Articles
Coming Out to Family as Transgender
There are some similarities between what transgender people and gay, lesbian and bisexual people face when coming out to family members. Both groups are likely to fear that their parents will reject them after they come out.
Marriage and Coming Out as Transgender
Some transgender people come out only after years of denial, having spent many of those years in heterosexual marriages, sometimes with children.
Coming Out in Society as Transgender
Often before a child is even born, the first question for parents is, “Will it be a boy or a girl?” Much of society expects a person’s gender to be rigid and unchanging. In the public arena, confusion about gender may make people uncomfortable, and can sometimes lead them to say and do things to express that discomfort. This means that transgender people often face harassment while engaged in the day-to-day interactions required in our society.
Coming Out to Oneself as Transgender
Those who express a transgender identity while young face some unique challenges. As minors, young transgender people are likely to be at the will of their parents or primary caregivers, who do not always understand their experiences.
What Is Gender Identity Disorder?
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.