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 version of the DSM, this has been called "Gender Dysphoria", but now that term is used specifically to refer to a 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>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> Clinically, homosexuality alone does not satisfy this criterion, as it requires discomfort in social, and interpersonal roles, not simply in sexual roles. However, homosexuality is a strongly affirming element of this criterion, when present in conjunction with discomfort in the other roles.

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."

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 be the opposite sex.

A set of International Standards of Care <ref>http://www.wpath.org/Documents2/socv6.pdf</ref> guide most physicians, and therapists around the world in a widely accepted medical process that begins with [[Reparative Therapy]] intended to dissuade patients from the permanent and irreversible physical alterations that could seriously damage their mental health.  Patients are expected, and strongly encouraged to attempt to resolve this disorder without physical intervention, however when such therapy has been found to not make a positive impact on the patient, then the standards indicate physical interventions, which are focused and intended to improve the mental health of the patient, or ease their assimilation into the new role in order to alleviate stress from societal, and cultural pressures against transsexualism.

A set of International Standards of Care <ref>http://www.wpath.org/Documents2/socv6.pdf</ref> guide most physicians, and therapists around the world in a widely accepted medical process that begins with a form of [[Reparative Therapy]], which is intended to dissuade patients from the permanent and irreversible physical alterations that could seriously damage their mental health.  Patients are expected, and strongly encouraged to attempt to resolve this disorder without physical intervention, however when such therapy has been found to not make a positive impact on the patient's mental health, then the standards indicate physical interventions, which are focused and intended to improve the mental health of the patient, or ease their assimilation into the new role in order to alleviate stress from societal, and cultural pressures against transsexualism.

 

:The following section in intended to deal with the motives, and models behind transsexualism.

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 appear to be attracted to the the gender that they identify as.  As a resolution, modern and typically liberal [[Transgender activism|transgender activists]] have tended to present a model that transsexuals are fundamentally a man or woman trapped in the body of the other, and that their sexual orientation is entirely independent of their [[gender identity]].<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 appear to be attracted to the the gender opposite to what they were at birth.  As a resolution, modern and typically liberal [[Transgender activism|transgender activists]] have tended to present a model that transsexuals are fundamentally a man or woman trapped in the body of the other, and that their sexual orientation is entirely independent of their [[gender identity]].<ref name="controvery_tmwwbq">http://www.bioethics.northwestern.edu/faculty/work/dreger/controversy_tmwwbq.pdf</ref>

Critics of this common model for transsexualism, like [[J. Michael Bailey]] point out that such a model fails to properly account for the empirically evidence that transsexuals typically lie in two separate and distinct categories: whereas some males are so naturally effeminate and homosexual that it makes more sense for them to be women, than to continue to struggle and/or fail as men.  These naturally effeminate transsexuals contrasts with all other transsexuals, who are described to have a form of non-harmful [[paraphilia]], which consumes their erotic desires to view themselves as the opposite sex, and eventually motivates them to actually become the woman that they have imagined themselves to be. These non-natural transsexuals are empirically shown to share a common and frequent rejection from society, family, and friends outside of the [[transgender]] community as they remain notably distinct and different from natural females, regardless of how much surgical intervention, or behaviorial training they seek.<ref name="controvery_tmwwbq" />

Critics of this common model for transsexualism, like [[J. Michael Bailey]] point out that such a model fails to properly account for the empirically 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" />

==References==

==References==