09/08/08

First is the BIOLOGICAL SEX continuum.  On one end of the continuum is male and the other end female.  In the middle is Intersex (formerly called Hermaphrodite).  Intersex is a term to describe those who, at birth, have genitalia or chromosomes or an internal reproductive system that are not to the male or female “standard”.  In the web site of the Intersex Society of North America this condition is estimated to occur “one in 100 births”.  If your anatomy, chromosomes and hormones are unquestionably male or female, place yourself at the respective ends of this continuum.  If they are at all ambiguous, then place yourself between these two extremes where you think you should be.

Second is the GENDER IDENTITY continuum.  On one end of the continuum is man and the other end women.  In the middle is “Third Sex” or “Gender Queer”.  If you totally think of yourself as a man or woman, place yourself at the respective ends of the continuum.  If you think there are aspects of yourself that identify with the opposite gender then put yourself on the continuum accordingly.  “Third Sex” is a term used for those who don’t identify strictly as a man or woman. Many youth of today who fit into this category prefer the term “Gender Queer”.

The difference of Biological Sex and Gender Identity is crudely stated that SEX is about what is between your legs and GENDER is about what is between your ears.  People are assigned a biological sex, but define their own gender

Third is the GENDER EXPRESSION continuum.  On one end of the continuum is masculine and the other end feminine.  In the middle is androgynous.  Gender expression is communicated through such things as clothes & accessories, cosmetics, hairstyles, conversational styles, grooming, body language, interests and speech.  Where would you place yourself on this continuum?

And last is the SEXUAL ORIENTATION continuum.  On one end of the continuum is attraction to women and the other end, attraction to men.  In the middle is bisexual (attracted to both) or asexual (attracted to neither) or even an attraction to Transgender.  Where would you place yourself on this continuum?

Now stack the four continuums one above the other and draw a line which connects where you rated yourself on each.  If you came up with a relatively straight, vertical line down the ends of the continuum, you are what today’s society calls “normal” (Male, Man, Masculine, Attracted to Women or Female,  Woman, Feminine, Attracted to Men).

When the line crosses from a biological sex of male to a gender identity of a woman, or the line crosses from a biological sex of female to a gender identity of a man, that is what defines TRANSGENDER.  Transgender – Is an umbrella term used to describe anyone who transgresses the typical bi-polar identification of man or women. 

Also note that the Sexual Preference continuum is totally separate from the others.  A Trans person can be Hetero, Bi, Gay or Asexual like anyone else.  I transitioned from identifying as a Heterosexual Man to identifying  as a Lesbian Woman.

Some people who are Intersex consider themselves Transgender and others do not.  This is because their often mixed biological characteristics, is not necessarily the opposite of their gender identity.

The two most prominent categories of Transgender people are Crossdressers and Transsexuals.

Crossdressers are people who dress in the clothing, partially or completely of the societal norm for the “opposite” gender.  Formerly the term Transvestite was used but is generally disliked for its derogatory connotations.  Crossdressers who comprise the largest single group of transgender people are mostly Heterosexual males but individuals who crossdress to perform, who are often gay, are known as Drag Queens or Drag Kings.  Crossdressers typically have little desire to transition from their biological sex.

Transsexuals actually comprise a minority within the transgender community but are probably the most well known due to the incredible fantasy that transitioning evokes.  Trans-woman or MtF transsexuals transition from Male to Female; Trans-men or FtM transsexuals transition from Female to Male.  Basically transsexuals are unhappy with their bodies and gender norms associated with their biological sex.