Changes

'''Gender identity disorder''' is a medical diagnosis for a mental disorder according to the DSM IV, which indicates a "strong and persistent cross-gender identification." <ref>http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/genderiddis.htm</ref>  In previous versions of the [[DSM]], this had been called "Gender Dysphoria", but now that term is used specifically to refer to a specific psychological criterion of GID which requires that "there must also be evidence of persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex." <ref>http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/genderiddis.htm</ref>

'''Gender identity disorder''' is a medical diagnosis for a mental disorder according to the DSM IV, which indicates a "strong and persistent cross-gender identification." <ref name="behavenet.com">http://www.behavenet.com/capsules/disorders/genderiddis.htm</ref>  In previous versions of the [[DSM]], this had been called "Gender Dysphoria", but now that term is used specifically to refer to a specific psychological criterion of GID which requires that "there must also be evidence of persistent discomfort about one's assigned sex or a sense of inappropriateness in the gender role of that sex." <ref name="behavenet.com"/>

In the ICD, this mental disorder remains known as the more common term "'''transsexualism'''", which as its first diagnostic criterion requires the individual to have a "desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to make his or her body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex through surgery and hormone treatment." As with gender dysphoria, homosexuality alone does not clinically satisfy this criterion, but is strongly affirming when in conjunction with other desires to [[sex change|be the opposite sex]].

In the ICD, this mental disorder remains known as the more common term "'''transsexualism'''", which as its first diagnostic criterion requires the individual to have a "desire to live and be accepted as a member of the opposite sex, usually accompanied by the wish to make his or her body as congruent as possible with the preferred sex through surgery and hormone treatment." As with gender dysphoria, homosexuality alone does not clinically satisfy this criterion, but is strongly affirming when in conjunction with other desires to [[sex change|be the opposite sex]].

How this condition relates to [[homosexuality]] is hotly debated.  At the time of Kinsey's evaluation of human sexual behavior, transsexualism was modeled as being so homosexual that one felt a need to interact with heterosexual members of their own sex.{{fact}}

How this condition relates to [[homosexuality]] is hotly debated.  At the time of Kinsey's evaluation of human sexual behavior, transsexualism was modeled as being so homosexual that one felt a need to interact with heterosexual members of their own sex.{{fact}}

However, the [[Kinsey]] model fails to account for a significant amount of transsexuals, who are attracted to people of the opposite gender as their destination gender.  As a result, [[Transgender activism|transgender activists]] claim that sexual orientation and [[gender identity]] are independent of one another. <ref name="controvery_tmwwbq">http://www.bioethics.northwestern.edu/faculty/work/dreger/controversy_tmwwbq.pdf</ref>

However, the [[Kinsey]] model fails to account for a significant amount of transsexuals, who are attracted to people of the opposite gender as their destination gender.  As a result, [[Transgender activism|transgender activists]] claim that sexual orientation and [[gender identity]] are independent of one another.<ref name="controvery_tmwwbq">http://www.bioethics.northwestern.edu/faculty/work/dreger/controversy_tmwwbq.pdf</ref>

Critics of this model, such as [[J. Michael Bailey]], claim that such a model fails to properly account for  evidence that transsexuals can be divided into two separate and distinct categories. One group of males are so naturally effeminate and develop identically to homosexuals in youth that it is considered better for them to be a women, than to continue to struggle and/or fail as men.  These naturally effeminate transsexuals contrast with all other transsexuals, who are described as having a form of non-harmful [[paraphilia]], called autogynephilia, whereby their erotic desires revolve around considering themselves as women.  This paraphilia then progresses to consume their erotic desires. As the erotic gratification naturally diminishes, it is supplemented by deeper and deeper fantasies and acts, which culminate in the compulsion to actually become the woman that they have imagined themselves to be. Unlike transsexuals who are naturally effeminate these transsexuals with a paraphilia are empirically shown to share a common and frequent rejection from family, friends and society that are outside of the [[transgender]] community, as they continue to remain notably masculine and behave differently from natural females, regardless of how much surgical intervention, or behaviorial training they seek.<ref name="controvery_tmwwbq" />

Critics of this model, such as [[J. Michael Bailey]], claim that such a model fails to properly account for  evidence that transsexuals can be divided into two separate and distinct categories. One group of males are so naturally effeminate and develop identically to homosexuals in youth that it is considered better for them to be a women, than to continue to struggle and/or fail as men.  These naturally effeminate transsexuals contrast with all other transsexuals, who are described as having a form of non-harmful [[paraphilia]], called autogynephilia, whereby their erotic desires revolve around considering themselves as women.  This paraphilia then progresses to consume their erotic desires. As the erotic gratification naturally diminishes, it is supplemented by deeper and deeper fantasies and acts, which culminate in the compulsion to actually become the woman that they have imagined themselves to be. Unlike transsexuals who are naturally effeminate these transsexuals with a paraphilia are empirically shown to share a common and frequent rejection from family, friends and society that are outside of the [[transgender]] community, as they continue to remain notably masculine and behave differently from natural females, regardless of how much surgical intervention, or behaviorial training they seek.<ref name="controvery_tmwwbq" />