1. Being Transgender and the Process
of Gender Re-Assignment
Kaitlin Jones

2. What does it mean to be transgender
and what does it entail?

3. What Does it Mean to Be
Transgender?
• There are many ways to define the term
‘Transgender’.
• Transgender is the state of one’s gender identity
or gender expression not matching one’s assigned
sex.
• The term ‘transgender’ can be categorized in a
number or ways:
– Transsexual
– Cross-dressing
– Drag Queens/Drag Kings
– Genderqueer

4. Transsexual
• To be transsexual is when someone desires
gender reassignment surgery.
• A big misconception is that transsexualism
coincides with sexual orientation.
• Being transsexual may entail a lifetime of
challenges with oneself and their community.

5. Cross-Dressing
• Cross-dressing is a form of gender expression.
• Those who cross-dress may not desire gender
reassignment surgery.
• Cross-dressing is just a form of expressing
one’s internal self through their external self.

6. Drag Queens/Drag Kings
• Drag queens are men who wear
women clothing and perform as
women in order to entertain at
bars, clubs, parties, etc.
• Drag kings are women who wear
mens clothing and perform as
men in order to entertain at
bars, clubs, parties, etc.

7. Genderqueer
• Genderqueer is a term given to people who
recognize themselves outside of the gender
binary.
• They identify themselves as one or more of the
following:
– Having two or more genders
– Without a gender
– Moving between genders or with fluctuating gender
identity (genderfluid)
– Third gender or other-gendered; those who do not
place a name to their gender

8. Recognition
• Those who are transgender usually notice an
abnormality within themselves at a very
young age.
• It is normal for children to act outside their
gender assignment.
• Since transgenderism is relatively rare, most
children grow out of that stage of acting as the
opposite gender.

9. Recognition
• For those who do not grow out of it, they
begin to become very confused of who they
are.
• As a child who is transgender grows older they
may become very isolated with them selves
and those around them.
• As an adolescent and an adult, it can lead to
social anxiety, depression, and thoughts of
suicide.

10. Counseling
• It is ideal that one who is struggling with their
identity seeks out counseling to ensure safety and
an overall well-being.
• Counseling is provided to allow those who are
transgender become comfortable with
themselves and who they are and to become
comfortable with themselves within society.

11. Seeking Out Gender Reassignment
Surgery
• For transgenders who seek gender
reassignment surgery, it become a long
process and can take several years.
• There are three phases after transgender
diagnosis for those undergoing surgery:
– Hormone therapy
– Real-Life Experience, or Real-Life Test
– Surgery

12. Real-Life Experience
• The Real-Life Experience is a test for patients
who are seeking gender reassignment surgery.
• When a patients begin hormone therapy, they
are required to go out and live life as their
desired gender.
– Change of name (if possible)
– Dress as desired gender

13. Gender Reassignment Surgery
• Before a person may undergo surgery, they must
meet certain criteria to be eligible for surgery.
– Be 18 years of age
– Understand what hormones can and cannot do
medically and understand their social benefits and
risks
– Have either a minimum of three months of
psychotherapy or a documented three month real-life
experience
– Show stable or improved mental health
– Demonstrate ability to take hormones responsibly

14. Post Gender Re-Assignment Surgery
• After surgery, many will face many challenges
within society involving discrimination.
• Although one may have a tremendous support
system, there will always be those who will never
fully be able to recognize the process that those
who are transgender undergo.
– Internal struggles
– External struggles
– Process of counseling
– Process of gender reassignment surgery

15. Transgender Discrimination
• Transgenders, as well as many other minority
groups, struggle with discrimination.
– Employment
– Housing
– Public accomidations

16. Real-Life Stories
• Diane Shroer
• Born male who never spoke of her internal
struggle or life-long confusion.

17. Real-Life Stories
• Diane was known as David for most of her life.
• She joined the army to keep her focus and
keep her mind off why she was not a girl.
• After 25 years of honorably serving the United
States, she Retired as a full Army Colonel.

18. Real-Life Stories
• After retiring from the Army, she decided to
acknowledge Diane and say goodbye to David.
• She then applied for a job at the Library of
Congress and was selected as one of the top
candidates for the job.
• The job offer was immediately revoked when
she told them she wanted to begin work as
Diane.

19. Works Cited
• "Transgender Before and After ." . N.p., 12 Dec. 2012. Web. 26 May 2014.
• "Sermons." : September 2012. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.
• "What To Know About Men's Clothing." Absolute Menswear. N.p., n.d. Web. 26
May 2014.
• "Weekend mody i urody w Club TV - Moda i Ja Portal Nowoczesnej Kobiety." Moda
i Ja Portal Nowoczesnej Kobiety. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.
• Grush, Loren. "Stress management therapy effectively prevents MS brain lesions."
Fox News. FOX News Network, 12 July 2012. Web. 26 May 2014.
• "The Sanity Of A Mad Woman." The Sanity Of A Mad Woman. N.p., n.d. Web. 26
May 2014.
• "White House not appealing transgender ruling - USATODAY.com." White House
not appealing transgender ruling - USATODAY.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.
• "Northern Illinois University." NIU alumna will discuss sex discrimination case. N.p.,
n.d. Web. 26 May 2014.
• "USATODAY.com - Transgender employees see changes in colleagues, too."
USATODAY.com - Transgender employees see changes in colleagues, too. N.p., 10
June 2005. Web. 26 May 2014.

20. Link to Presentation