Transgender Visibility Guide: A Note on Transitioning
It’s important to remember that “transgender” is a broad term describing many different people who express gender in many different ways, each as authentically as the next.
For many transgender people, the process of transitioning, and the period of time when a person changes from living in one gender to living in another, is when we feel most exposed and the decision to disclose becomes most critical to our lives.
Transitioning does not always involve medical treatment. By dressing in preferred-gender clothing, changing their bodies through exercise, adjusting mannerisms and speech patterns or requesting that friends and family address them with preferred names and pronouns, transgender people can use non-medical options to live their gender identities or expressions.
Others who transition pursue medical treatment — hormone therapy, surgery or both — to align their bodies with the gender they know themselves to be.
In many parts of the world, the accepted clinical guidelines for those who undertake medical transition are known as the Standards of Care. These standards are developed by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health, or WPATH (formerly known as the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association), a widely recognized professional organization devoted to the understanding and treatment of gender identity disorders. Information on the WPATH Standards of Care can be found at www.wpath.org.
Another increasingly common treatment protocol is known as Informed Consent. Through this protocol, transgender people are made aware of the effects of medical treatment and then asked to provide consent, much like with other medical procedures. Some doctors supervise medical transitions through a combination of both protocols.
Regardless of how a person lives his or her gender identity, transitioning can be a very public “outing.” It involves disclosing to family, friends, employers and healthcare providers. For most transgender people, transitioning by its very nature is not something that can be hidden from everyone.
When it comes to transitioning, a broad range of medical personnel — from psychologists or psychiatrists to surgeons, endocrinologists and/or voice therapists — may be consulted. If possible, it’s very helpful to find healthcare professionals in your geographic area who are experienced in serving transgender patients. If there are no such providers in your area, an open-minded provider who is willing to learn about the specific health needs of transgender people and who is willing to speak with more experienced providers may be sufficient.
Questions for Healthcare Providers:
- Have you treated transgender patients in the past?
- Do you understand hormone regimens appropriate for transgender patients?
- What treatment protocol do you follow for transitions?
Remember: Do your research first. Even doctors who have had transgender patients in the past may not be experts on transitioning. Many websites and advocacy groups can offer guidance on medical transitioning. It’s key to be your own health advocate.
While this guide is primarily for transgender people who are in the early stages of disclosure, some of us may confront the issue again after transitioning, among new friends, family and co-workers. Some transgender people choose to lead “stealth” lives. While they may or may not disclose their transgender status to healthcare professionals, they either do not discuss or are very selective in disclosing their transition or gender assigned at birth with others.
Other transgender people find that being more open about their lives and stories can be safe and affirming, as many lesbian, gay and bisexual people do.
Some even choose to speak out publicly about being transgender, becoming advocates for other transgender people by sharing their stories in media interviews or by speaking to students at local colleges and universities or to business and community groups.
Transgender Visibility Guide
