Transsexuals
Transsexuals suffer many hurdles to achieve their required
correction of the error of their birth. They must face society,
the medical establishment, the common loss of all family
and friends, the cost of treatment, the extreme difficulty
of the required 'half-way' phase of transition
which may last up to two years, and the inner turmoil of self-doubt
and conditioned self loathing of their condition. It has
been estimated (in 1981) that about 50% do not survive the
malady, ending up dead by the age of 30, usually by their
own hand. Almost all of this morbidity is attributed to
the additional burden caused by the violent unacceptance
of society, the rejection of family and friends, and the
inability to find decent care.
Being a transsexual is not something that can be ignored
or suppressed forever. Unlike the facinations of the
crossdresser or the partially altered transgenderist,
the absolute compulsion of classical transsexualism
is a matter of life and death. Social oppression, culturally
indoctrinated shame, self loathing, and bigotry slaughter
transsexuals. With treatment and support, comes survival
and a successful life. The success rate for the treatment
of transsexuals is among the highest in medicine.
I am grateful that I live in an age where I could get the hormones
and surgery I needed, and that I could become what I am today.
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