see that there are legislators for whom principle is more important than some arbitrary score on a scorecard. These leaders should have received extra credit, not a demerit, for their courage. The fact that they’re being punished is simply another indicator of what is wrong with HRC today, and why thay have become irrelevant for many of us.
What a wonderful and thoughtful post, Donna.
It becomes arther easy to find a political cause that somehow manages to divorce one’s self from one’s “morality” and to make that “cause” a litmus-test for what I haven’t done morally myself while requiring others to adhere to my “morality.”
That HRC has done that and will continue to do so comes as no great surprise. Thank you for a truly excellent post.
I think the first half of this post needs to go in Bilerico, but under a different title. I love what you said there, in support of us who have not had the financial ability to get GRS/SRS, or even able to start transition. We are still transsexual, as much as that 84 year-old who came from a suppressive time in our history. What’s between our legs does NOT determine our gender identity, in spite of what some people think. That first half deserves reposting on Bilerico.
Dear Donna were do I start ? Well let me start by saying that as to your comments on HRC and ENDA I agree completely with eerything you said. AS to the opinions you shared on Transition well thats a differant story. I feel We need Medical Valadation if were ever going to get Insurance coverage for Counseling, Horomones or GRS. I also think that there is but one casue for our condintion and that is “biology” It’s a pure and simple biological mistake made by nature, no it doesn’ happen that often ,but nor does in anywere else in nature. Yes from time to time we hear of children that were born conjined or animals with two heads or three eyes but not often Transexuality is no differant, it’s a birth defect plain and simple. What causes it they don’t know yet,but I feel Medical Confirmation that it’s a medically diagnosis condition is going to be very beneficial to many who other wise wouldn’t ever get help.
Now as to your posting concerning Transition and there being any right way to do it. I agree that there re many who haven;tandwill never transition and throught our history many many people didn’t transtion who certainly were transexuals,but I also believe that it is of the utmost importance to follow the SOC I consider it the Bible of Transition and even though it is as it states it is only a Guideline its a guideline that in my opinion should be adhered to with greatest of care. I do not however accept the fact that one can suffer from Gender Identity Disorder and choice NOT to have GRS It is my belief that if one truely suffers a Dysphoria with ones body gender then there is NO WAY this person can desire to have let alone use their male genitalia. This goes against the whole core diagnosis for gender Identity Disorder. I feel that if you TRUELY are a sufferer of this condition then you will be driven to find away regardless of the cost whether that be financial or emotional to habe Surgery or you’ll die trying too find a way. There is Factional Research to Support that the Brain Gender of a person who TRUELY suffers from GID as having the brain gender of the gender they Identifiy with were as the Brain Gender of say someone like a shemale is in my opinion that of a male. To me what they do is more a Fedish and not a gender Identity Condintion They do what they do for totally differant reason then does a person suffering from this condition. The Shemale acts out of sexual gratification where as the Transexual acts out of a need to make thier body Image fit their brain image. Now please don;t make the mistake of thinking i’m sayng that everyone who hasn’t had surgery is shemale as I’m NOT saying that I known there are many many women out there who simple can’t effort surgey. Differance is they want it the Shemale doesn’t.
In closing let me say it has been my honor to work for the Obama Campaign as a Coordinator here in Virginia I feel as if I helped make history. I was able to use my position to meet with and speak to Senator Obama after his rally here in my town for about five mins. I expressed the need for nothing less then a Fully Inclusive ENDA. To which he agreed. Please Everyone go vote !
Sincerely
Brandi Parker
SWVA Rep Equality Va
*sigh*
[...] [USA] “I don’t believe that transition is for everyone. It seems as though there are those who believe that, unless you transition, and do it in a certain way, you’re not a “real” transsexual. I don’t feel that way. In fact, I’d argue that there are far more “real” transsexuals who will never, ever attend a support group, go to a conference, meet with a psychologist, or otherwise take active steps to address their conflicts than there are those who actually begin the steps to transition … The fact is, just because you don’t transition or can’t transition doesn’t mean you’re not trans.” — “Character and Integrity” [...]
[...] At Bilerico, Donna Rose expands a bit on what she earlier wrote on her own blog. — Transsexual [...]