Gender Dysphoria

The biological sex of male or female may not accurately, or entirely, describe how a person identifies his or her own gender. Gender dysphoria is a recent classification that is used to describe individuals who believe they have been born in the wrong body. Such individuals do not identify themselves by their biological sex, but rather by their gender identity, which focuses on the other sex. For instance, a biological male could identify as female. Those born with gender dysphoria suffer from distress because their biological sex does not match their identity, and often suffer a multitude of related mental health concerns (e.g., depression, anxiety). Gender dysphoria is not well understood, and, as a result, a great deal of misinformation and stigmatization about it exists.

http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Gender-dysphoria/Pages/Introduction.aspx

After watching the video “Transgender: Ruth’s story” and reading the article “Gender Dysphoria,” consider the questions below. Then submit your responses.

Question 1

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Question 2

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Question 3

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Question 4

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Answers will vary. One possibility: The child insists that he or she is of the opposite sex and the child feels extreme distress as the physical changes of puberty occur.

Question 5

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Answers will vary. One possibility: The person may apply for and obtain a gender recognition certificate to acknowledge their gender identity. They may also get a new birth certificate, driver’s license, and passport, and can marry in their new gender.

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