Transsexualism, and its bed-fellows

• Posted by Hannah Ceridwen Eluned Cavendish-Grosvenor December 10, 2015 Filed in Society Girl's Personal Blogs 1,320 views
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  Gender Identity Disorder of Childhood, Dual Role Transvestitism and Transsexualism remain in the GID section of the World Health Organisation's International Statistical Classification of Disease and Related Health Problems (ICD-10. However, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) and others have recommended that Transsexualism is eliminated from the Mental Heallth chapter of the revised edition of the ICD-(11) in 2017.

  The accepted diagnosis of Transsexualism presently rests on the presence of 3 features: a) a sense of discomfort with, or inappropriateness of, one's anatomical sexual characteristics b) a desire to live, function and gain acceptance as a member of one's preferred sex c) a wish to commit oneself to a pathway enabling achievement of as congruent a body as possible within one's preferred sex, by medical means.

  The American Medical Association's (AMA) Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) removed Transsexualism as a diagnosis and replaced it with 'Gender Dysphoria' (GD). the general consensus now, within the AMA, is that this is not in and of itself a Disorder; and, that the GD community should not be unnecessarily stigmatised. It would appear the 'real' reason for maintaining GD in the register is down to facilitating medical and surgical treatment through medical insurance; and, here in the UK, National Health Service free treatment.

  WPATH have stated that it is highly likely that GD is an inherited and inborn trait. It further states that there is widespread 'insensitivity on the part of Mental Health professionals in continuing to 'label' GD as a Disease (Mental Ilness). It further states that those with Sexual Identity Disorders should be separated and excluded from the GD group, as the group are 'Gender Sensitive' only.

  Further blogs will touch on 1.a) Drag Queens and Kings b) Gender Illusionists 2. Pantomine Dames 3. Homovestitism 4. Transvestic Fetishism 5. Cross-Dressers 6. a) Transvestitism b) Dual-role Transvestitism 7. Bigender / Dualgender 8. Gender Fluidity 9. Cogender 10. Breeching 11. Pinafore Eroticism in Adults 12. Residual Pagan Culture Cross-dressing

  I confirm that I am currently a Registered Medical Practitioner with undergraduate training in Psychiatry, and a life-long intereat in Gender Identity.

  Harriet (Hannah)

  MD ChB(Hons) LRCP MRCS MCOphth MRCP FRCS FRCOphth FRCSEd

  Professor of Oculo-Plastic and Orbital Surgery

  Consultant in Facial Feminisation Surgery