Kappa Beta Serving the transgendered community since 1988

Transgender is an umbrella term used to describe anyone who is gender different: someone born of one gender, but having either a casual affinity for clothing, and/or affectations of the opposite gender; or someone with an innate identification as the opposite gender. Transgenders can range from female impersonators, to crossdressers, to transsexuals - both male to female, and also female to male.

No. Many transgenders are crossdressers - people who identify as the gender of their birth, but who occasionally wear clothing or act as the opposite gender. Crossdressers are people who virtually never feel the need to actually become, or live as the opposite gender.

No. In fact, sexuality among transgenders is a microcosm of the entire sexual spectrum of society at large. The majority of crossdressers are, in fact, heterosexual; often married with children and grandchildren.

Some do, some do not. Sexual orientation can be very fluid among transgendered people. Some may change their orientation during or after transition, while others remain attracted to the same gender they were attracted to prior to transition.

Simply put, intersexuality is a set of medical conditions that feature congenital anomaly of the reproductive and sexual system. That is, intersexed people are born with "sex chromosomes," external genitalia, or internal reproductive system that are not considered "standard" for either male or female. For more information, visit the Intersexed Society of North America FAQ.

Very often the attending physician will push the parents to make an on-the-spot decision to allow them to alter the child's genitalia to more closely conform to either male or female (based on the doctor's opinion.) The parents will often go along with this arbitrary decision on the physician's part. The reasoning is based on the societal attitudes that isolate or exhibit passive or active bias towards anyone who is "different."

Sometimes; but most often, no. The children quite often will not identify with the gender the birth physician has chosen for them, and pursue a surgical reassignment to correct this. Virtually always, the intersex person is resentful that this decision was made without any consideration for their feelings or input. Also, the procedures performed often result in genital mutilation, causing physical and/or psychological discomfort and/or sexual dysfunction later in life.

Yes, many do. A majority of crossdressers have wives and often children. Though many transsexuals experience the break-up of families, there are numerous instances of wives who stayed with their former husbands, even after the surgery, and became legally married lesbians. Several FTM transsexuals marry and have children as well. The intersexed as well will often take spouses. It's remarkable testament to people who "love the person" instead of the image.

No. This is unsubstantiated and misinformed 'fact' that is used to falsely discredit transgenders. Human nature often views someone who is different or exotic as potentially a threat, and thus suspect. It is always based on lack of, or very limited exposure to actual individuals of that group.

No. There are an overwhelming number of publicly transgendered that are chased out of, or encouraged not to attend many congregations. While many of these individuals become embittered, and eschew further dealings with the church; a sizable number of them find other congregations that are more understanding in which to continue practicing their faith. A portion of transgenders practice their faith by reading scripture privately - away from more personally negative or derogatory influences. Some transgenders are also involved in the clergy [one example: Sister Mary Elizabeth Clark - a transsexual ordained as a Reverend Mother by the Catholic Church]. Because one is transgendered, or is born intersexed does not mean they are anti-Christian - it only means they are viewed as such by others who wish to believe that.

No. The only real transgenders on that show are the most sensational, over-the-top folks they can find. It draws the ratings. The show has also gone so far as to hire actors to play these 'transsexual' characters. The average transgender prefers to "blend in" and is, therefore, too mundane to appear on their show.

Employers are, as a rule, extremely averse to hiring and accommodating someone they don't understand. It's similar to what many racial minorities have experienced for years. If hiring of these individuals were commonplace, there would be no need. But far too many transgenders are not hired strictly because of their gender identity status, and employers currently have no incentive to hire them. Many companies are adding gender identity to their affirmative action statements, but few have demonstrated a real adherence to that policy.

Look around your workplace: how many among your co-workers are transgendered or intersexed? If there's 100 people in your place of work, there would be two or three transgendered and/or intersexed co-workers. True, they may be closeted. But if there were no hiring problems, why would they be in the closet?

Virtually any job that any non-transgendered human could do. It's been noted that transgenders tend to devote a large part of their lives in their careers. While an inordinant number of gender different folks tend to gravitate towards the computer programming and design field, many more are involved in banking, aircraft mechanics, law enforcement, the legal profession, teaching, the arts, marketing, graphic design, accounting, and - yes - even construction. A classical pianist in New York City, and a feted symphony violinist from San Diego are both known-transsexuals. A finalist for the 1999 Nobel Prize in Economics is also a transsexual. There are no professions known that do not have transgenders, although the military and political fields tend to drive that identification underground ("Don't ask; don't tell").

Only so long as they conduct their lives as others see fit. Even though they may commit no crime nor victimize anyone, if they are forthcoming about themselves, or are somehow discovered to be transgendered or intersexed; employers, landlords, and even health care workers are legally entitled to deny jobs, housing, and medical care in 48 states and in an overwhelming majority of municipalities around the nation. Further, many municipalities have laws on the books forbidding men from wearing women's clothes (rarely do they prohibit women from wearing men's clothes).

It depends on your perspective. From an employer's standpoint, there is less hassle. From the parents of intersexed or transgendered adults, there is much more concern about the safety and well-being of their children. From the perspective of those who are now denied employment, the impact on their lives is severe: loss of income, loss of home and possessions, break up of family, and depression that can, in extreme cases, lead to substance abuse or suicide.

From a taxpayer's perspective, consider this: if gender different people are not allowed to earn a legitimate income (and contribute to the tax base), what kind of income are they left to earn? Unemployment -- and when that runs out, welfare -- and when that runs out, illegitimate forms of income in order to survive -- which requires public monies to investigate, arrest, prosecute, and later house these lawbreaking individuals (all paid from the public tax fund). All of this would be done in an effort to avoid hassling an employer, or not to discomfort the occasional, sensitive co-worker. Is it better to work towards full employment for all citizens, or to limit employment to some, and have the rest live off of the government dole (in one fashion or another)?

© 1999 Vanessa Edwards-Foster

Reformatted and cleaned up 2006, Nancy Wichmann