tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post8913839188968295395..comments2023-05-28T23:41:17.406-07:00Comments on Whipping Girl: Trans people still “disordered” according to latest DSM-juliahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06703465310869693798noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-20864113025722212692013-04-01T16:39:16.891-07:002013-04-01T16:39:16.891-07:00As a female-bodied lesbian, it worries me that the...As a female-bodied lesbian, it worries me that the fact that I generally wear my boxer briefs over my strap-on (to keep it in place)automatically pushes me under the Transvestic Disorder diagnosis...Oh well :PAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-39692872538571916842012-12-16T15:37:34.057-08:002012-12-16T15:37:34.057-08:00Oops, apologies too, the post right above mine see...Oops, apologies too, the post right above mine seems pretty much the same thought, I had missed that one. Tana Silvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-120779631473435862012-12-16T15:32:02.342-08:002012-12-16T15:32:02.342-08:00I'm going to sound out a different thought her...I'm going to sound out a different thought here and see what everyone thinks. <br /><br />I still find the changes in the DSM-V encouraging. The main diagnosis of GID has been removed, hence the stigma of "mental" disorder" has been removed, at least from that point of view. That has been replaced with Gender Dysphoria, which recognizes being TG exists without stigmatizing it, and that it can carry serious issues that can be diagnosed and treated. To me, this all spells out, that being trans is not a mental disorder but it clears the way for a person with it to be treated by insurance and proper health care (i.e., hormones and surgery).<br /><br />But now, then, there is this other thing, the fetishism part. First, I don't understand why they seem to basically have two categories for trans folk in the DSM. There's the above Dysphoria diagnosis, and a second Travestic Disorder diagnosis too? This does seem to undermine the Dysphoria diagnosis, however, it doesn't seem to remove the legal and medical protections.<br /><br />At the end of the day, the most important thing is, is there a diagnosis that makes it hard for insurance companies to ignore their trans customers, and it seems to me that the answer is yes. So that's good. The whole Travestic Disorder issue seems more like an annoying slap in the face to the TG community from Blanchard, but that's really nothing new.<br /><br />I would like to know how others feel about this though. The insurance company I am currently under has within this past year stepped up its own TG services, including covering HRT (which they have been covering for some years now) and SRS. I would be concerned if changes in the DSM could subvert those advances. Tana Silvernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-2581023353518104342012-12-13T19:54:03.746-08:002012-12-13T19:54:03.746-08:00Hi Kelly, I appreciate your remarks, but I respect...Hi Kelly, I appreciate your remarks, but I respectfully have to disagree with you about the application of paraphilias (including Transvestic Disorder). Charles Moser has talked at great length in the sexology literature about how words like "distress" and "impairment" are often subjectively used (e.g., if my partner and I are having relationship issues, and my sexuality or clothing choice is one of the issues we fight about, and if I feel distress about our fighting, some therapists may blame the situation on my desires and view my distress as stemming directly from that). <br /><br />You also said "My greater concern of course is for those who stumble upon this without the context of a qualified therapist " - yes yes yes! I don't have any statistics, but I always come across trans people who say their first therapist didn't know anything about trans health or issues, and who turn to the DSM or other psych literature for guidance. Having Transvestic Disorder in the DSM means that therapists may read their clients through that lens, whether warranted or not.<br /><br />Finally, the DSM has ramifications outside of therapist-client relationships. Conservative groups opposed to trans rights have already latched onto "autogynephilia" as a way to dismiss trans people, and the DSM will give them more ammunition sadly...<br /><br />best wishes, -j.-juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703465310869693798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-6447514395074701862012-12-12T22:06:41.575-08:002012-12-12T22:06:41.575-08:00While I agree whole hardheartedly with the spirit ...While I agree whole hardheartedly with the spirit of this entry, the discrediting of Blanchard, and the long term harm caused by the autogynephilia hypothesis , I feel like this blog entry doesn't give a complete picture of how the diagnostic criteria is designed to be applied.<br /><br />From the Changes section of the Rationale:<br />A Paraphilic Disorder is a paraphilia that is currently causing distress or impairment to the individual or a paraphilia whose satisfaction has entailed personal harm, or risk of harm, to others in the past. A paraphilia is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for having a Paraphilic Disorder, and a paraphilia by itself does not automatically justify or require clinical intervention. ( source: http://www.dsm5.org/Lists/ProposedRevision/DispForm.aspx?ID=189 )<br /><br />It is difficult for me to imagine someone having such a good time that it "justifies or require clinical intervention," but I suppose it is possible. I do wish the counter indication of gender dysphoria was more explicit but I only wish that because I do not trust the judgment of most therapists to come to the same logical conclusion. If someone with gender dysphoria is misled by this, the ultimate blame should be with the therapist. If it is possible that someone who does not have gender dysphoria to simply haave an enjoyable hobby, sexual fantasy, or kink, but is then coerced into finding harm where there is none, the blame should also be with the therapist.<br /><br />It is the therapist who should also help determine whether this paraphilia, harmful or not, is masking a denial about gender identity. My greater concern of course is for those who stumble upon this without the context of a qualified therapist or by those who would cause us harm or seek to deny anyone treatment, including a child. We are today still locked in court battles fighting Blanchard and Bailey's other brainchild, conversion therapy--something to which even Exodus no longer subscribes. We are winning and this will follow in time. Their place in history will ultimately be in infamy.<br /><br />Gender Identity is no longer a disorder and this is a good thing. It is not the most ideal victory but it is still victory. The core of our identity may now be acknowledged as real. If gender identity causes a conflict or negative impairing feelings, gender dysphoria can be used to bill related therapy. When there ceases to be negative impairing feelings, the dysphoria diagnosis should no longer apply. As the pathology for gender identity is removed from society, we must remain assume vigilance to replace it with education and community.<br />-kelly<br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-6168960305597483052012-12-12T22:01:43.206-08:002012-12-12T22:01:43.206-08:00I agree completely with ZoëB, and think that that&...I agree completely with ZoëB, and think that that's where we'll end up. Hopefully in the ICD-11,but probably later, alas.Zoe Brainhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13712045376060102538noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-33882704191731650762012-12-12T20:16:37.521-08:002012-12-12T20:16:37.521-08:00Reminds me of when the Navy decided that sit-ups w...Reminds me of when the Navy decided that sit-ups were bad for us. So they started calling them "Crunches", the problem was that they required us to do the exact same motion as the sit-up. BUT we were now doing 'crunches' so everything was alright. My hopes for DSM-V went out the window when Blanchard got involved.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-82865618106040546052012-12-11T19:15:38.056-08:002012-12-11T19:15:38.056-08:00Because it's still an "Old Boys Club"...Because it's still an "Old Boys Club" in any elite grouping These are "elites". Elites are allowed to have their head up their ass, but because they're seen as God-like, no one disagrees. Think Guru.<br />Then grant them Enlightenment at the end of a spear...<br /><br />BTW, I'm transgender or transsexual, MTF, want breasts, beauty, and grace - and I think my (GG) partner is about at her end of acceptance (which for her really is a BIG step - She brings new meaning to Vanilla.)<br /><br />(Since she may come by to read this - I'm explaining DSM to her re: Counselling - I'm going to stay Anon on this one.)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-55114812566791666672012-12-09T23:10:17.768-08:002012-12-09T23:10:17.768-08:00for the record, I just deleted another comment (fr...for the record, I just deleted another comment (from someone posting as "Anonymous, surprise surprise). Basically it was a trans health = frivolous cosmetic surgery rant that (de)evolved into a "Obamacare sucks" manifesto. It defied my commentary guidelines: http://juliaserano.blogspot.com/2011/09/on-returning-to-blogging.html -juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703465310869693798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-88972672975054381012012-12-09T21:43:52.588-08:002012-12-09T21:43:52.588-08:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-79121428724907525202012-12-06T19:18:00.869-08:002012-12-06T19:18:00.869-08:00Sounds like you have male privilege, but not cis p...Sounds like you have male privilege, but not cis privilege, able-bodied privilege or class privilege. Poor cis men also tend to claim that male privilege does not apply to them. The truth is that being disprivileged in any number of respects does not negate the privileges that one does have. Basically, if you were a poor disabled trans woman, you would be even worse off.Shaednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-22452509937122149582012-12-06T18:38:05.400-08:002012-12-06T18:38:05.400-08:00so for the record, I do not allow blatant cissexis...so for the record, I do not allow blatant cissexism on my blog. I have outlined my comments policy previously: http://juliaserano.blogspot.com/2011/09/on-returning-to-blogging.html<br /><br />this comment slipped through the cracks & I will leave it up because I don't wanna delete the other folks comments. <br /><br />for the record, I completely understand the many reasons why people might want to remain anonymous on the internet. but when someone who goes by "anonymous" spews uninformed cissexist bullshit (rather than engaging in thoughtful dialogue), I can only assume that they are a coward...-juliahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06703465310869693798noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-16475875428145441582012-12-06T18:13:52.251-08:002012-12-06T18:13:52.251-08:00I must admit, I do like the idea of personal freed...I must admit, I do like the idea of personal freedom and individual responsibility. If the healthcare system in the U.S. would just stop worrying about trying to prevent people from supposedly making a "terrible mistake," things would be much better off. People should have a right to do whatever they want with their own bodies.<br /><br />Though on the other hand, there is still the issue of whether or not insurance will cover the cost of the surgeries. Part of me wonders whether many of these legal hoops we have to jump through are created not to protect us, but rather to protect the insurance companies...Jade Armstrongnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-50568850777091506292012-12-06T18:01:15.923-08:002012-12-06T18:01:15.923-08:00Ah, another radical, second-wave feminist whose en...Ah, another radical, second-wave feminist whose entire belief system is founded on sexism and an irrational hatred of men. <br /><br />Sorry, but transgender women take absolutely nothing away from cisgender women. You still have your own identity, which is in no way diluted or contaminated by the fact that other people sometimes are born with birth defects. So take your "sacred essence" nonsense and kindly go away. You aren't contributing anything worthwhile, and you're only making yourself and other feminists look bad.Jade Armstrongnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-21821827755455215532012-12-06T15:16:34.065-08:002012-12-06T15:16:34.065-08:00What gives anyone the right to say what we are thi...What gives anyone the right to say what we are thinking or feeling inside much less to give a label on it..Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-51252005824501835762012-12-06T13:19:28.491-08:002012-12-06T13:19:28.491-08:00Well, there is that. However...
Transexuals (as ...Well, there is that. However...<br /><br />Transexuals (as in full SRS etc) are never going to win this one. There's the fundamental catch-22 in a)insurance isn't going to pay for something that isn't wrong with you, thus b)they must find some way to declare what's wrong with you. This leads to the cognitive dissonance of "I have a birth defect/born in wrong body/gender dysphoria -- BUT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH ME!!!"<br /><br />That said, the thing sane people do when confronted with legality vs. necessity is to err on the side of necessity. You can spend all your time and money fighting the government regulations and the medical establishment (both of which are NOT getting any easier), or save up a few grand and take a holiday in Thailand. I find it odd that a class of people (TS), whom this society has not treated very well, are so damnably eager to follow every dictate of that society. I should think it easier to defy rules than to defy biology.<br /><br />I am not TS and so don't have a dog in the fight, but I am an intersexed (genetically outside the M/F binary) individual whose gender 'presentation' or lack thereof varies by the day -- though typically leaning more to the female end of the spectrum, away from what my ID says. So I do understand these issues, having spent my whole life with them.<br /><br />It just seems to me that too many people are trying to rely on government and professional establishments for their personal happiness. The notion is absurd on its face. Government exists to expand government. Professional establishments exist to further the aims of the professionals in them, not their customers. It's really quite foolish to expect anything different. <br /><br />We could also point out the nanny-state element that vainly attempts to protect everyone from everything. I know, for instance, that I could pop down to Mexico and buy myself 500 kilos of estrogen pills, and their government will make no attempt to stop me from using them in any amount I choose. It's entirely my problem if I kill myself. Guidance can be had without mandating it -- but we no longer seem to be a country that values freedom, nor understands the concept of personal responsibility.<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-43646179264833672662012-12-06T11:06:49.762-08:002012-12-06T11:06:49.762-08:00That attitude is fine for some people, but when so...That attitude is fine for some people, but when someone needs access to prescription medication and surgery that can only be (legally) provided by doctors who follow those psychiatric guidelines, then they can't just ignore it.<br /><br />The issue is less "hooray psychiatrists said I'm not as crazy, so I feel good about myself now" and more "how do these changes affect how healthcare providers and lawmakers will treat me?"Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-26050177534511892482012-12-06T09:33:54.529-08:002012-12-06T09:33:54.529-08:00I'm sorry, but anyone who needs the words of p...I'm sorry, but anyone who needs the words of psychiatrists to feel validated, or determine who they are, has a mental disorder called "stupid".<br /><br />The problem isn't one lonely definition in their DSM. It's the whole concept. The DSM is big and inclusive enough that every single human being on the planet can be determined to have at least a few "mental illnesses". Except for the psychiatrists, of course, who must maintain the illusion that they are qualified to judge the behavior and motivations of others. <br /><br />They aren't. Some of the most screwed-up basket cases I know are children of psychiatrists, who apparently felt obliged to analyze and manipulate their offspring.<br /><br />Don't even bother trying to change these quacks and their DSM. Just stop paying attention to them. Don't give them power over you. They deserve only derisive laughter, not reasoned argument. (Of course, this too is a DSM-defined "mental disorder" called anti-authoritarian-complex or something. Ridiculous.)<br /><br />Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-51786459010345384962012-12-06T08:49:19.502-08:002012-12-06T08:49:19.502-08:00*ugh**ugh*Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-78316442893509711442012-12-05T10:52:31.695-08:002012-12-05T10:52:31.695-08:00Oh yeah, 'cos this isn't a show of raging ...Oh yeah, 'cos this isn't a show of raging cis privilege or anything - with the idea that only you and your kind are ever allowed to identify and live your life as you wish. As for a "mental disorder of greed and confusion", I suggest you actually educate yourself by reading Dr. Serano's 'Whipping Girl' instead of simply assuming you know better.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-49638154680768831582012-12-05T07:34:45.471-08:002012-12-05T07:34:45.471-08:00Damn Skippy. Swapping one D word for another doesn...Damn Skippy. Swapping one D word for another doesn't stop us from being pathologized by the APA. There were calls for us to be included in a V section which would have been a improvement by recognizing the main problem of being trans, social stigmatization, but that didn't happen.planet transhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02795171536476852163noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-80038686315567139932012-12-05T06:01:24.399-08:002012-12-05T06:01:24.399-08:00I hope the trans community will learn from this an...I hope the trans community will learn from this and unite in a demand for removal from DSM by the next revision. They tell us this is about insurance coverage, while in fact it is about control. They are even about to publish guidelines "to make more psychiatrists help" transgender people. There are plenty of ways to cover transition care in ICD10 already we did not need DSM.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14636433020632102567noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-78839797471600063252012-12-05T04:23:55.553-08:002012-12-05T04:23:55.553-08:00<3 ya zoe.<3 ya zoe.jaylahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05752059997887297188noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-89232093504935539542012-12-05T03:41:36.795-08:002012-12-05T03:41:36.795-08:00Hi Julia .I too want to thank you for all you do f...Hi Julia .I too want to thank you for all you do for the community. <br />I am in the first 6 months of my transition and was struggling for a moment with figuring how I fit into my own personal social situations ...(personal privilege) and how much of it would or would not affect me . I was in the process of dealing with it ... When another person suggested your book whipping girl ... <br />It has been a great read so far and has addressed the issue I was working on.... <br />Thank you for the insight. <br />Juli Richmond .Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8432122252544693588.post-71969100290641594532012-12-04T22:46:43.040-08:002012-12-04T22:46:43.040-08:00If you think that's what being trans* is...wow...If you think that's what being trans* is...wow. I'm sad for you.callmemiminoreply@blogger.com