Gender Dysphoria-transsexualism –benjamin’s Syndrome

[Guest Zenda]

Kia Ora,

It’s an old topic just spruced up a little…

When talking to cisgender people I very rarely use the term ‘transsexual’ to describe myself…If the situation should arise re my former sexual identity, I say I was born with a congenital condition known as ‘Benjamin’s Syndrome’- now the sheer mention of BS get the person [who I’m speaking with] mind thinking along the lines of a ‘medical’ condition-they will normally then ask more probing questions and down the line that’s when I would say “Oh a common term for BS is ‘transsexualism’!”…

By using a more medical sounding term to begin with to describe it, tends to stop their mind from heading straight to the likes of the Jerry Springer show for verification of the term…

Some members wear the term ‘transsexual’ like a badge of honour -each to their own-whatever turns you on…But when one has fully transitioned [either with or without genital surgery] and living in society as their ‘affirmed’ gender, should they still see themselves as just a congenital ‘condition’ with male or female as a suffix ?

Or as plain old males or females with no additives?

The other thing – ‘Gender Dysphoria’ do we ever really stop being dysphoric about our gender identity? Even after transition, some are still not 'happy' with the outcome...

Metta Jendar

[Guest Leah1026]

The other thing – ‘Gender Dysphoria’ do we ever really stop being dysphoric about our gender identity? Even after transition, some are still not 'happy' with the outcome...

I'm going to avoid the HBS issue.

As far as dysphoria goes..... for the most part YES. I wouldn't describe myself as dysphoric at all; and yet our past did happen. And that past helped shape who we are today.

I prefer to look at this from the other end.... Am I better off now?

Hell YES!

I have a peace of mind and contentment that was impossible before. Life is worth living.

Clear enough?

[Guest LightNebula]

Kia Ora,

It’s an old topic just spruced up a little…

When talking to cisgender people I very rarely use the term ‘transsexual’ to describe myself…If the situation should arise re my former sexual identity, I say I was born with a congenital condition known as ‘Benjamin’s Syndrome’- now the sheer mention of BS get the person [who I’m speaking with] mind thinking along the lines of a ‘medical’ condition-they will normally then ask more probing questions and down the line that’s when I would say “Oh a common term for BS is ‘transsexualism’!”…

By using a more medical sounding term to begin with to describe it, tends to stop their mind from heading straight to the likes of the Jerry Springer show for verification of the term…

Some members wear the term ‘transsexual’ like a badge of honour -each to their own-whatever turns you on…But when one has fully transitioned [either with or without genital surgery] and living in society as their ‘affirmed’ gender, should they still see themselves as just a congenital ‘condition’ with male or female as a suffix ?

Or as plain old males or females with no additives?

The other thing – ‘Gender Dysphoria’ do we ever really stop being dysphoric about our gender identity? Even after transition, some are still not 'happy' with the outcome...

Metta Jendar

I think it's fine whatever people see themselves as after they've transitioned, but that's just me. To give a better answer, though: they should think of themselves as what they are in gender, but they shouldn't forget, though, that they were once in the "wrong body", and try to support others with similar problems, as long as it doesn't bring back awful memories or something like that. In a way my answer is sort of a mix of your options.