This all comes with the caveat that not all trans people undergo surgeries or hormone treatments to change their bodies. Some trans people — perhaps those who aren't as privileged as Caitlyn Jenner — simply can't afford the costly medical procedures, which aren't always covered by health insurance.
Other trans people simply don't want to go through the surgeries, perhaps because they're satisfied with their bodies despite their gender identity. It varies from person to person. But the bottom line is that what might drive some people to want to change their bodies appears to be inherent. Trying to make someone disregard that base characteristic is a bigger demand for many trans people than going through some physical changes.
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Why many transgender people feel they have to change their bodies. Share this story Share this on Facebook Share this on Twitter Share All sharing options Share All sharing options for: Why many transgender people feel they have to change their bodies. Reddit Pocket Flipboard Email.
Shutterstock A common question about transgender people, recently cropping up in a top-voted thread on Reddit , is why they can't just get therapy to deal with their feelings and learn to accept the bodies they were born with.
Gender identity appears to be inherent Trans Student Educational Resources The vast majority of Americans are cisgender, meaning they identify with the sex they were assigned at birth. Some are satisfied with no medical or surgical treatment but prefer to dress as the felt gender in public. Some people make use of Trans affirming social networks online and in local supportive communities to cope with gender dysphoria and claim a gender identity and forms of expression that do not require medical treatments.
Some individuals choose to express their felt gender in private settings only because they are either uncomfortable or fearful of publicly expressing their felt gender. People who are denied or have no access to gender affirming treatments can become anxious, depressed, socially withdrawn and suicidal.
Such a desire is called transvestitism and it is not a psychiatric disorder. Jack Drescher, M. White Institute. People with gender dysphoria may be very uncomfortable with the gender they were assigned, sometimes described as being uncomfortable with their body particularly developments during puberty or being uncomfortable with the expected roles of their assigned gender.
Learn More. View More. I agree. About the Experts Jack Drescher, M. Jack Pula, M. It's important to know that not all transgender people be able to make the changes they need to their IDs and other official documents.
Unfortunately, these changes are often expensive, burdensome, and complicated, putting them out of reach for many people. For example, some states still require proof of surgery or a court order to change a gender marker. In many states, the process can be time-consuming and involve many steps, or cost hundreds of dollars. NCTE works to modernize all of these outdated requirements.
States are increasingly adopting more accessible and straightforward policies for changing one's name and gender marker. Some, but not all, transgender people undergo medical treatments to make their bodies more congruent with their gender identity and help them live healthier lives.
While transition-related care is critical and even life-saving for many transgender people, not everyone needs medical care to transition or live a fulfilling life. Different transgender people may need different types of transition-related care. People should make decisions about their care based on their individual needs. Medical procedures can include:. While not everyone needs transition-related medical treatments, there is an overwhelming consensus in the medical community that they are medically necessary for many transgender people and should be covered by private and public insurance.
Every major medical organization in the United States has affirmed that transition-related medical care is safe and effective, and that everyone who needs it should be able to access it. Unfortunately, this critical care is often denied by insurance companies, often in spite of state and federal laws. For some transgender people, the difference between the gender they are thought to be at birth and the gender they know themselves to be can lead to serious emotional distress that affects their health and everyday lives if not addressed.
Gender dysphoria is the medical diagnosis for someone who experiences this distress. Not all transgender people have gender dysphoria. On its own, being transgender is not considered a medical condition. Many transgender people do not experience serious anxiety or stress associated with the difference between their gender identity and their gender of birth, and so may not have gender dysphoria. That can include dressing and grooming in a way that reflects who one knows they are, using a different name or pronoun, and, for some, taking medical steps to physically change their body.
It's important to remember that while being transgender is not in itself an illness, many transgender people need to deal with physical and mental health problems because of widespread discrimination and stigma.
Many transgender people live in a society that tells them that their deeply held identity is wrong or deviant. Some transgender people have lost their families, their jobs, their homes, and their support, and some experience harassment and even violence.
Transgender children may experience rejection or even emotional or physical abuse at home, at school, or in their communities. These kinds of experiences can be challenging for anyone, and for some people, it can lead to anxiety disorders, depression, and other mental health conditions. But these conditions are not caused by having a transgender identity: they're a result of the intolerance many transgender people have to deal with.
Many transgender people — especially transgender people who are accepted and valued in their communities — are able to live healthy and fulfilling lives. Transgender people should be treated with the same dignity and respect as anyone else and be able to live, and be respected , according to their gender identity. But transgender people often face serious discrimination and mistreatment at work, school, and in their families and communities. For statistics about these types of discrimination, go to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey page.
Living without fear of discrimination and violence and being supported and affirmed in being who they are is critical for allowing transgender people to live healthy, safe, and fulfilling lives. In recent years, laws, policies and attitudes around the country have changed significantly, allowing more transgender people than ever to live fuller, safer, and healthier lives.
The transgender movement is part of a long tradition of social justice movements of people working together to claim their civil rights and better opportunities in this country. These challenges are connected. Discrimination that transgender people of color face is compounded by racism, and lower-income transgender people face economic challenges and classism.
NCTE believes that progress towards transgender equality requires a social justice approach that fights all forms of discrimination. Skip to main content. Issues Resources. Frequently Asked Questions about Transgender People. July 9,
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