What is a Transsexual???

[LeaP]

Kelly, I hardly think the UK Equality Commission’s commentary is irrelevant! First off, the commission’s site distinguishes the regulatory language from more up-to-date as well as casual usage. Second, it’s one illustration of my points on context and risk (others defining us). The UK is a good beginning point because the national structure is relatively complete, tying together aspects of identity and legality including social treatment, documents and naming, NHS policy, etc. Very unlike the scattershot approaches in the US. I don’t give the example as any kind of affirmation of my views - there are several elements with which I disagree. In any event, the WPATH cite you used actually aligns with the UK Commission’s view. I don’t understand your objection.

I expressed my opinion earlier, not my view of a consensus. There IS no consensus on the term in the US. I could argue some aspects of continuity in the term through (again) the DSM history and commentary as well as the history of the gender clinics and, to a lesser extent, clinical practice. But that, too, was one of my points, that the meaning depends on context, even in “official” contexts. Or, if you like, that the same descriptors, symptoms, factors, and other such criteria can apply to different mutually-exclusive terms, which is much the same thing. A terrific example of this was the uproar over Gender Dysphoria vs Fetishistic Transvestism in the DSM 5. The Gender Dysphoria diagnosis, of course, IS the latest version of what WAS transsexualism in earlier editions. The new Fetishistic Transvestism diagnosis which uses many of the same criteria, thanks to the Paraphilias subcommittee chair (Ray Blanchard) now stigmatizes any crossdresser who happens to fit. Strictly speaking, neither of these are definitions. But even if they were, would it matter outside of a psych context - one, moreover, that uses the DSM? Nope.

You appear to be arguing that there are consensus definitions. If so, I wish you would clearly state what you think they are (or at least for “transsexual”). I actually think there is something like a prevalent cultural view, but not a consensus on terminology that is common among the medical, psychological, legal, scientific, sociological, and religious spheres. Nor do I think discussions like this will drive to a common, agreed set of definitions. Personally I’m fine with contextual meaning.