Identity Confusion in my Gender Groups

• Posted by Hannah Ceridwen Eluned Cavendish-Grosvenor December 3, 2015 Filed in Society Girl's Personal Blogs 2,617 views
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  This blog takes into consideration a) that all textbooks and similar publications on any scientific or medical matter are generally 'out-of'date' at the point of printing b) that I am a Registered Medical Practitioner c) my Pychiatric training was at an under-graduate level d) that bias is introduced to this blog, as a result of self-interest.

  I am a Transsexual ( Gender Dysohoria, historically described as 'Gender Identity Disorder 0, and have been professionally fully assessed and given the WHO ICD code of F64.0.I will dwell on this group no further.

  Transgender: This group, and the above sub-division, embrace individuals who assign themselves to the cross-dressing group. I do not propose to dwell on either, but would be plesased to elaborate on my personal views in the future. 

  In our Trans Groups are a whole spectrum of members, often confused as to which 'box' assigned by a 'well-meaning' Society to jump in to. This 'need' is irrelevant, as we are all 'cast adrift', by the same 'caring Society' in a rowing boat with just a sextant for help. As a senior member of the two groups, I am asked to help, on occasions.

  My working module is fluid, adaptable in light of new evidence, personal to me: and, open to consructive critisism.For those interested, here it is, naked as the day it was born with all defects, scars and blemishes visible and open to scrutiny:

  DRAG Individuals: Mainly males having 'a bit of fun' Exaggerated female features make-up and dress a) Queens/Kings b)Pantomine (Travesti) Dames (single sex entertainment groups) c) Faux Queens, females imitating drag queens.

  CROSS-DRESSER: Not a psychological problem unless it interferes with relationships/work etc. The term implies no specific cause for this behaviour. Accoutrements/clothes are generally associated with the opposite sex in any given society. A) Comfort b) Self expression/actualisation c) Disguise:1/ entertainment plot device 2/ Women wanting employment in men-only occupations 3/ Males escaping military service, Police etc. 4/ Protest (Political or Social) in support of a majority group from the opposite sex (eg. Rebecca Riots).

  Genderfuck: Males in female attire with noticeable male features, such as a Father Xmas beard.

  TRANSVESTITISM or TRANSVESTISM (also see cross-dressing, above):

  Participants may be Hetero-sexual, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-gender or Asexual. this term is often associated, by the professionals who originally ( unwisely in my opinion ) defined it, with sexual arousal on donning the relevant garments. This loose and ill-defined term is considered highly derogatory by any person whose self (or professional) appraisal is that they have Transgender status.

  BIGENDER/DUAL GENDER: A high incidence of Bipolar-disorder (9 of 32 in one study) and Ambidextrous nature have been stated. Individuals find the switch is involuntary, in the main; and, occurs frequently when they conciously prefer to be in the other gender/ behaviour pattern.Some identify 2 or more distinct male and female personas, or 2 genders simultaneously.Studies indicate that this is rare in the Gender community (less than 3% males and 8% females: 1999 study from the Health Dept., San Francisco)).

  GENDER FLUIDITY:Individuals appear generally not to have the 'switch mechanism' of the Bigender group: experiencing an entire range or spectrum of gender identity without jumping in and out of fixed gender identities; and this takes place over an extended period.

  TRANSVESTIC FETISHISM ( A DIAGNOSTIC "PARAPHILIA"): this is the only Gender Variant presently defined by the APA as a Psychiatric Disorder; and, with this current label, you don't want or need this diagnosis.

  DSM-IV defined this condition as ocurring only in hetero-sexual males: DSM-V defines it as ocurring in both males and females of any sexual persuasion. Individuals have no problem with their assigned gender. They suffer a) Homovestism ( sexual arousal on donning a sex-typical garment), and b) significant and demonstrable impairment/distress of personal, social and/or occupational interaction, merely as a result of compulsive cross-dressing. if these two criteria are met, a diagnosis is confirmed.

  Behavioural characteristics ( not exclusive to this group, thankfully, and from personal experience )can include: a) the accumulation of sex-typical garments ( shoes and boots, panty-hose, stockings, lingerie ( including brassieres and slips), night attire, bridal gowns and 'baby-doll' attire. b) dressing in individual items, c) the use of dressing-agencies to source/provide the above items, and appropriate/relevant photography. d) The accumulation of a 'portfolio' of appropriate images for personal gratification ( acting out fantasies ) and subsequent internet distribution. Well that's me neatly summed up in a single paragraph: however, please promise not to tell Charing X GIC!

  KEY words: APA Americann Psychiatric Association: WHO World Health Organisation ICD International Statistical Classification of Disease and associated Disorders.

  Harriet: MD ChB (VU) LRCP MRCS FCOphth MRCP(UK) FRCS (Eng) FRCOphth FRCSEd

  Emeritus Professor of Oculo-plastic, Facial-feminisation and Orbital Surgery

  SUMMARY: I hope that this, my personal voyage around a constantly changing sea, is of some little help to other members, to enlighten and stimulate further comment, study and research. My life-boat has finally beached off a lovely south facing beach of an idyllic 'tropical island' amongst a lovely Transgender community. Where the Cannibals allegedly live over the far side of the unclimbable mountains on the north coast, and are apparantly incapable of building boats (I hope).