Transgender Equality Network Ireland (TENI) is a voluntary organization set up to support Transgendered and Transsexual people throughout Ireland. Our aim is to represent the needs and best interests of all those with gender identity issues in Ireland.TENI is dedicated to promoting positive awareness about transgender issues and to improving conditions and advancing equality for all Transsexual and Transgender people in Ireland.On our own and liaising with a variety of community organisations, we work toward this goal by overseeing support meetings,offering education and sensitivity training,and organising social events,workshops,courses,and much more. New members are always welcome and we encourage Transgender people, Transsexuals, friends, partners, family and anyone with a real commitment to Irish Trans issues to join TENI.
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Parents and family members of those who are gay,lesbian,bisexual or transgender often have initial difficulties coming to terms with their son’s or daughter’s sexuality.We offer telephone based and person-to-person support to these parents.This service is provided by parents of gay and lesbian children who have been through similar experiences.Parents Support aims to ‘walk alongside’ parents as they come to terms with their child’s sexuality.Parents Support provides a unique insight into the experiences and emotions of parents coming to terms with their child’s sexuality.To contact Parents Support or if you are a parent interested in volunteering,please phone us on 01-8721055. The Helpline service is available Monday to Thursday from 7:30 pm to 9:30 pm.
“QYN exists as an autonomous,youth-focused movement that aims to provide a progressive,innovative,infrastructure at grass-roots level to improve the general well-being for all young people who identify as Lesbian,Gay,Bisexual, Transgendered,Transsexual,Intersex,Questioning,Curious,Asexual,Pansexual or ‘Queer’ and/or who are socially marginalized as a result of their identity as well as those who advocate on their behalf.’Local Reps’ lead 9 regional QYN Groups throughout the UK. The organisation is also responsible for the formation of a national voice for LGBT young people in Wales:LGBT Youth Wales.In Scotland it works closely with LGBT Youth Scotland,and GLYNI (Gay and Lesbian Youth Northern Ireland) who are affiliated member groups of which there are now over 200.
A person with a gender identity disorder is a person who strongly identifies with the other sex. The individual may identify with the opposite sex to the point of believing that he/she is, in fact, a member of the other sex who is trapped in the wrong body. This causes that person to experience serious discomfort with his/her own biological sex orientation. The gender identity disorder causes problems for this person in school, work or social settings. This disorder is different from transvestism or transvestic fetishism where cross-dressing occurs for sexual pleasure, but the transvestite does not identify with the other sex.
What characteristics occur with gender identity disorder?
Boys with gender identity disorder tend to prefer to dress in girls’ clothes. They often avoid competitive sports and have little interest in rough and tumble games. They frequently prefer to play games with girls, and they enjoy girls as playmates. They usually enjoy acting as a female figure, such as a mother or a princess, in the games they play. Boys with gender identity problems pretend not to have a penis; they want it removed, and they wish they had a vagina.
Girls with gender identity disorder prefer to wear boys’ clothes and want to look like a boy. They prefer boys as playmates and often enjoy competitive contact and rough play. Girls with gender identity disorder wish they could grow a penis, and do not look forward to growing breasts or menstruating. They would like to be a man when they grow up.
Adults with gender identity disorder sometimes live their lives as members of the opposite sex. They tend to be uncomfortable living in the world as a member of their own biologic or genetic sex. They often cross-dress and prefer to be seen in public as a member of the other sex. Some people with the disorder request sex-change surgery.
Does gender identity disorder affect males, females, or both?
Gender identity disorder is more prevalent in males than in females.
At what age does gender identity disorder appear?
This disorder can be evident in early childhood. Most people know whether they have a gender identity problem by the time they reach adolescence.
How is gender identity disorder diagnosed?
A mental health professional makes a diagnosis of gender identity disorder by taking a careful personal history from the client/patient. No laboratory tests are required to make a diagnosis of gender identity disorder. However, it is very important not to overlook a physical illness that might mimic or contribute to a psychological disorder. If there is any question that the individual might have a physical problem, the mental health professional should recommend a complete physical examination by a medical doctor. Laboratory tests might be necessary as a part of the physical workup.
Frequently, people with gender identity disorder complain that they were “born the wrong sex.” They describe their sexual organs as “ugly” and may refrain from touching their genitalia. Although the genitalia of people with gender identity disorder is normal, those with the disorder may show signs of trying to hide their secondary sex characteristics. For instance, males may try to shave off or pluck their body hair, or they may take female hormones in an effort to enlarge their breasts. Females may try to hide their breasts by binding them close to their chest walls.
How is gender identity disorder treated?
Psychological therapy can alter the course of gender identity disorder. Early intervention can lead to less transsexual behavior later in life. The initial focus of the treatment is to help the individual function in his/her biologic sex role as well as possible.
Adults who have severe gender identity disorder which has persisted for many years sometimes request reassignment of their sex, or sex-change surgery. Prior to this kind of surgery they usually go through a long period of hormone therapy which attempts to suppress same sex characteristics and accentuate other sex characteristics. For instance, males that have gender identity disorder will be given the female hormone, estrogen. The estrogen causes the male breasts to enlarge, testes to become smaller, and body hair to diminish. Females with gender identity disorder will be given the male hormone, testosterone, to help them develop a lower voice and possibly a full beard. Following the hormone treatment, the adult will be asked to live in a cross-gender role before surgery to alter their genitalia or breasts is performed.
What happens to someone with gender identity disorder?
If the disorder persists into adolescence, it tends to be chronic in nature. There may, however, be periods of remission.
What can people do if they need help?
If you, a friend, or a family member would like more information and you have a therapist or a physician, please discuss your concerns with that person.
Definition
The psychological diagnosis gender identity disorder (GID) is used to describe a male or female that feels a strong identification with the opposite sex and experiences considerable distress because of their actual sex.
Description
Gender identity disorder can affect children, adolescents, and adults. Individuals with gender identity disorder have strong cross-gender identification. They believe that they are, or should be, the opposite sex. They are uncomfortable with their sexual role and organs and may express a desire to alter their bodies. While not all persons with GID are labeled as transsexuals, there are those who are determined to undergo sex change procedures or have done so, and, therefore, are classified as transsexual. They often attempt to pass socially as the opposite sex. Transsexuals alter their physical appearance cosmetically and hormonally, and may eventually undergo a sex-change operation.
Children with gender identity disorder refuse to dress and act in sex-stereotypical ways. It is important to remember that many emotionally healthy children experience fantasies about being a member of the opposite sex. The distinction between these children and gender identity disordered children is that the latter experience significant interference in functioning because of their cross-gender identification. They may become severely depressed, anxious, or socially withdrawn.
Causes and symptoms
The cause of gender identity disorder is not known. It has been theorized that a prenatal hormonal imbalance may predispose individuals to the disorder. Problems in the individual’s family interactions or family dynamics have also been postulated as having some causal impact.
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV), the diagnostic reference standard for United States mental health professionals, describes the criteria for gender identity disorder as an individual’s strong and lasting cross-gender identification and their persistent discomfort with their biological gender role. This discomfort must cause a significant amount of distress or impairment in the functioning of the individual.
DSM-IV specifies that children must display at least four of the following symptoms of cross-gender identification for a diagnosis of gender identity disorder:
a repeatedly stated desire to be, or insistence that he or she is, the opposite sex
a preference for cross-dressing
a strong and lasting preference to play make-believe and role-playing games as a member of the opposite sex or persistent fantasies that he or she is the opposite sex
a strong desire to participate in the stereotypical games of the opposite sex
a strong preference for friends and playmates of the opposite sex
Diagnosis
Gender identity disorder is typically diagnosed by a psychiatrist or psychologist, who conducts an interview with the patient and takes a detailed social history. Family members may also be interviewed during the assessment process. This evaluation usually takes place in an outpatient setting.
Treatment
Treatment for children with gender identity disorder focuses on treating secondary problems such as depression and anxiety, and improving self-esteem. Treatment may also work on instilling positive identifications with the child’s biological gender. Children typically undergo psychosocial therapy sessions; their parents may also be referred for family or individual therapy.
Transsexual adults often request hormone and surgical treatments to suppress their biological sex characteristics and acquire those of the opposite sex. A team of health professionals, including the treating psychologist or psychiatrist, medical doctors, and several surgical specialists, oversee this transitioning process. Because of the irreversible nature of the surgery, candidates for sex-change surgery are evaluated extensively and are often required to spend a period of time integrating themselves into the cross-gender role before the procedure begins. Counselling and peer support are also invaluable to transsexual individuals.
Prognosis
Long-term follow up studies have shown positive results for many transsexuals who have undergone sex-change surgery. However, significant social, personal, and occupational issues may result from surgical sex changes, and the patient may require psychotherapy or counselling.
Key Terms
Cross-dressing
Dressing in clothing that is stereotypical of the opposite sex.
Gender identity disorder (GID)
A strong and lasting cross-gender identification and persistent discomfort with one’s biological gender (sex) role. This discomfort must cause a significant amount of distress or impairment in the functioning of the individual.
Transsexual
A person with gender identity disorder who has an overwhelming desire to change anatomic sex; one who seeks hormonal or surgical treatment to change sex
