Harry Benjamin's Syndrome -vs- TSism

[tori-e]

http://sindromebenjamin.tripod.com/id19.html

Another thread was discussing the stigma of the word transsexual. People can think what they like but that's what I am.

I thought this website was interesting. Maybe others can interpret for me. I read HBS as a way to remove 'sex' from TSism.

Would you get a different response from someone if you said you had Harry Benjamin's Syndrome instead of saying you were a Transsexual?

lots of love,
Victoria

[Calliope]

We now know that the brain is the only part of the body that defines one’s sex, therefore one's true sex is determined by the structure of the brain, and not by the genitalia. [...] [T]he medical insurance would be obligated to pay for all medical expenses for the sex reassignment as it happens with other cases of intersexuality. [...] People with Harry Benjamin's Syndrome that are under HRT or getting GRS are people that are affirming their sex, not transitioning from one sex to another.

Very interesting read. 'Syndrome' is a terrible word, right out of a 70s Woody Allen punchline, but the argument points most hopefully. I would like to see how the above postulations fit in with continuum theories about hormones.

[Kimberley]

More semantics. Doesnt really matter what the label, the "condition" is the same description. I am just a little leary of this "cure" label. SRS will align the gender and sex for sure but I am not so sure that is all of it. If it were, there would never be a dissatisfied customer.

I wont be going that route of surgery or hormones (a painfully personal decision) so I will never know first hand. Regardless. we are all different and have different perspectives on our own lives. What works well for one person may not be the same for another.

Dont get me wrong here. I am not against SRS. I just believe there are options that all too often our group ignores or rather more realistically, look down upon.

Surgery is only the icing on the cake. Living your true gender is the goal. Getting there is the struggle.

Surviving this at all is slightly less than a miracle.

:hugs: to all
Kimberley

[SherriePall]

If you pardon a post from a crossdresser (I think). The supposed stigma of the word transsexual is probably the reason why the word gender has been used, example: (GRS) instead of sexual (SRS) by some groups and people.

[Kimberley]

Good point Sherrie. I certainly never thought of it that way.

Kimberley

[Calliope]

Dont get me wrong here. I am not against SRS. I just believe there are options that all too often our group ignores or rather more realistically, look down upon.

Surgery is only the icing on the cake. Living your true gender is the goal. Getting there is the struggle.


As usual, Kimberley gets to the heart of the issue.

There are 'haves' and 'have nots' in this issue. Bringing the insurance claims into 'gender indentitification' is a great hope for many, without a doubt. That said, it could be a mistake for any TG to consider SRS (etc.) a 'validation' of any sort, living as a woman when economics and biology resist is so much more a 'validation.'

Maybe it's just the Marxist in me, but I believe the struggle is worth cherishing.

[FOCD]

Call Harry Potter and ask if he can make a magic potion or wave his magic wand to make us all the way we want to be . That makes as much sense as reading all the hyperbole of sociological and psychological studies (and opinions of those "educated" so called experts) of androgeny or TSism.
Be who you are, join your own army.
March to the beat of the drummer that you hear within.
Dance to the music that suits you.
Dress the way you want to express yourself, although it may be in private, with or without a wife or SO, in the closet.
Be happy that you have a life and that you have the choice to do with it as YOU see fit.
I dont want to go off ona rant here, but thats my opinion. ( many thanks to Dennis Miller for the last line)

[~Dee~]

Would you get a different response from someone if you said you had Harry Benjamin's Syndrome instead of saying you were a Transsexual?


there can be a lot said about first impressions.

the term transsexual does seem to offer up a lot of images in peoples minds, most of which arent going to help you be seen as just an ordinary person.

ive kind of tried it myself when i came out to people .. when i spoke about gender identity disorder, people were more intrigued and after the fact when i said 'transsexual' it wasnt really a problem.
those people who just heard 'transsexual' were more shocked and kind of pulled away a little .. kept on their guard more.

we are probably all guilty of judging a book by its cover .. but sometimes its not just the outward appearance that will give these impressions.

personally, as fun as it was to mess with my friends minds ... as far as i can see it im TS and so unless they want to know the diagnostic term, its a good enough term for me to use if i must.

if that makes sense.
:happy:

[CaptLex]

Deeeeeeee!!!!!! Where you been?! Missed you! :hugs:

My :2c: . . . I don't want to go around telling people I have Harry Benjamin Syndrome or even GID, I'm just TS. If they want to know more and understand what that is, I'll be happy to explain. If they want to jump to their own conclusions . . . they can jump away. Something tells me sooner or later people will have a problem with the newer terms too and argue about calling it yet something else, which will just confuse people more. :p