Index Forward Gender Identity disorder and Mental Health 10 top tips for health and social care workers The Narrative Full Glossary of Trans Terminology
We would like to thank the following for there support
Foreword As part of educating the public we have developed an Idea called the Narrative. This project was first conceived back in October 2012 and came about when a photographer got in touch with me. I wanted to produce a work that showed Trans people in a positive way. You may not know this but Tran’s people are more than people who have Gender Dysphoria, they also have to function in a society that is sometimes hostile to them. I hope these portraits will show another side of Tran’s people other then what you read in the press. The on-going project is called The Narrative and is based on portraits with a theme. We hope these themes will show a diverse range of interests and topics. The Narrative is a collaboration of Ideas from Transgender people to show diversity within a community. All the participants come from the Derbyshire area. It is important that Trans people have access to services such as those within the NHS without prejudice or discrimination, which sadly is not always the case. However we hope that better understanding and awareness will help to break down such barriers. We hope you enjoy our ‘Narratives’ and look forward to any feedback.
Transcend is committed to developing and providing services and activities which enhance the ability of people with gender issues to make informed choices. It is also committed to educating the public and providers about the needs of people with gender issues. We offer a wide range of services to people with gender issues, their partners, families and friends within Derbyshire. These include oneto one’s, Buddying and Advocacy support. We specifically aim to provide a high quality service which acknowledges human rights and ensures respect and confidentiality. Since or launch in 2006 we have continued to develop and have the opportunity to feed into multiple organisations and agencies about Trans issues.
Claire
Introduction Gender Identity disorder and Mental Health Self-acceptance and coming to terms with your feelings are the first order of business in transition. If you are not emotionally grounded from the onset, the process becomes even more difficult. As things stand, Gender Identity Disorder is not considered a mental health disorder, but a medical condition. However, due to the huge emotional and physical challenges that a transgender person must go through, both pre- and post-transition and beyond, it is not uncommon for people to face mental health problems at some point in their lives. Many transsexual men and women face harassment and ridicule, sometimes from a young age, because of perceived inappropriate gender behaviour. To distance ourselves from this, we sometimes experience extreme self-loathing in the form of substance abuse, self-harm or even suicide. Other times, we may place ourselves in a “gender-hell” of our own making. For example, Trans men might feel the need to perform the duties expected of them by society, such as marriage, having children, or hyper-masculine activities and occupations. People with Gender Identity Disorder may also manifest coexisting Separation Anxiety Disorder or Generalised Anxiety Disorder, as well as symptoms of depression. Associated Personality Disorders are more common among males being evaluated at adult gender clinics than females. As we comes to terms with how we feel and what needs to be done about it, our self-esteem can take a huge beating. “Why did I wait so long?” “How will I deal with getting out of my male/female existence?” “Is this really going to make me happier?” These aren’t easy questions to answer.
The disturbance of transition can be so pervasive that the mental lives of some individuals revolve only around those activities that lessen gender distress. They are often preoccupied with appearance, especially early in the process of living in the opposite gender role. Relationships with one or both parents, as with current partners and friends, may also be seriously affected, and varying forms of discrimination are still very present in society. All of this can wreak havoc on your self-esteem. It’s hard to stand tall when you’re being beaten down by others. But the worst thing is that many of us end up criticising ourselves, which is why it’s vital to have self-acceptance to get through transition and beyond. There are many ways to build up your confidence – think about all the worthwhile things about you! Sometimes you may need the encouragement of a therapist, support group, job or just a good friend. You may find you can do it on your own. However you get there, make sure you maintain your self-esteem along the way. Ultimately, only you can feel good about you.
Transgender Symbols
10 top tips for health and social care workers on how to make your service inclusive and welcoming for Trans people. Treat Trans people as individuals and with respect – they are as unique and diverse as everyone else! Display information about Trans support groups – this gives a clear visual statement that your service/practice welcomes Trans people. Always use the name and title that the Trans person deems correct and make sure that medical notes/registers are clearly marked with the name and preferred title. Remember that being Trans is not a mental illness or psychological condition; though it may be a contributory factor for other psychiatric conditions e.g. depression. Include Trans people in screening programmes on the basis of organs present rather than their perceived gender. Some Trans men will need to be included in breast screening programmes and some Trans women in prostate screening for example.
The Transgender flags
Do not comment on a Trans persons general appearance or ‘pass ability’ unless they ask for your opinion. Trans people can be heterosexual, lesbian, gay, bisexual or asexual – don’t make assumptions about their sexual orientation or sexuality. Don’t use terms like “disorder” (e.g. “gender disorder”) or “choice.” People who are transitioning are bringing their biological sex in line with their gender. It is not a choice; they are not changing to the gender they want to be, but to the gender they are. Get informed. Invite Trans people in to talk with your staff team about their experiences and how your services could be more inclusive of and welcoming to Trans people. Receiving a smile and a ‘hello’ on arrival makes everyone feel welcome – this will make Trans people feel much more comfortable too. Produced by the Centre for HIV & Sexual Health
Notes
Jasmine
What is my Narrative? A Turkish born male Who Fled to Europe To become me, Jasmine Emily Who spent seven years as a refugee in Italy? Whilst there, I had the op, exchange my degree In chemistry. Seven years of being alone, and Kismet came to call A women, so Tall To give me hope and a place to call my home Now in England and resident to stay To visit my family In Istanbul, one day
Dani I’m so happy that I finally came to terms with who I should be, all my life I’ve felt sad even when good things were happening to me, I never felt as if I belonged anywhere and I was cursed by the urge to hide away from everything and everyone. But since my transition I feel on the right track to being the person I want to be. In the year that I’ve been transitioning for I have accomplished more than I could have ever thought possible like excelling at university as well as becoming involved in politics and campaign movements. I feel as if my life before was a lonely and hopeless winter and now I’ve moved through spring and a bright and glorious summer is in front of me.
Julie My interests in graphic novels, films, sciencefiction, computers etc. in the past gave me a way of escaping the difficulty in dealing wit being different, I didn’t have the words to describe how I felt, I never felt that anyone would understand, I felt that I was wrong or broken in some way, I never felt that I fitted in, I was alone. Now days they still provide that escapism but it’s to relax they are a hobby for me. Having learned why I was the way I am and that there are others like me out there in the world that I was not alone, I have learned to accept who I am I don’t try avoid being different, as it is who I am. It took a long time to get here and there is still a lot further to go. We all have our journey.
Alexus
Hello, I believe you want to know a little bit about me, my story or narrative so to speak. So....Male, Female, Tranny, Son, Brother, Friend, Sister, Daughter, Transvestite, Cross Dresser, Husband, Lover, Fetishist, Transgender, Divorced, Gay, Straight, Asexual, Transsexual. Trans & Proud. I have been all these things and more. But Dear Reader, the most important thing is this. My name is Alexus Savage and I am very, very pleased to meet you. I was not always Alexus of course but my previous incarnation seems but a pale shadow of a life when compared to the person I am now. I suppose because I am getting to be the real me. People say it is a journey. For me, I have moved from being a transvestite in kinky boots who dressed occasionally to someone who now lives full time in the real world, as the real me. I think the picture symbolically captures this transition. Mind you, I may just keep hold of the boots and gloves. For old times’ sake, you understand'.
Beth In my long life my memories are very dear to me. Strange to say my memories of childhood are very vague as I have nothing tangible from those days. I capture my memories through music, books, objet d'art, items of whimsy and in the past 10 years through photographs. In the portrait all the images have a story to tell and those with the strongest memories are those when I Transitioned, my friends and family who have stuck by me in my darkest times and those who I meet in my daily life. In some ways I have to start my life from scratch and to let go of some of my past and memories because of the dark place they placed me in. My memories are a part of me and who I am, a Trans women finding her way in life.
Tara I have chosen the theme of ‘Goddess’, due to my interest in paganism and my practice as a Wiccan. I wasn’t sure which goddess I should portray, but as I have changed my name to Tara I felt that she was the obvious choice. I found out many things about her, such as the many different forms she has taken around the world. She is known as a female Buddha in Tibet, as her different personalities are displayed in different colours, as they are in Hinduism. The best known are Green Tara and White Tara. The peaceful, compassionate White Tara gently protects and brings long life and peace. The more dynamic goddess, Green Tara, is the “Mother Earth”, and a fierce goddess who overcomes obstacles, and saves us from physical and spiritual damage.
Georgina I think I’ve always been interested in music in one way or another, right back to when I was a young child where I learned all the lyrics to my sisters Elvis records. This quickly progressed into playing tunes on the school piano and the glockenspiel. I never lost interest in playing music and have been fortunate enough to have played in quite a few bands over the last 20 or so years. Nowadays I mostly play the button accordion and guitar. I was very lucky as a child to having had the opportunity to travel to some very interesting places, such as France, Sarawak (Borneo), Australia and picked up a lot of new songs and tunes as I went. I spent 10 ½ years in the RAF, and during this time travelled to Germany and Northern Ireland and whilst I was in the province, became involved with the Irish Folk scene and this has carried over till the present, hence the button accordion in the photo.
Jim The Goth scene is more than music, more than a dark aesthetic and shared interest. We take pride in our eccentricity and our differences, which brings us closer as a community In this way, being Goth is a lot like being Trans. There are those who would mock us for how we look, but we know that our strangeness makes us strong. These aspects of our characters which diverge from what is considered normal are those which we should cherish most of all. Otherwise, we risk losing ourselves in the crowd.
Jayne As a result of a failed relationship In Nov 2008 at the tender age of 50 I found myself living alone. Surprisingly I’d never been in this situation before. It was time to make a choice, live on takeaways and ready meals or learn to cook. And so it began. After a bit of research I found the idiots guide to cooking, “How to Boil an Egg”, and started cooking simple meals. In 2010 I met the beautiful Steph who taught me, for the first time in my life, that it was ok to be me. I now had someone
special to cook for. I began to
cook more elaborate meals and discovered a passion for it. I even started baking and now make birthday cakes for all my grandchildren. When Steph and I married last year I made our wedding cake.
Mellisa I joined a Viking group five years ago not realising just how much it would change my life and how quickly I would come to view the group as my kindred, my extended family and close friends. Like any family there is fighting, only it’s generally in front of a crowd with axes, swords and spears. Crowds whoop and cheer as my kindred fight and “die”, at least for a few minutes. Through the highs and lows there is the kindred, always present with a drink and tales of daring exploits from years past, laughing, smiling and singing until the early hours. Yet when I started my transition I was unsure of how the kindred would react. It was with love and support. And a new Viking name.
Full Glossary of Trans Terminology This list is not necessarily definitive and it is accepted that others may define these terms differently.
Gender Gender is expressed in terms of masculinity and femininity. It is largely culturally determined and is assigned at birth based on the sex of the individual. It affects how people perceive themselves and how they expect others to behave.
Gender Dysphoria An anxiety, uncertainty or persistently uncomfortable feelings experienced by an individual about their assigned gender which is in conflict with their internal gender identity.
Gender queer (individual) A gender queer person can believe they have a gender identity which is male and female, or neither male or female or lies outside of the normal gender binary. Some would see themselves as being a 'third sex', while others believe they are genderless or agender. As a group they are united by their rejection of the idea that there are just two genders.
Intersex Person An individual who is born with ambiguous genitalia and may or may not be accompanied by various degrees of Gender Dysphoria. The condition may arise due to certain congenital disorders or hormone imbalances in the foetus or placenta. True hermaphrodites (having both types of gonads and ambiguous genitalia) are extremely rare.
Transition The medical, surgical, social, psychological, emotional and economic processes that a Trans person undergoes to move from their assigned gender role into their chosen or acquired gender. The time this takes is variable, and depends on the individual's ability to embrace significant change in their life. If requiring genital surgery, the individual will have to undergo a so called Real Life Test, i.e. living in their acquired gender role for a minimum of 1 year.
Transsexual Person A person who feels a consistent and overwhelming desire to transition and fulfil their life as a member of the opposite gender. Most transsexual people actively desire a complete gender reassignment surgery. The ratio of Female to Male (FTM) and Male to Female (MTF) transsexual people is in the region of 1:3.
Transgender (collective) An umbrella term used to include transsexual people, transvestites and cross-dressers, as in "the transgender community".
Trans man/woman A term that is used by some trans people (transsexual and transgender people) who are open about their status and do not fear the consequences of their pasts being revealed or who believe that transition does not mean they become men or women. A generic term that the Trans community wishes to see used in documents, policies, statutory instruments etc.
Transphobia A strongly felt fear of or prejudice toward transgender people based on their expression of a gender identity which is not seen as authentic by the transphobic individual. Transphobia can lead to discrimination, hatred and violence. It is distinct from homophobia which has as its focus the sexuality or presumed sexuality of the victimised person.
One of the many comments received from Derby Royal Hospital;
“This is such an important part of the work in raising awareness. It is vital that the profile of Trans People is raised so as to break down barriers and build a safer society for us all. “
For further information about the Narrative please phone on 01332 207704 or contact Beth Seymour on BethS@gayderbyshire.org.uk www.transcend.org.uk www.facebook.com/pages/ Transcend/381360138583539 QR Code for the Narrative booklet
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