Gender variance is not a disorder
15th September 2008
In an April 2007 edition of "20/20," viewers were introduced to "gender identity disorder," a medical classification for people who do not exhibit the characteristics that are assigned to their gender. On its Web site, ABC News published an article written by the American Psychological Association entitled "What is Gender Identity Disorder?" providing information on how to detect this disorder in children, adolescents and adults.
According to the APA, an individual who has gender identity disorder displays signs of uneasiness about performing the gender role of his or her sex. The individual cannot be intersex; instead, they must be born in a body that is considered entirely female or male, at least in terms of biology.
Additionally, the individual's desire to identify as a different gender must transcend "any perceived cultural advantages of being the other sex." I suppose this means that if I want to dress like a man so that I can earn $1 doing a job that would pay a woman 75 cents, then I'm O.K. But if I feel like doing it for some reason other than privilege, then it's a disorder.
The article interchangeably uses the words "gender" and "sex" as if they were one in the same. The difference between the two could use some clarification: sex is determined by biology, something that is classified by our physical parts, while gender is the social construction of woman versus man, and the stereotypes and expectations assigned to that construction.
Sex is something assigned at birth, while gender is defined and maintained by social norms.
The article lists a bunch of stereotypical activities that are appropriate for little girls, asserting that if your little boy likes to do any of them, you should be wary. The same goes for little girls. If your little girl enjoys Batman, Superman or contact sports, she is exhibiting signs of gender identity disorder. Expect disaster to ensue.
Enjoying activities that are considered inappropriate for one's gender is undoubtedly characteristic of some transgender children. However, every child who exhibits this type of behavior does not necessarily suffer from "gender identity disorder."
The article suggests that if a child does not act in the manner that society has prescribed for his or her sex, there is a problem. A disorder, even.
Just because a little boy enjoys playing house instead of war does not mean that he wants to identify as a girl. However, in our society, gender exists as a dualism. You cannot be a boy who enjoys feminine activities. If you do, the APA decides that you want to be a girl. There is no room for fluidity.
Adults are classified similarly, described as being "preoccupied" with their desire to be identified as another gender. Using this type of language implies that the refusal to adhere to gender stereotypes is just a trivial bad habit that keeps one from going about his or her daily business. If these people could just act "normal" and agree to be classified on the basis of whether they had a penis or a vagina, the problem would be solved.
Yet when I listen to transgender people's stories, ideas and opinions, their situations cannot easily be remedied by "choosing to act normal." They truly feel as if their biological sex does not reflect their gender identity. They are born into bodies that do not correspond with how they feel on the inside. Their appearance contradicts their reality.
Gender identity disorder was featured on a "20/20" episode about the lives of transgender children. An article by Alan B. Goldberg, "Born With the Wrong Body," tells the story of one of these children: Riley Grant, a 10-year-old girl who was born biologically male.
Grant's parents told Barbara Walters that since she was as young as 2, Riley knew that she was a girl. She was frustrated that her twin sister, born biologically female, was allowed to wear dresses and play with feminine toys, while she was not.
When Riley's parents found her holding a nail clipper against her penis, they realized that she was serious about not belonging in her male body.
Thus, it is clear that transgender people are not simply "choosing" to defy gender norms. Nor can their conflict be described as something that they are merely "preoccupied" with.
The APA's article describes the problems that people with gender identity disorder encounter. They are subject to isolation and depression. Children and adolescents find it difficult to attend school due to their peers' harassment and friendships are out of the question. Transgender adults face social disapproval as well.
These are described as personal problems that people with gender identity disorder must endure. Did the APA ever consider whether society's intolerance might be the real problem?
If our society was more open to gender fluidity, transgender individuals would not feel as alienated. It would be O.K. to look like one gender, yet exhibit characteristics of the other. More importantly, people who did so would be less likely to be depressed or isolated.
Describing "gender identity disorder" as a disorder pathologizes the experiences of individuals who defy gender norms. This detracts from the role that society plays in upholding gender roles and penalizing those who evade them.
In other words, this description implies that the individual who does not fit in is at fault, rather than the society who discriminates against that individual.
The extent to which these individuals are discriminated against is sometimes fatal. Transgender people have been killed by their peers for the simple fact that they identify in a manner that they were not biologically entitled to.
Popular culture has made a few small strides in representing transgender people. A recent example is the new season of "America's Next Top Model," which includes a contestant named Isis, who was born biologically male.
Despite this type of representation, we have a long way to go before all types of people are truly accepted in our society. Constructing gender variance as a mental disease is far from helpful.
Source: The Rebel Yell