What Is Gender Identity Disorder?
GID is how the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders characterizes transsexualism. Diagnostic criteria for GID include strong and persistent cross-gender identification that extends beyond a desire for a perceived cultural advantage. People with GID act and present themselves as members of the opposite sex. The feeling of being in the body of the “wrong” sex must persist for at least two years for this diagnosis to be made.
Transgender activists are continuing to discuss whether this diagnosis is helpful to transgender people. There have been some incidents when psychologists have institutionalized patients in ignorant attempts to “correct” a person’s gender presentation. Insurance carriers, however, currently cover many medications prescribed to patients diagnosed with other disorders classified in the manual. Some activists believe they could also be required to cover costs of hormones for GID patients.