A transsexual is a generic term that includes transvestites, transgender people, and transsexuals. It is important to differentiate between sex and gender. Sex has biological bases and is connected to hormones, genitals and hormones, among other things. Gender is a social construct and has to do with one’s inner sense of self and chosen self-expression.
People who cross-dress like to wear clothing associated with the opposite gender. Some of them simply feel more comfortable in such clothes, while others see it as another form of expression of their personality. Cross-dressing does not make you transsexual.
Transsexuals often have conflicting physical and psychological genders. The difference makes their lives quite difficult and leaves them with an important decision to make. They can choose to live as their biological sex (which is the hardest path for them) or they can choose to undergo quite radical procedures, such as hormone therapy or surgery, in order to live as their preferred gender.
A little vocabulary of sexual confusion:
FTM: From woman to man, also known as Trans Man.
MTF: Male to Female, also known as Tran Woman.
Gender Queer: Someone who identifies as male or female or who does not believe in the gender binary.
Coming out of the closet: Telling the truth about your sexual preferences for the first time.
Passing: Being perceived as the gender you are presenting.
Disclosure: Revealing your transgender status to someone.
Stealth: posing as non-trans without revealing trans status.
Binding: Flatten the chest to create a masculine torso.
Packaging: Using a device to create an external appearance of the male genitalia.
Drag: Wearing clothes appropriate for the opposite sex.
The process of declaring romantic or sexual interest in anything other than conventional heterosexual interest is called “coming out.” This process can begin with fantasies, same-gender attraction, perhaps sexual experimentation, and definitely feeling different from others in your peer group. This process is not easy and often leads to emotional distress and chaos.
Coming out is the process of admitting your sexual orientation to yourself and others. While coming out generally refers to revealing one’s homosexual identity, heterosexuals can also come out. However, heterosexual youth find it much easier to “come out.” LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning) youth must come to terms with their sexuality and resolve fears and doubts about it. The acceptance of our own sexual preference is an integral part of our sexuality and also of our identity. However, coming out in front of others creates new problems. Teens may face rejection from friends or family, could be kicked out of their homes, or find themselves separated from their families, financially or emotionally. This is not necessary. Some people are honored that the young man coming out has confidence in them, and it’s not uncommon for coming out to bring parents and children closer together.
It’s interesting that when LGBTQ youth are attracted to a member of the same sex, they often get the reaction, “You’re too young to know” or “It’s just a phase.” Although no one questions a teenager’s attraction to a member of the opposite sex in quite the same way.
Coming out of the closet also has historical aspects. Before the gay revolution of the 1970s, revealing a non-heterosexual identity could lead to police charges. The Gay Rights Movement was a catalyst for changing attitudes and policies, and the coming out of celebrities and athletic role models in the years since has also helped. Today, nearly half of the states in the United States recognize same-sex marriage, and the federal government has recognized it as well.
Coming out of the closet can be daunting, because there’s no easy way to tell someone about your sexual difference. A good idea is to tell only your closest friend or friends. You may need to know what you are going to say first, because people tend to have inaccurate perceptions and information about sex differences. The lack of initial support or positive response from friends and family should not discourage you, as it often takes some time for people to get used to this new information and they need to learn how to show support. If you want to tell everyone that you’re different, it would be a good idea to tell the loudest of your friends.
Every year an increasing number of gay, lesbian, and bisexual teens come out. Coming out of the closet is no less difficult today than it was 30 years ago. We just find a little more acceptance in some parts of society. Today, gay teens may not label themselves as LGBTQ, because they don’t feel the need for a label, or are simply trying to avoid homophobic stigmatization.
