The Cutting Edge-Sept 14, 2015
By Barbara F.
Anderson, Ph.D., LCSW
Lots of news this month so entries will by necessity be
brief. Hopefully, you can follow up on
articles that whet your appetite from original sources.
In an opinion piece, Richard A. Friedman, professor of
clinical psychiatry, examines the fascinating subject, “How Changeable is
Gender?” in the NYTimes of Aug. 23, 2015.
He begins his treatise with facts illustrating that modifying one’s
gender does not guarantee a lifetime of happiness as evidenced by high
incidence of post-transition suicide and depression. He then moves on to
discuss gender dysphoria in children and cites several studies tracking its
persistence thru adolescence to adulthood.
His conclusion is that this experience in children is “highly unstable
and likely to change.” However, the
longer dysphoria persists, say into adolescence, the more likely it is to
signal a permanent condition.
Remember Ashley Diamond, the trans inmate who sued the
State of Georgia for access to hormone replacement treatment and protection
from prison rape? In a surprise move,
she was unexpectedly paroled after serving less than a third of her 12 year
sentence for burglary. The parole board
issued a statement that her release was “compatible with the welfare of society
and public safety….” NYTimes Sept. 1, 2015
Gay and transpeople are seeking a meeting with the Pope
during his visit to the US in September.
They are asking him to take a stand on the issues of sexuality and
gender that are increasingly dividing Catholics. Lui Matsuo, 28, born female, has said he has
identified as a male since a toddler, and is among a group of gay and trans
Catholics looking forward to attending the 4-day upcoming World Meeting of
Families in Phila. occurring just prior to the Pope’s visit. NYT July 29, 2015.
A lengthy and admiring portrait of Phyllis Frye appeared
on the front page of the Sunday NYTimes, August 30, 2015. Entitled “Once a Pariah, Now a Transgender
Judge,” it describes the lifetime achievements of this pioneer. In the summer of 1976, 28 year old Phillip
Frye embarked on transition. He had been
forced to resign from the military for ”sexual
deviation,” had been disowned by his parents, divorced by his wife, and denied
contact with his son. With the encouragement
of Frye’s 2nd wife, she embarked on a new life in which she could be
forthright and authentic. Today, at 67,
she is this country’s 1st openly transgender judge. In the years
between she earned a law degree, appeared on the Phil Donahue Show, and spoke
out eloquently for gay and trans rights.
Transgress and Harbor View presses have released the 1st
guidebook of gender transition written especially for youth. Author, Seth Rainess, offers a roadmap of the
many issues youngsters can expect to encounter on their journeys, including
medical treatment options, dating and disclosure. The title is “Real Talk for Teens: A
Jumpstart Guide to Gender Transitioning and Beyond.
A proposal by the Obama administration bans any health
program that receives federal funds from discriminating based on gender
identity. This rule is considered to be
“the most significant affirmation of the rights of transgender individuals of
equal treatment in health care and health insurance that has existed anywhere
in the law” according to a prominent law professor. This regulation must go through a public
comment period before implemented. NYTimes Sept. 4, 2015.
