A New Gender Paradigm
TG Myths
The Old Paradigm encouraged gender confusion within its disciples, resulting in a vast mythology in the popular imagination. Here's a selection:
TS MYTH #1 Being transsexual is a CHOICE
Transsexuals were born with genitals that didn’t match their permanent innate insight of who they are—their Gender Identity.
Genitals are visible at the moment of birth, so the obstetrician proclaims, “It’s a girl!”
If newborns could talk, they could shout back, “No! I’m not! I’m a boy!”
Then there’d BE no transsexuals.
Unfortunately children have to be 2-3 years old before they have the insight to make that “I’m a boy” statement. By then the parents have already painted the nursery pink. The closet is full of princess dresses.
“You can’t change your mind now!” storms the frustrated parent.
EXCEPT… The child DIDN’T change her mind. The truth is, sometimes obstetricians are wrong.
TS MYTH #2 Transsexuality is about STEREOTYPES
“If boys were allowed to cry and to wear brightly colored skirts, then transsexuals would choose to remain boys.”
Gender Identity—a person’s internal awareness about their reproductive role—declares FEMALE or MALE (or somewhere in between). The person then decides what female or male means in their culture: dress, values, social roles, etc.
Gender & Gender Identity use social stereotypes to determine Gender Expression. Changing stereotypes will change gender expression, but will NOT affect gender or gender identity.
...And transsexuality is about Gender Identity, not Gender Expression.
TS MYTH #3 Transsexuals are INSANE
“A boy would have to be crazy to want to turn into a girl.”
Absolutely true. No one can change their gender identity; it's innate and permanent. Nor do transsexuals WANT to change their gender or gender identity. They want to correct their biology—their physical anatomy.
TS MYTH #4 Transsexuality is CONTAGIOUS
“If given the chance, EVERY boy would choose to become a girl.”
Hmm. This is the opposite of Myth #3. But still wrong because transsexuality has nothing to do with CHOOSING gender or CHANGING gender identity. NOBODY is willing to permanently change their gender, even if they could. Not for the most glorious rewards or the most terrible punishments.
They're definitely not going to do it just because they met a transsexual.
TG MYTH #1 Androgynes (“Crossdressers”) are the same as Transsexuals
An androgyne has a MIXTURE of Male & Female traits. They’re disapproved of because they don’t fit the orthodox stereotypes.
A transsexual is TOTALLY MALE or TOTALLY FEMALE. Their problem is wrong biology made everyone think they were something completely different than their True Self. They’re disapproved of because the general population is fixated on their genitals instead of on their brain and their innate personality.
TG MYTH #2 Androgynes (“Crossdressers”) are sexually aroused by public exposure
Many believe that transgenders are like flashers: they’re sexually aroused by wearing women’s clothes in public. They get off by shocking the innocent. Being transgender is a form of public masturbation.
Except transgenders become aware of their status in early childhood--between 3 and 5 years. A DECADE before raging hormones teach them about sexual arousal.
In fact most “dressing” takes place sealed in a closet. Being seen is the last thing most androgynes want.
TG MYTH #3 Only Males Become Transgender
There are both female AND male transgenders, in approximately equal numbers. Sissies and effeminate males are biologic males with effeminate personality traits and interests. Butches and tomboys are biologic females with masculine personality traits and interests (Gender).
...Or are men biologic males with butch personalities?
Some transsexuals were born with a female Gender (personality) but male biology; others were born with male Gender but female biology.
TS MYTH #1 Being transsexual is a CHOICE
Transsexuals were born with genitals that didn’t match their permanent innate insight of who they are—their Gender Identity.
Genitals are visible at the moment of birth, so the obstetrician proclaims, “It’s a girl!”
If newborns could talk, they could shout back, “No! I’m not! I’m a boy!”
Then there’d BE no transsexuals.
Unfortunately children have to be 2-3 years old before they have the insight to make that “I’m a boy” statement. By then the parents have already painted the nursery pink. The closet is full of princess dresses.
“You can’t change your mind now!” storms the frustrated parent.
EXCEPT… The child DIDN’T change her mind. The truth is, sometimes obstetricians are wrong.
TS MYTH #2 Transsexuality is about STEREOTYPES
“If boys were allowed to cry and to wear brightly colored skirts, then transsexuals would choose to remain boys.”
Gender Identity—a person’s internal awareness about their reproductive role—declares FEMALE or MALE (or somewhere in between). The person then decides what female or male means in their culture: dress, values, social roles, etc.
Gender & Gender Identity use social stereotypes to determine Gender Expression. Changing stereotypes will change gender expression, but will NOT affect gender or gender identity.
...And transsexuality is about Gender Identity, not Gender Expression.
TS MYTH #3 Transsexuals are INSANE
“A boy would have to be crazy to want to turn into a girl.”
Absolutely true. No one can change their gender identity; it's innate and permanent. Nor do transsexuals WANT to change their gender or gender identity. They want to correct their biology—their physical anatomy.
TS MYTH #4 Transsexuality is CONTAGIOUS
“If given the chance, EVERY boy would choose to become a girl.”
Hmm. This is the opposite of Myth #3. But still wrong because transsexuality has nothing to do with CHOOSING gender or CHANGING gender identity. NOBODY is willing to permanently change their gender, even if they could. Not for the most glorious rewards or the most terrible punishments.
They're definitely not going to do it just because they met a transsexual.
TG MYTH #1 Androgynes (“Crossdressers”) are the same as Transsexuals
An androgyne has a MIXTURE of Male & Female traits. They’re disapproved of because they don’t fit the orthodox stereotypes.
A transsexual is TOTALLY MALE or TOTALLY FEMALE. Their problem is wrong biology made everyone think they were something completely different than their True Self. They’re disapproved of because the general population is fixated on their genitals instead of on their brain and their innate personality.
TG MYTH #2 Androgynes (“Crossdressers”) are sexually aroused by public exposure
Many believe that transgenders are like flashers: they’re sexually aroused by wearing women’s clothes in public. They get off by shocking the innocent. Being transgender is a form of public masturbation.
Except transgenders become aware of their status in early childhood--between 3 and 5 years. A DECADE before raging hormones teach them about sexual arousal.
In fact most “dressing” takes place sealed in a closet. Being seen is the last thing most androgynes want.
TG MYTH #3 Only Males Become Transgender
There are both female AND male transgenders, in approximately equal numbers. Sissies and effeminate males are biologic males with effeminate personality traits and interests. Butches and tomboys are biologic females with masculine personality traits and interests (Gender).
...Or are men biologic males with butch personalities?
Some transsexuals were born with a female Gender (personality) but male biology; others were born with male Gender but female biology.
© Cassandra Branch MD
