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re: Difficulties a trans person might face - October 7th 2014, 03:14 AM

Difficulties a trans person might face [when? On a daily basis? It might be good to clarify.]
By Nicole (Pug Princess)

The concept of gender was created to be composed of two simple labels in order to categorize society, however for many people it is a very complicated process to figure out how to define oneself. [Make sure you're not confusing 'sex' with 'gender'. There are two sexes, but many genders.] Some people grow up thinking that they were born the “wrong way” because they don’t like the opposite gender which is what society deems is “correct.” In other cases, people feel that they were not born as the right gender, and that is what causes them to take steps to transition to the other gender, hence the term transexual [might be good to define it.]

Problems prior to transitioning
Many people feel confused as to whether they fit more under the girl category, or the boy category. What makes this more complicated is that gender roles can vary. For example, gay men may act more feminine, and gay women may act more masculine. This leads some people to wonder whether they should transition, or if they are just fine the way they are. The answer to this problem is that there is it depends on each person. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide whether they are comfortable as their own gender, or if it would benefit them to transition. [I don't feel like this is entirely correct. I'm not an expert, but to me it doesn't really seem like most transgender people are uncomfortable with their gender - they just feel like their sex doesn't match, ie. the sex they were assigned at birth doesn't fit with the way they feel. Does that make sense?]

If an individual decides to transition, they have two options: hormone replacement therapy (HRT) or surgery.

Hormone replacement therapy when transitioning male to female includes taking estrogen which is the most common [most common what? Hormone? Again, could help to clarify.]. It can be taken in combination with progestins, another type of hormone.[What do these hormones do, and why would they be taken?] Testosterone can also be taken. When transitioning female to male, androgens are commonly taken. Hormones typically can be taken orally, be injected, and can even come in topical creams. It’s best to speak with your doctor about what regimen would be best.

The other option, surgery, also called sex reassignment surgery, is also an option. It is important to remember there isn’t anything wrong with having this procedure done. If this option is chosen, it is likely that after the procedure hormones will be prescribed to influence the growth of breasts for mtf, or androgens to influence the growth of facial hair for ftm [I don't think you've defined these terms, and many people may not be familiar with them.] for example. It is difficult to find accurate statistics regarding sex reassignment surgery, however it is estimated that between 100 and 500 surgeries are done each year [in the world, or just in the US?]. The procedure is not reversible practically [not sure about the use of the word there] because it involves removing testicles for men, and removing breasts for females. It is a complicated procedure, but can be very effective in making people feel more comfortable with their decided gender. [Again, I feel like it's not really a 'decision'.]

Problems after transitioning

One of the first problems that may arise after transitioning is how friends, family, and the public will react. This tends to be fearful enough that it prevents people from ever transitioning. [Who is fearful? The individual or the public?] In reality, many people will be supportive of transitioning. [Supportive of it in general, or accepting if someone they know goes through with it?] The people who are judgemental or make their negative opinions about it known are the people who don’t matter. [Seems a little emotive.] People usually disagree with what they don’t understand. That being said, talking about wanting to transition with loved ones beforehand will reduce the shock factor and may give them time to get used to the idea. Often times parents have trouble coping at first because they raised their child to be a certain gender. If after transitioning your parents aren’t as supportive as you hoped, give them time. They may just need to get used to it first.

Another problem a trans person may face is not just gaining acceptance from loved ones, but also gaining acceptance when meeting new people. Transitioning may feel like it should be kept a secret when you first meet someone, however it is best to be honest and proud of the decision you made. In regards to seeking out people to date, being transgendered can also make it seem like an even more difficult process. The Ttruth is, many people will not care if a person used to be a different gender.

Overall, the best way to cope with transitioning is to be proud of who you are. If you exert confidence, people are more likely to feel comfortable than if you are uncomfortable yourself. Transitioning is not unnatural in any way, and you’re not alone in the process. If you or anyone you know is in need of support regarding transitioning, PFLAG National is a great organization. They have over 350 groups across the nation that you can get involved with. [If possible, could you maybe list some resources for people outside 'the nation'... and also specify which nation you're talking about? ]


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