Changes

The idea of "transitioning" (in both a surgical and a non-surgical sense) has been embraced primarily by advocates of the 1960s [[sexual revolution]] such as [[homosexual rights]] activists, but rejected by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and most conservative [[Protestant]] denominations, though some liberal churches (such as the [[Episcopalians]] and [[Unitarians]]), which no longer believe in the truth of Scripture, have become increasingly accepting of it.<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>

The idea of "transitioning" (in both a surgical and a non-surgical sense) has been embraced primarily by advocates of the 1960s [[sexual revolution]] such as [[homosexual rights]] activists, but rejected by the [[Roman Catholic Church]] and most conservative [[Protestant]] denominations, though some liberal churches (such as the [[Episcopalians]] and [[Unitarians]]), which no longer believe in the truth of Scripture, have become increasingly accepting of it.<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|Gender-confused]] patients seek to undergo surgical [[sex change operation]]s (also known as [[gender reassignment surgery]], or what amounts to surgical mutilation) to change their external appearance to that of the gender with which they claim to [[identify]].  Patients often undergo [[psychotherapy]], [[hormone treatment]], and facial surgery as well. A man, for example, will be prescribed artificial female hormones such as estrogen, which would cause him to develop larger breasts and other female physical characteristics; conversely, a woman would be given artificial male hormones such as testosterone, which would cause her to develop a deeper voice, more facial and body hair, and other male physical characteristics. What is often not disclosed, however, is that these hormones are by their nature highly disruptive of the body's normal processes and often have serious long-term side effects. Women who take testosterone for long periods, for example, are at increased risk for heart disease, and may have their reproductive ability seriously damaged.  

[[Transgender|Gender-confused]] patients seek to undergo surgical [[sex change operation]]s (also known as [[gender reassignment surgery]], or what amounts to surgical mutilation) to change their external appearance to that of the gender with which they claim to [[identify]].  Patients often undergo [[psychotherapy]], [[hormone treatment]], [[chemical castration]] and facial surgery as well. A man, for example, will be prescribed artificial female hormones such as estrogen, which would cause him to develop larger breasts and other female physical characteristics; conversely, a woman would be given artificial male hormones such as testosterone, which would cause her to develop a deeper voice, more facial and body hair, and other male physical characteristics. What is often not disclosed, however, is that these hormones are by their nature highly disruptive of the body's normal processes and often have serious long-term side effects. Women who take testosterone for long periods, for example, are at increased risk for heart disease, and may have their reproductive ability seriously damaged.  

In the United States, according to traditional practices, 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 claim to 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> However, even such "safeguards" as exist are frequently not observed in practice. Many individuals begin hormone therapy within a few months or even weeks of "coming out" as transgender, and many of the psychiatric evaluations are cursory only.

In the United States, according to traditional practices, 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 claim to 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> However, even such "safeguards" as exist are frequently not observed in practice. Many individuals begin hormone therapy within a few months or even weeks of "coming out" as transgender, and many of the psychiatric evaluations are cursory only.