Transgenderism

The theory of sex change is based on the notion that a person of one sex can be born "trapped" in an opposite-sex 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.

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 years of counciling before being approved for the surgery. Patients sometimes choose to have the surgery done abroad in places like Thailand, where anyone with the money can have the surgery.

Legality

Different states have different laws reguarding the status of people who have had sex change operations. Generally, their birth certificates are reissued with their new gender. Since they are not required to divorce before surgery, this could lead do de-facto same sex marriage if they stay with their spouse.

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. [1]

Dr. Bailey has come under tremendous social and administrative pressure from partisans who disagree with his scientific views. None of this pressure is related to scientific disagreement however, but is purely motivated by objections to the implications of his theory. Rather than try to refute his scientific findings (say, by publishing research of their own in a peer-reviewed journal), "transgender activists worked to try to ruin Bailey professionally and personally." [2]

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>Christine Jorgensen site
• Jan (James) Morris: A British World War II veteran, reporter, and father, Morris underwent sex change surgery in 1972.
• Dr. Rene Richards (Richard Raskin): An American doctor and tennis player. Richards made waves in 1976, when she entered amature tennis competitions as a woman.