In 1995, Chastity Bono let the world know that she was a lesbian, a woman who is sexually attracted to other women. Recently, the news reported that the former Chastity Bono, who will now go by Chaz Bono in his new male persona, is taking steps toward physically transitioning from being female to becoming male. If done completely, female to male (FTM) transitioning consists of Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS), wherein surgical procedures divest one of all female physical components: a complete hysterectomy to remove the female reproductive system (ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus, and vagina) and use of tissues to create the genitalia of a male, and a bilateral mastectomy to remove breast tissue and mammary glands. These procedures are usually accompanied by the taking of male hormones – testosterone – to induce masculine traits such as the growth of facial hair and heavier body hair, deepening the voice, and increasing muscle mass.
Chaz Bono is not alone, nor is his situation “new.” It doesn’t help that Chaz grew up in the glare of Hollywood’s harsh spotlight where everyone knows everyone else’s secrets and no one can live their lives in privacy. There are many individuals who live more private lives who have taken these same steps and there are also men who have chosen to become women (MTF) as best as modern medicine will allow, first through orchiectomy and penectomy, but saving some tissue to allow for the formation of female body structures. Additional elective cosmetic surgery usually includes breast enhancements, tracheal shaves, and facial sculpting. Prescriptions of female hormones – estrogen and progesterone – may complete the illusion by softening the skin and redistributing body fat over time.
Such would have been part of the treatment that the former American GI, George Jorgensen, would have undergone in the early 1950s to become Christine Jorgensen in Denmark, one of the few countries whose physicians performed such surgeries at that time. Long before such surgery is ever considered, an individual is usually diagnosed with gender dysphoria, a condition or mental realization of “being” a member of the opposite sex than that of the body into which he or she was born. SRS is one solution for those who cannot bear to live their lives identifying with the gender of their bodies. Many transgendered individuals never reach this stage, however, having resorted to suicide to end a lifelong inner struggle within a society which polarizes humanity into two separate and distinct genders.
In the past few years, I have known and met a number of individuals who have “found” themselves, after many years of pondering their souls and their psyches, as to why they felt and behaved the way the did, many enduring a life long yearning to be a member of the opposite sex than that into which they were born. Dr. Harry Benjamin pioneered the research and pondered the issues of gender dysphoria, although unable to pin down a cause – if any – which covers the range of behaviors from occasional cross dressing or transvestitism to the extreme of SRS and the legal documentation that stems from changing one’s name to match the new gender in which they intend to live. Many states are enacting laws to protect transsexuals in the workplace and elsewhere just as minorities, for example, have also achieved protection under the law.
Comments
Think you may have meant, MTF for the women not FTM.
Also you forgot recontouring of the chest that he will under go once breast tissue is removed.
Also forgot to mention vaginalplasty for the women as well.
Not all women have face surgery, breast implants or trech shaves.
A person who is trabsexual, and science documents this, has a brain structure different then that of their genitals. Because of this they correct the body to bring it inline with their core gender aka brain.
Transgender is an umbrella term which includes people who do not conform to what society sees as "normal" gender behaviour. ie Those who cross dress , effeminate men, butch women, women who love women, men who love men, people who are bisexual, people who are transexual,gender benders, drag kings and queens, transvestities and a list of others. The term is more confusing then not since when using it one really isn't saying what they mean.
I applaud your courage for writing about us transfolk and gently request knowledge and sensitivity in articles on the subject. Two resources that can help are the AP Stylebook, which clarifies that male pronouns are appropriate for Chaz. He has a male mind, which is so much more who we are than just the body. Another helpful resource is "Suggested Rules for Non-Transsexuals Writing about Transsexuals, Transsexuality, Transsexualism, or Trans ____." (the site won't let me link you)
Thank you again and have a lovely day :)
your article is well worded & fascinating.
a new compassion is needed for "confusing" new individuals
this transitioning process to me is intriguing & dramatically engaging. I know of few stage dramas which have dealt with this..compelling & mesmerizing. the human soul is eternal...so in infinity the sparkle is consistently there forever..may God bless these sensitive brave souls on their passages..may their stories be portals for us to new compassion..
Awesome work Leslie! Incredible article! I applaud your tackling of this subject! It so desperately needs to be addressed! I'm also honored to be one of the individuals you have met that you mentioned!
Thank you for shedding some light for folks that may not understand what goes on inside our minds and hearts!
Take care!
Lance
Great work Leslie, it's always a blessing to have people become more informed of trans-peoples' plight. We're seldom depicted in such a respectful manner. Thank you!
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