Gender life on the otherside RChambers

Gender Spectrum: 

Gender Spectrum Gender, sex and life on the other side Ruth Chambers and Jessica Cole

Slide2: 

Ruth Chambers I am a transvestite / cross dresser try to be as feminine as possible cross dress once or twice a week married with children family know about Ruth North West Regional Organiser for The Beaumont Society

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Jessica Cole (Jess) I am a trans woman Husband, father, soldier, engineer, international businessman, sportsman Gender transition in 2001 Multiple surgeries and treatments 2003 - 2005 Legal gender recognition 2005. Degree in Contemporary Arts - Masters Degree in Law - Dip. Gender, Sexuality andamp; Human Rights Currently undertaking a creative PhD exploring diverse transgender identities through fiction Charity worker, academic, lecturer, activist, writer.

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Trans community Based on 'best estimates', in the UK today - over 2 million people 'cross dress' and, reportedly, 1 in 10 wives live with a Cross Dresser Official estimates are 5000 UK post operative transsexuals (Gov. figures but assumed to be under-estimated). Other figures estimate up to 35,000 are, or will be, ‘transsexual’ based on current population figures (Gay Liberation experience/informed extrapolation)

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Trans community Most Trans people are heterosexual Trans people are often ‘normal’ parents with children Most Trans people are employed and live productively in society. Crime rates amongst trans people are low Most Trans people do not cross-dress or transgress gender norms for any sexual purpose The need for secrecy often leads to isolation, loneliness, guilt and fear for the future.

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WHY/WHAT ? There is no known definitive explanation - however: All foetuses are initially female. Apparently physical and ‘brain’ sex are separately set in gestation through hormonal effects triggered by genetic factors. Gender identity, whilst heavily influenced by socialisation, is believed to be finally fixed as late as 6 years of age, normally in-line with brain sex. In trans people their core gender identity (brain sex) does not accord with genetic sex and the physical development of genitalia/secondary sexual characteristics - and thus their birth assigned gender role. It may be that gender dysphoria is an intersex condition There is no ‘cure’ for this condition - only to bring self-perceived gender identity and physicality into concordance

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MtF andamp; FtM Although the perceived cross-dressing phenomenon is mostly associated with males to females, Gender Dysphoria also affects females to males (FtM) However, as women have greater dress and gender freedom in modern Society, there are few FtM TV/CDs, other than in the lesbian community. FtM sex change genital (bottom) surgery is far more complex, less satisfactory (and more expensive) than MtF. Many trans men limit themselves to 'top' surgery and hysterectomy, others do not enter the medical system at all and are excluded from estimates of numbers.

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TS andamp; TV/CD TS Transsexual / Trans man / Trans woman. A person whose gender-identity is not congruent with their physical sexual characteristics and consequent birth assigned gender role. TV / CD Transvestite / Cross Dresser. A person who feels compelled to put on the clothing normally worn by the opposite gender. - The two terms are not universally defined. TG Transgendered. A generic term for gender transgressives

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GD RG GG BG TF GD Gender Dysphoria. The name applied by the medical fraternity for the condition experienced by a TS. (See DSM IV) RG 'Real Girl' (sometimes GG for Genetic Girl or BG for Biological Girl), used to differentiate those designated female at birth from Trans women. TF Tranny-Fancier. Used to identify a person, normally a gay-male (but not always), who is sexually attracted to TV/CD and pre-operative Trans - women.

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Fetishists These tend to be a highly visible and sexually active part of both the Trans and non - Trans communities. Some indulge in rituals, such as fetish dressing, female dominance - or in more extreme forms such as bondage and Sandamp;M. However, fetishism is not directly related to Transgenderism - but may be linked to it in any individual, as for homo, bi or hetero sexuality

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The Gender Spectrum Many Trans people believe they can be anywhere on the spectrum Some believe they can move anywhere on the spectrum and that their position is contextual and fluid - that there is no linear progression in gender TV TS CD Goth Fetishist

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The sexuality matrix Most TV/CDs are heterosexual Some are bisexual Some are gay Some consider themselves lesbian when 'en femme' TSs can be of any sexuality (and possibly fluid over time) Heterosexual Bisexual Lesbian Gay

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Gender Recognition Act Became law in July 2004 Britain now has the most progressive legislation of its kind in the world Definition of 'man' or 'woman' no longer dependant on genitalia Marital/Human Rights issues The Civil Partnership Act

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The Law Most police forces now have an officer dedicated to LBGT issues The police forces have a code of practice to deal with Trans people should the need arise It is NOT against the law to dress as a woman It is NOT against the law to for a TV/CD or pre-operative trans woman to enter a ladies public toilet - but…….. any complaint against the T* person might be based on 'importuning' or 'causing an affray' due to public complaint its safer to use the ladies than to enter the gents while cross dressed !!

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Public Reaction Most people ignore us, but the rule for Trans people is don't look back - and certainly don’t argue! Some people, women especially, are curious Some people make fun of us - call us names, deliberately expose and embarrass us. Some people abuse us and assault us - through 'religious intolerance', 'homophobic disgust' or aggression related to drunkenness.

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Religion There are certain fringe Christian groups out to 'save' Trans people just as there are groups to 'save' homosexuals. The Metropolitan Community Church actively supports Trans people (see contact list) There is strong opposition to homosexuality in Islamic cultures, as the Qua'ran is specifically homophobic and religion is treated with greater importance. However, many Islamic cultures accept transsexxual people providing that transition is from one clear gender to the other.

Some Hints : 

Some Hints Transgendered people are customers and tax payers. Many are intelligent, highly motivated and courageous individuals who have faced terrible obstacles and huge costs just to ‘be’ who they feel they are, without harming anyone. Some are idiots - just like real people! They may be someone’s parent or partner - and are definitely someone’s child. Generally if someone is dressed and presenting themselves as a woman, they wish to be treated as a woman (or as a man in the reverse case)! If in doubt ask how a person wishes to be addressed

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Empathy Workshop 1 Decisions faced by a TV/CD Do they come out to their partner / girlfriend ? - issues ? Do they come out to their immediate family ? - issues ? Do they come out to wider family / community ? - Issues ? Do they come out at work ? - Issues ?

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Empathy Workshop 2 Decisions faced by a TS - pre and post op How do they identify as Transsexual ? - issues ? How do they come out to their immediate family ? - issues ? Ho do they come out to wider family / community ? - Issues ? How do they come out at work ? - Issues ? How do they deal with not being accepted in the gender they feel they are?

Summary: 

Summary Transgenderism is generally not sexual in itself - it is about gender identity, presentation and role. It is not a lifestyle choice to be gender dysphoric but the condition does entail lifestyle choices. How a person looks is not always how they feel. Transsexuality is very rare - Crossdressing isn’t. Both fall within the broad spectrum of ‘transgendered’ TGs are generally law abiding citizens and are acting within the law in expressing gender non-conformity. Surgery to alter genitalia is not required for legal recognition of gender change. The costs of gender transgression/transition are high. For many of us perceived gender transgression is a joy We are human beings!

Contacts: 

Contacts Ruth Chambers email: ruthchambers2003@yahoo.co.uk web: www.liverbird.tv tel: 07800 573497 (1 pm to 9 pm) Jessica Cole email: jessicacole@btinternet.com Beaumont Society 27 Old Gloucester Street, London WC1N 3XX web: www.beaumontsociety.org.uk tel: 01582 412220 (24 hr info line) Press For Change web: www.pfc.org.uk

Contacts: 

Contacts Gender Trust (Transsexuals only) PO Box 3192, Brighton BN1 3WR email: info@gendertrust.org.uk web: www.gendertrust.org.uk tel: 01273 234024 (Mon - Fri 9 am - 5 pm) Northern Concord PO Box 258, Manchester M60 1LN email: JennyB@northernconcord.org.uk web: www.northernconcord.org.uk The Metropolitan Community Church PO Box 19 Manchester M34 3XF email: revandy@mmcmanchester.co.uk web: www.mccmanchester.co.uk/trans.htm