Human Sexuality

RUNNING HEADER: Transgendered Population in America

Term Paper Queen

SFTM 5332/SFTD 6311

Human Sexuality and Gender

July 10, 2012

Table of Contents

Introduction 1

Gender/sexuality and related issues 1

Awareness and understanding of current cultural factors 2

Legal Battle for Homosexual and Transgender Rights 5

Traditional and Nontraditional sex therapy models 5

Relational understanding of client sexual issues 6

Conclusion 7

Bibliography 9

Introduction

Transgender and homosexuals are two lifestyles that are not readily accepted or embraced in our society. Many times, these individuals are depressed and find themselves the object of hatred, violence and lack of support. It is my empathy with this population that prompted me to apply my studies about human sexuality to the topic contained in this paper.

Gender definition breaks the rule of binary conflict of whether or not a person is male or female. Many of those opting to have gender reassignment surgery are in conflict with the gender in which they were born and in fact feel they were born in the wrong body. The frequent study of this confusion about gender has led scientists to gain a broader understanding of the concepts of femininity and masculinity. Unfortunately for the population this gender confusion affects; this is how and why many of them suffer the societal pressures to conform. Society uses biologic and genetic traits as well as physical appearance, to distinguish between biological males and females and that gender can be learned and changed throughout our lives by interacting with society.

Gender/sexuality and related issues

Even before prior to birth, our parents already have anticipations of what their little girl or boy will be like. Usually these expectations fit within society's forced gender roles. Boys are supposed to be tough, successful, aggressive, and self-assured while women are supposed to be dainty, emotional, caring, sensitive and compliant. "Saying it aloud for the first time took courage. I'm afraid he may grow up to be homosexual. If she thought I was deranged, she gave no sign and took me seriously. I explained that I had not a bit of solid evidence, but was just drifting in on one of those ephemeral mother-hunches." (Shyer, 1996)

The recognition and awareness of one's sexuality begins with how one regards their gender identity. This recognition can be either conscious or unconscious and begin as early as childhood. As the person develops, their gender identity usually is more defined but in some cases, it becomes complicated and even less distinct following childhood. An individual may sense his own identity as a feminine female, a masculine female or a female that fantasizes about being a man and vice-versa. Gender-assigned behavior and roles establishes our gender role in society and the gender role others perceive us as.

Awareness and understanding of current cultural factors

Everyone deserves the right to lead their life as they feel is right and normal for them. Transgenders discover their sexual orientation at different stages in life. Some have always known, and others find out much later. Chastity Bono, the daughter of pop icon Cher, is a prime example of a transgender that found out later in life. These individuals feel that gender reassignment is right for them just as a heterosexual person feels their natural gender is right for them. In earlier centuries, homosexuals were thought to be evil and it was not uncommon for people to respond to homosexuality negatively. Some of this prejudice still exists the present day.

One chief complaint is that it is unnatural and is against God. Another popular argument is that sex is for our reproduction thus requiring a male and female in order to create a new life. A transgender cannot procreate and is deemed to exist solely for pleasure. Based on this opinion, it is felt these individuals misuse their function. Therefore, staunch opponents feel that any sexual pleasure outside of procreation is immoral; thus deeming transsexuals as cursed seekers of pleasure. The argument fails to acknowledge that many homosexuals and transgenders have same morals as heterosexuals. They want to fall in love and be loved by someone. This is a natural inclination shared by everyone within our culture. Despite a transgender not being naturally born a particular gender it must be understood that just because a group's religious teaching advocates it as unnatural does not automatically make it so. Many of us have sex for solely for pleasure. people have sex frequently during a lifetime. If we brand homosexuals as "sinners" solely for this reason, we must consider heterosexuals sinners as well (Rachels, 2003).

Many gender identity confused individuals are pressured to marry in a heterosexual union in an attempt to conform to society before they fully comprehend their own sexuality. It is not uncommon to hear of men or women divorcing their partner because they realized a certain self-truth (Marcus, 1993). Additional problems can manifest if the couple has children. These issues often lead to custody battles. In most cases, a judge will grant custody to the heterosexual parent (Golombock, 1994). This can be devastating to the homosexual or transgendered parent.

An unsympathetic judge may deem that the parent's homosexual or transgender orientation would be "harmful" to the child. Some have blatantly argued that a male child may lose their masculinity or become gay, and that female children might become tomboys or lesbians. Since there are no existing studies to prove this theory either way, it remains inconclusive. Many children have grown up with homosexual parents and weren't affected by their sexual orientation. Children flourish in a loving atmosphere (Golombock, 1994).

Not all transgenders are the result of a heterosexual marriage or union. Yet there are many who are willing to be able to adopt.