Transsexuals: Candid Answers to Private Questions

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Synopsis
WATCH FOR SUBMITTER'S REVIEW TO BE ADDED SHORTLY Dr. Ramsey is a member of the Henry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association, Inc. HBIGDA's well-known "Standards of Care" are listed as an Appendix. Note that these were the 1990 revisions and further revisions may have occurred. Ramsey clarifies many misunderstandings or questions via his lay-person's language to answer difficult questions. He himself states he supports even more restrictive timelines for treatment requirements than the HBIGDA's Standards. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychological Disorders, IV (DSM-IV) section on Gender Identity Disorder is also included as an Appendix. Validator did not validate Appendices D & E or the bibliography. I think it's comprehensible, but if you need it improved, contact Cindy, popularplace@yahoo.com
Copyright:
1996

Book Details

Book Quality:
Excellent
Book Size:
173 Pages
ISBN-13:
9780895947901
Publisher:
N/A
Date of Addition:
Copyrighted By:
Gerald Ramsey
Adult content:
No
Language:
English
Has Image Descriptions:
No
Categories:
Nonfiction, Disability-Related, Self-Help, Health, Mind and Body, Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender, Social Studies
Submitted By:
Liz Halperin
Proofread By:
Grandma Cindy
Usage Restrictions:
This is a copyrighted book.

Reviews

3 out of 5

By on

This book seems as it should be the likely starting place to learn about transsexuality. While many of the specifics are still true, the transsexual community does not agree with the HBIGDA Standards of Care. These standards were initially developed based on research and grant funding, and a "gatekeper" model, based on how many openings they had. Transsexuals, who do have to go through a Gender Identity Clinic of some sort for medical treatment, and all follow HBIGDA to some level, disagree with the length of time to live as the target gender, as they cannot get hormones until after that. That puts them at risk of hate crimes and other safety issues--sending some TS people to find black market hormones, etc. There are other books which specificaly address many of these historical and political issues, most notably "Whipping Girl: A Transsexual Woman on Sexism and the Scapegoating of Femininity," available on Bookshare. The real value of this book is the two Appendices: The DSM-IV requirements for the diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria (mental health requirement) and the HBIGDA Standards of Care. Additionaly, this author, strongly beleieves the Standards should be tightened even more, requiring much more time to go through the steps of transition. Much of the book seems to "make sense" to someone learning about transsexuality, but further reading of other books by transsexuals themselves will show the problems herein. Read this so you know why others are complaining, but don't stop here, only use it as a reference point.