Transgender and nonbinary individuals need to align their outward presentation with their gender identity. Furthermore, they need a comprehensive approach to support. Transgender refers to people whose gender identity is different – not the same from the sex they were assigned at birth. Being a male, female, or any other gender expression defines how a person communicates gender identity to others through their behaviour, clothing, hairstyles, voice, or body.
A person assigned male at birth, who identifies as female is a transgender person and vice versa. Some transgender people choose to undergo medical or surgical transition, while others do not – both are valid. These people belong to the LGBTQ community.
What makes sex and gender different
Sex and gender are clear concepts. Sex is defined by biological traits like chromosomes, hormone levels, and reproductive anatomy is generally classified as male or female.
Looking to the other side, gender encompassing roles, behaviour patterns, and expressions associated with gender of being a man or woman. This is how individuals perceive themselves and how society responds to them. It surrounds gender identity, which refers to an individual’s deeply felt sense of being male, female, or neither.
What changes do transgender people face?
They often face a wide range of social, medical, and legal changes. Some are due to personal choice, and others are influenced by societal expectations. Here are some key changes they may go through:
- Personal and emotional changes like self-discovery and identity acceptance, mental health challenges, and improved self-esteem and confidence.
- Social changes like coming out to friends, family, and the workplace and facing social stigma or discrimination.
- Medical changes include hormonal replacement therapy, voice therapy, or other treatment.
Treatment for Transgenders: Gender Affirming Surgery
Managing gender dysphoria may involve transitioning through gender expression, undergoing hormone therapy, pursuing surgical options, and receiving supportive mental health counseling. Certain aspects of gender expression can involve medical interventions, such as gender-affirming hormone therapy to help align physical traits with one’s gender identity, and gender-affirming surgeries that modify the chest, genitalia, or facial features. Surgery like mammoplasty and vulvoplasty makes changes to the chest, parts of a person’s sex organs that are outside the body, or facial features.
ConclusionTransitioning is not about changing who someone is, it’s about becoming who they truly are. For transgender individuals, matching their physical appearance and lived experiences with their true gender identity is an important step toward feeling genuine and at ease in their lives. There are communities which have support groups. Whether through social changes, medical treatments, or surgery, these steps help reduce gender dysphoria, improve mental health, and foster a deeper sense of self-respect and acceptance. Transgender surgery in India is easily available. For more information, you can contact VJ’s transgender clinic in Visakhapatnam. Ultimately, every transgender person’s journey is unique, and their choices deserve understanding with respect and support.
