Transgender

Stephanie Erb  **Transgender**

**Transgender Definition** A transgender person is someone that feels a stronger association to the sex opposite to that in which they had physically been assigned to at birth (Samuel, 649). As a result, a person may //have// the male reproductive o rgans and body parts, but that person //feels// that they are actually meant to be female (Samuel, 649). Transgender people can have sexual preferences for either or both genders; that is, they could be gay, bisexual or straight. The transgender definition is not a label of sexual preference, but rather a label of gender identification. **Negative Stigma and Transgender** Stigma and discriminatory attitudes are often attached to a transgender identity. It was found that more than half of transgender participants in one study had experienced violence as a result of their opposite-sex gender association (Kosenko,132). Transgender members of society are at a higher risk for experiencing depression, becoming suicidal, partaking in drug and alcohol abuse and contracting sexually transmitted illnesses, including HIV and AIDS (Kosenko, 132). Because there is a lack of language and terminology regarding transgender sexual practices and relationships, verbal discourse on the topic is particularly difficult for partners engaged in this type of relationship. (Kosenko, 139). **Transgender Romantic Relationships** Open and honest communication specifically in transgender relationships can pose many problems, particularly when revealing to an unknowing romantic partner that one has is transgender. In a study performed by Kosenko in 2010, transgender individuals found it very physically risky when disclosing to their romantic partner that they are transgender. A very common reaction that the surprised romantic partner revealed was physical violence and anger (Kosenko, 135). Early disclosure of the transgender identity frequently led to a swift ending to romantic relationships; while later disclosures of the transgender identity led to romantic partners feeling very misled and angry (Kosenko 136). This suggests that there is no good time to admit to being a transgender. Conversations that reveal a transgender identity to a romantic partner are likewise dangerous to the physical and emotional health of those involved, and are thus avoided and ignored, resulting in a lack of discourse about sexual safety and health between members in the relationship (Kosenko 140). **Transgender Youth** Transgender youth are particularly at risk for health complications including depression and suicide (Eliason, 5). One major reason that transgender and other sexual minority teens are so susceptible to depression is because there is such a negative stigma attached to being gay, bisexual, and transgender (Eliason, 8). Studies revealed that, out of over 200 universities examined, only 30% offered individual counseling to gay, bisexual and transgender students; and only 11% offered group counseling (Eliason, 8). Transgender individuals are particularly susceptible to depression and suicide risk in high school and college years because this is a time of identity-formation and the thoughts and beliefs of peers and society can greatly influence mental health (Eliason, 6). It has been found that adolescents whom identify themselves as sexual minorities are more likely to experience symptoms of depression and hopelessness as a result of feeling sexual attraction to members of the same sex (Eliason, 6). **Transgender Depression** These feelings of depression and loneliness have been identified as leading transgender young adults into risky sexual practices and behaviors. In 2009, The Transgender Advisory Committee interviewed over one hundred and fifty transgender females between the ages of fifteen and twenty-four. It was found that 67% had been engaged in sex as a profession and 19% were aware of being HIV positive (Wilson, 902). The transgender females that had participated in the study were formerly males that identified themselves as females. It was revealed that those transgender females that had been engaged with sex-related work had reported much higher rates of hopelessness, depression and drug and alcohol abuse (Wilson, 909). **Transgender Health Care** Another area of sexual communication for transgender people is in the health care realm. Transgender males and females are often participating in either testosterone or estrogen treatments in order to change their bodies into the opposite gender (Zaritsky & Samuel, 650). In addition, transgender patients sometimes undergo sexual reassignment surgeries where they can remove certain reproductive organs or add others. Unfortunately, there is not a prevalence of information throughout the current health care system that deals with the consequences of transgender health issues (Zaritsky & Samuel, 650). For example, any person that has breasts, male or female will need to receive mammograms; in addition, a transgender female that has removed the prostate gland should no longer receive rectal examinations. Disparities and problems can easily arise when doctors are not educated in transgender health. Physicians can e asily do or say the wrong things that result in patients avoiding going to the doctor for checkups out of embarrassment and frustration. One piece of advice for physicians is to become familiar with correct terminology regarding the transgender identity; this way, patients will feel more comfortable. It is also important to address a transgender person by the gender identity that they assume for their self, not their born gender (Zaritsky & Samuel, 650). **Transgender Families** Another aspect of communication for transgender individuals is within the family setting. Evidence suggests that it is even more difficult for transgender people to admit to their families that they are transgender than being gay or bisexual (Norwood, 6). Problems can arise in the family setting that have to do with traditional family roles, which are gendered: mother, father, son, daughter. There can be a lot of confusion about how to view the family member (Norwood, 8). Parents of transgender children often experience feelings of loss, shame, guilt, and hopelessness, which are often projected onto the transgender child (Norwood, 9). Family members must also reconstruct how they view their transgender children or siblings, resulting in isolation and grief; they often see their transgender child’s former identity as gone or dead (Norwood, 10). These results can stunt familial communication and lead to negative consequences for transgender individuals and their family members (Norwood, 13). <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;">**Transgender Communication** <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;">Transgender communication is limited in many realms including health care, family and within romantic relationships. This all stems from a lack of societal information and communication regarding transgender identity affiliations. The negative stigmas and beliefs that surround transgender individuals have detrimental effects on the identities and livelihoods of transgender children, teens and adults. In addition, transgender individuals are at an increased risk for sexual health problems because of their shame and embarrassment at feeling that their minds are different from their bodies. Being transgender can be extremely difficult on a person and the lack of communication about this issue can and will have very negative consequences for those that are transgender. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin: 0px;">**References** <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Eliason, M. (2011). Introduction to special issue on suicide, mental health, and youth development. Journal of homosexuality, 58(1), 4-9. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Kosenko, K. A. (2010). Meanings and Dilemmas of Sexual Safety and Communication for Transgender Individuals. //Health Communication//, 25(2), 131-141. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Norwood, K. (2008). Voices of Contradiction Surrounding Transgender Identity in the Family. //Conference Papers -- National Communication Association//, 1. Retrieved from EBSCO//host//. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Wilson, E C. (2009). Transgender female youth and sex work: Hiv risk and a comparison of life factors related to engagement in sex work. AIDS and behavior, 13(5), 902-913. <span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal 'Times New Roman'; letter-spacing: 0px; margin-bottom: 12px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">Zaritsky, E, Samuel, L, & Zaritsky, E. (2008). Communicating effectively with transgender patients. American family physician, 78(5), 648.