Difference between revisions of "Sex change theory"
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It has been embraced primarily by advocates of the 1960s [[sexual revolution]] such as [[homosexual rights]] activists, but rejected by the [[Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>"The key point is that the (transsexual) surgical operation is so superficial and external that it does not change the personality. If the person was male, he remains male. If she was female, she remains female." [http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/CatholicTSDecision.html] </ref> | It has been embraced primarily by advocates of the 1960s [[sexual revolution]] such as [[homosexual rights]] activists, but rejected by the [[Roman Catholic Church]].<ref>"The key point is that the (transsexual) surgical operation is so superficial and external that it does not change the personality. If the person was male, he remains male. If she was female, she remains female." [http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/CatholicTSDecision.html] </ref> | ||
| − | [[Transgender]]ed patients seek to undergo surgical [[sex change operation]]s (also known as [[gender reassignment surgery]]) to change their external appearance to to that of the gender with which they [[identify]]. Patients often undergo [[psychotherapy]], [[hormone treatment]], and facial surgery as well. In the United States, a patient must undergo counseling before being approved for the surgery. | + | [[Transgender]]ed patients seek to undergo surgical [[sex change operation]]s (also known as [[gender reassignment surgery]]) to change their external appearance to to that of the gender with which they [[identify]]. Patients often undergo [[psychotherapy]], [[hormone treatment]], and facial surgery as well. In the United States, a patient must undergo counseling before being approved for the surgery. Patients in the US are also required to have two letters of recommendation from certified psychiatrists, and must have lived a year acting as the gender that they identify with. <ref>http://www.wpath.org/publications_standards.cfm</ref> Patients sometimes choose to have the surgery done abroad in places like [[Thailand]] for three reasons: 1. It is often less expensive for the patient, 2. The patient may be able to bypass some legal restrictions, 3. The surgeons in Thailand have a reputation of being particularly skilled in this area. <ref>http://www.bangkokcompanies.com/Surgery/thailandsurgery_sex_change_surgery.htm</ref> |
It should be noted that hormone therapy and removing and adding body parts does not change the genetic makeup of an individual. On the genetic level, individuals who started as men are still men no matter what appearance they choose and women who started as women are still women after surgery as well. | It should be noted that hormone therapy and removing and adding body parts does not change the genetic makeup of an individual. On the genetic level, individuals who started as men are still men no matter what appearance they choose and women who started as women are still women after surgery as well. | ||
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==Legality== | ==Legality== | ||
| − | Different states have different laws regarding the status of people who have had sex change operations. Generally, their birth certificates are reissued with their new legal [[gender]]. Since they are not required to divorce before surgery, this could lead to de-facto [[same sex marriage]] if they stay with their spouse. | + | Different states have different laws regarding the status of people who have had sex change operations. Generally, their birth certificates are reissued with their new legal [[gender]]. Since they are not required to divorce before surgery, this could lead to de-facto [[same sex marriage]] if they stay with their spouse. The country of [[Brazil]] offers free sex change operations becouse they are considered a constitutional right.<ref>http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20323334/ns/health-health_care/t/brazil-provide-free-sex-change-operations/#.U1HYG8fw9Ea</ref> |
==Opposition== | ==Opposition== | ||
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==Famous Patients== | ==Famous Patients== | ||
| − | *Christine (George) Jorgensen: An American [[World War II]] veteran, George became Christine in a 1952 operation. This was the first widely publicized sex change surgery.<ref>[http://www.christinejorgensen.org/ Christine Jorgensen site]</ref> | + | *Christine (born George) Jorgensen: An American [[World War II]] veteran, George became Christine in a 1952 operation. This was the first widely publicized sex change surgery.<ref>[http://www.christinejorgensen.org/ Christine Jorgensen site]</ref> |
*[[Walter Carlos]], 1967 | *[[Walter Carlos]], 1967 | ||
| − | *Jan (James) Morris: A British [[World War II]] veteran, reporter, and father, Morris underwent sex change surgery in 1972.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/profile/profile_jan_morris.shtml Jan Morris: A Profile]</ref> | + | *Jan (born James) Morris: A British [[World War II]] veteran, reporter, and father, Morris underwent sex change surgery in 1972.<ref>[http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/documentaries/profile/profile_jan_morris.shtml Jan Morris: A Profile]</ref> |
| − | * | + | *Renée Richards (born Richard Raskind): An American eye surgeon and tennis player. Richards made waves in 1976, when she entered amateur [[tennis]] competitions as a woman.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/01/garden/01renee.html The Lady Regrets]</ref> |
| + | *Chaz (born Chasity) Bono: Child of [[Sonny and Cher]]. Underwent irreversible gender surgery in 2009, and legally became a man when the Los Angeles County Superior Court approved his name and gender change on 6 May 2010.<ref>http://www.nndb.com/people/209/000108882/</ref> | ||
| + | *Lana (born Larry) Wachowski: Co-Director of [[The Matrix]] trilogy.<ref>http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/category/entities/people/lana-wachowski</ref> | ||
| + | *Laverne Cox (birth name unknown): First transsexual actor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy. <ref>http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/tv/la-et-st-emmys-laverne-cox-trans-orange-is-the-new-black-20140710-story.html</ref> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 03:07, July 12, 2014
The idea of sex change is based on the notion that a person of one gender can be born "trapped" in an opposite-gender body. The theory plays havoc with traditional ideas of masculinity and femininity.
It has been embraced primarily by advocates of the 1960s sexual revolution such as homosexual rights activists, but rejected by the Roman Catholic Church.[1]
Transgendered patients seek to undergo surgical sex change operations (also known as gender reassignment surgery) to change their external appearance to to that of the gender with which they identify. Patients often undergo psychotherapy, hormone treatment, and facial surgery as well. In the United States, a patient must undergo counseling before being approved for the surgery. Patients in the US are also required to have two letters of recommendation from certified psychiatrists, and must have lived a year acting as the gender that they identify with. [2] Patients sometimes choose to have the surgery done abroad in places like Thailand for three reasons: 1. It is often less expensive for the patient, 2. The patient may be able to bypass some legal restrictions, 3. The surgeons in Thailand have a reputation of being particularly skilled in this area. [3]
It should be noted that hormone therapy and removing and adding body parts does not change the genetic makeup of an individual. On the genetic level, individuals who started as men are still men no matter what appearance they choose and women who started as women are still women after surgery as well.
Legality
Different states have different laws regarding the status of people who have had sex change operations. Generally, their birth certificates are reissued with their new legal gender. Since they are not required to divorce before surgery, this could lead to de-facto same sex marriage if they stay with their spouse. The country of Brazil offers free sex change operations becouse they are considered a constitutional right.[4]
Opposition
J. Michael Bailey wrote a book which disagrees with the "born trapped" theory.
- In his book, he argued that some people born male who want to cross genders are driven primarily by an erotic fascination with themselves as women. [5]
Dr. Bailey has come under tremendous social and administrative pressure from partisans who disagree with his scientific views. This pressure has focused primarily upon objections to the implications of his theory, rather than objections to his empirical evidence. Rather than try to refute his empirical findings, "transgender activists worked to try to ruin Bailey professionally and personally." [6]
According to the Vatican,
- people who have undergone a sex-change operation cannot enter into a valid marriage, either because they would be marrying someone of the same sex in the eyes of the church or because their mental state casts doubt on their ability to make and uphold their marriage vows. [7]
Famous Patients
- Christine (born George) Jorgensen: An American World War II veteran, George became Christine in a 1952 operation. This was the first widely publicized sex change surgery.[8]
- Walter Carlos, 1967
- Jan (born James) Morris: A British World War II veteran, reporter, and father, Morris underwent sex change surgery in 1972.[9]
- Renée Richards (born Richard Raskind): An American eye surgeon and tennis player. Richards made waves in 1976, when she entered amateur tennis competitions as a woman.[10]
- Chaz (born Chasity) Bono: Child of Sonny and Cher. Underwent irreversible gender surgery in 2009, and legally became a man when the Los Angeles County Superior Court approved his name and gender change on 6 May 2010.[11]
- Lana (born Larry) Wachowski: Co-Director of The Matrix trilogy.[12]
- Laverne Cox (birth name unknown): First transsexual actor to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy. [13]
References
- ↑ "The key point is that the (transsexual) surgical operation is so superficial and external that it does not change the personality. If the person was male, he remains male. If she was female, she remains female." [1]
- ↑ http://www.wpath.org/publications_standards.cfm
- ↑ http://www.bangkokcompanies.com/Surgery/thailandsurgery_sex_change_surgery.htm
- ↑ http://www.nbcnews.com/id/20323334/ns/health-health_care/t/brazil-provide-free-sex-change-operations/#.U1HYG8fw9Ea
- ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/21/health/psychology/21gender.html?ex=1345348800&en=0c1176374e251f82&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss
- ↑ http://www.bioethics.northwestern.edu/faculty/work/dreger/controversy_tmwwbq.pdf
- ↑ http://ai.eecs.umich.edu/people/conway/TS/CatholicTSDecision.html
- ↑ Christine Jorgensen site
- ↑ Jan Morris: A Profile
- ↑ The Lady Regrets
- ↑ http://www.nndb.com/people/209/000108882/
- ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/category/entities/people/lana-wachowski
- ↑ http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/tv/la-et-st-emmys-laverne-cox-trans-orange-is-the-new-black-20140710-story.html
