Gender Dysphoria, Questions and Answers

[Dr. Who]

Biology matters. Who knew?

Yet as a child, I had little use for dolls (I'm a girl). I liked boy toys and stuffed animals best. I played with boys almost exclusively until I was about eleven and then I started gravitating to more mixed company and became more interested in looking like a girl. However, since my parents never made a big deal about the fact that I was a tomboy, I never thought of myself as a boy. I was just me. Nevertheless, while I am not even remotely gay or transgendered, I still prefer the company of males. Had I been raised in today's society, the fact that I liked boy activities, didn't like dresses and didn't much care for female companionship might have had my parents heading to the doctor.

I don't think that preferences for toys, dress or choice of friends define a child's gender identity. I think what makes a child comfortable in play is simply a reflection of their interests at the time. If there is gender dysphoria, it is far more likely that a child of 11 or 12 can express who they believe themselves to be than a 3 or 4-year-old. Even then, I don't think that any surgery should ever be contemplated until the age of 21. I knew a 'girl' who was a pre-op 18-year-old male who no one would have believed was a boy. He had no male characteristics that anyone could see. He was very pretty and very tiny. He had the surgery to make him a woman at the age of 19. By the time he was 20, he regretted doing so. He had started to lose his identification as a female.

[Mister D]

(I'm a girl).

Yes, you are a girl and no amount of mutilation will change that fact.

[AeonPax]

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I read about 3 minutes into your link then skimmed through the rest. This is too heavy for 9 PM. I bookmarked it and will read fully later. I will say this, as a bisexual, I am concerned that those pushing an invasive medical procedure are misdiagnosing budding bisexuality for a subconscious yearning to be the opposite gender.

[Standing Wolf]

I will say this, as a bisexual, I am concerned that those pushing an invasive medical procedure are misdiagnosing budding bisexuality for a subconscious yearning to be the opposite gender.

Good point...the child might grow up to be bisexual, or, for that matter, gay or lesbian. From what I hear, there isn't any special surgery required for that.

I am also concerned that anyone would assume that because a small child's interests trend toward a particular gender stereotype, in terms of what toys members of one's sex are supposed to want to play with, that he or she will inevitably be attracted, romantically and/or sexually, to a particular type of person. A male child could enjoy playing with dolls and grow up to be as heterosexual as could be...or, like Dr. Who, be a total tomboy and grow up to be straight.