So who are the readers and writers of TG Forum?
  We are as diverse as the thousands of colors on
  your computer. At one point in our transgender
  history we were deemed either transsexuals or
  transvestites, which did not explain the
  "continuum of gender expression" which is
  recognized today by most health care providers.
  The term "transgender" was born in 1987 to
  encompass the individuals who desire to live with
  some of the attributes and dress of the opposite
  sex without undergoing sex or gender
  reassignment surgery. If we take the highest
  prevalence estimates of transsexuals seeking SRS
  from the Netherlands, it is estimated to be 1 per
  11,900 men and 1 per 30,400 women. And if we
  take the number of monthly TGF hits as 50,000
  with duplications, we are only looking at a
  handful of TS's who partake of our contents. That
  leaves the majority of us in the "Gender Identity
  Disorder Not Otherwise Specified" (GINDOS)
  category. The reason that we are categorized by
  the Harry Benjamin International Gender
  Dysphoria Association's Standards of Care and
  classified by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual
  of Mental Disorders is that professionals need to
  communicate on the same wavelength and health
  care providers need diagnoses in order to provide
  appropriate treatment. Never mind that insurance
  companies want proper diagnostic codes for
  payment. We were once a disorder, but now we
  are a dysphoria which refers to the presumed
  distress resulting from our conflicting gender
  identity. If you could accomplish your
  transformation without medical help, then you
  may argue that there is no need for
  categorization.

  The ability of health care professionals to
  understand who we are is responsible for moving
  the earlier dichotomy of TS and TV to the all
  encompassing term of "Gender Dysphoria
  Syndrome" acknowledging the complexity of
  "Gender Identity Disorder Syndrome" (GIDS).
  The degree to which we are affected by gender
  dysphoria determines the treatment that is
  needed. Patients with a high degree of GIDS and
  truly TS cannot be helped by cross-dressing. They
  are asked to follow the triadic therapy of
  hormones, cross living for a year or two and
  ultimately SRS under the watchful eye of mental
  health therapists. While psychotherapy is not a
  requirement for SRS, the help and understanding
  of a trusted health care provider cannot be
  overstated. Approximately 25% will not complete
  the surgery for either psychological or financial
  reasons. Some TS's will just be happy living as
  the opposite sex. For individuals with a moderate
  degree of GIDS, some physical changes such as
  breast development, facial surgery or hormones
  will suffice to relieve the dysphoria. And for the
  mild form of GIDS there is the category of Dual
  Role Transvestitism, where there is no sexual
  motivation or desire for surgery, just a desire to
  cross-dress and be accepted as a member of the
  opposite sex for the moment.

  Currently our readers are CDs, TVs, Female
  Impersonators, Queens and Kings, Bis, TSs and
  even some Gays. Did I miss anyone? The coming
  out of TGs will show the world that there is a
  place for the melding of the sexes affirming a TG
  Identity. Since I have not yet written a medical
  column directed at our TS readers, I shall devote
  the next two articles to the surgery of SRS and its
  outcomes. Stay tuned if you have any degree of
  GIDS.

  Best of Luck in Your New Future,
  Cerise Richards, M.D.