Defining Terms

I know you're gay, that's why I want you... I'm getting off-topic, I'll leave this thread alone. I don't want to go overboard, lol.

 

you may start 'said thread' !!
S

 

oh btw, if you look at the above terms I'm a 'gender bender'!!!
S

 

The two at once, am I not correct?

 

No, I may not, I'll have to wait until I'm not so lazy.

 

Nice umbrella.

Just a wee point: transsexuals aren't born into one gender and wanting to change to the other; they're born into one sex and wanting to change to the other. There's a subtle but highly significant difference there. My gender is the same as it was the day I was born. The key point with transsexuals is that they are one sex and the other gender.

I hope I'm not coming across as hypercritical. I don't mean to - the sex/gender confusion is a fairly major misunderstanding, so it makes sense to try and clear it up.

Peace,

Bunbury.

 

not at all, I completely agree with you this will teach me to read the fine print, I might see if I can alter the poster in a bit.
sex is physical body, gender is mental, basically its who you are, is that fair?
for now I am going to paste what you have written into the first post of this thread, have a look later!
S

 

This thread is also for people to post information about Gender/sex Reassignment Surgery.

If you have any useful information please post it here, if you wish to post images please pm myself or erzebet1961, as the thread may need a warning added to it about sensative images and some images may not be allowed in here anyway

be aware that any legal or medical requirements may differ depending on what country you live in

this thread is for your information only for medical advise go and see your doctor!!

thanks
S

 

Transgender people may express their gender identity in a variety of ways. For some, simply dressing in the clothing of their chosen gender is enough, but for others, realigning their physical body to conform to their mind's view is an important step. The path to this change can be difficult and costly, and the impact of hormones and surgery can take their toll. But for many, reaching the goal is worth this burden, and they begin the journey of transition. Hormones and surgery -- Sexual Reassignment Surgery (SRS) -- are the two tools used to effect gender change.

Becoming a Female
Male-to-female (MTF) transgender individuals use estrogen to become more feminine, and it can be effective in reducing body hair, increasing breast size, reducing penis size and changing the distribution of body fat, resulting in a body that looks more female. Hormone treatment does not affect facial hair, however, and expensive and often painful electrolysis may be needed to achieve a smooth complexion.

Sexual Reassignment Surgery can be very effective for MTF individuals. Vaginoplasty is used to remove the testes and the scrotum is converted into a labia. The penis is essentially turned inside out to create a vagina. Surgery can also be used to change other features, such as augmenting breast size with implants, reducing the size of the Adam's Apple, and changing facial features to make them more feminine.

Becoming a Male
Female-to-male (FTM) transgendered individuals use the hormone testosterone to masculinize their bodies. It results in a lowered voice, greater sex drive, the growth of body and facial hair, and the end of menstruation. Interestingly, male pattern baldness can also result.

Sexual reassignment surgery for FTM individuals is much more difficult, and is often undertaken in a series of steps. Breast removal, although often quite traumatic to the body, is the most common procedure. Some individuals choose to create male genitals, as well, through one of two approaches.

Metaoidioplasty is a procedure whereby connective tissue around the clitoris is cut to increase its length and sensitivity. This typically results in a somewhat smaller penis, between two and three inches in length, but is often preferred due to the fact that nerves are intact and sensitivity is maintained. Phalloplastic surgery is a procedure used to construct a penis, using flesh removed from another part of the body, often the thigh or arm. Using current methods, a penis of about ten or more inches is constructed, and through tissue shrinkage, it ultimately becomes half that size. A penis constructed in this manner has no nerves, and although bigger, is often viewed as less satisfying than the first approach. Hysterectomies and vaginectomies are also sometimes chosen by FTMs.

Neither of these affect certain body characteristics, however. MTFs do not have periods, do not have ovaries or a uteris, and cannot give birth.

The Journey
If you have come to the conclusion that you are transgender, and you wish to change your physical gender, you're going to have to deal with a ridiculous morass of legal and procedural regulations. The path to sexual reassignment is a difficult one, and one has to navigate what can only be described as Byzantine and frankly offensive reviews. The guidelines most often applied is called "The Standards of Care for Gender Identity Disorders" and was developed by the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association. It is often identified as The Harry Benjamin Standards of Care (HBSC).

Using these tests, doctors and psychiatrists attempt to determine if someone is transsexual and whether or not their psychological and emotional makeup makes them suitable for sexual reassignment. A standard questionnaire is also used as part of this process. Hormones can be prescribed by all medical doctors and psychiatrists, but SRS should only be performed by experienced surgeons with the very specific expertise in this type of surgery.

Insurance Coverage
Most insurance companies refuse to provide coverage for sexual reassignment surgery, viewing the operation as elective and cosmetic. Hormone therapy can be expensive, and surgery can run as much as $150,000. A good source of information for this surgery is The Gender Identity Center of Colorado.

OutProud acknowledges, with grateful thanks, the following organizations and articles which provided the foundation for this document: The International Foundation for Gender Education, TGNet Arizona.

 

Sex reassignment surgery female-to-male
Sexual reassignment surgery from female to male includes surgical procedures which will reshape a female body into a body with a male appearance.

Many transmen considering the surgical option do not opt for genital reassignment surgery, though some do undergo a double mastectomy, the removal of breast and shaping of a masculine chest and hysterectomy, the removal of internal female sex organs, along with hormone treatment with testosterone.


Mastectomy

Most transmen require bilateral mastectomy, also called "top surgery", the removal of female breasts and the shaping of a male contoured chest. Transmen with moderate to large breasts usually require a formal bilateral mastectomy with grafting and reconstruction of the nipple-areola. This will result in two horizontal scars on the lower edge of the pectoralis muscle, but allows for easier resizing of the nipple and placement in a typically male position.

By some doctors, the surgery is done in two steps, first the contents of the breast are removed through either a cut inside the areola or around it, and then let the skin retract for about a year, where in a second surgery the excess skin is removed. This technique results in far less scarring, and the nipple-areola needs not to be removed and grafted. Completely removing and grafting often results in a loss of sensation of that area that may take months to over a year to return, or may never return at all; and in rare cases in the complete loss of this tissue. In these rare cases, a nipple can be reconstructed as it is for surgical candidates whose nipples are removed as part of treatment for breast cancer.

For transmen with smaller breasts a peri-areolar may be done where the mastectomy is performed through an incision made around the areola. This avoids the larger scars of a traditional mastectomy, but the nipples may be larger and may not be in a perfectly male orientation on the chest wall. In addition, there is less denervation (damage to the nerves supplying the skin) of the chest wall with a peri-areolar mastectomy, and less time is required for sensation to return. See Male Chest Reconstruction


Hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy

Hysterectomy is the removal of the uterus. Bilateral Salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO) is the removal of both ovaries and fallopian tubes. Hysterectomy without BSO in cisgendered women is sometimes referred to as a 'partial hysterectomy' and is done to treat uterine disease while maintaining the female hormonal milieu until natural menopause occurs.

Some transmen desire to have a hysterectomy/BSO because of a discomfort with having internal female reproductive organs despite the fact that menses usually cease with hormonal therapy. Some undergo this as their only gender-identity confirming 'bottom surgery'.

For many transmen however, hysterectomy/BSO is done to decrease the risk of developing cervical, endometrial, and ovarian cancer. (Though like breast cancer, the risk does not become zero, but is drastically decreased.) It is unknown whether the risk of ovarian cancer is increased, decreased, or unchanged in transgender men compared to the general female population. It will probably never be known since ovarian cancer is a relatively rare disease with an overall lifetime risk in women of only 1/70, with a median age of onset of 60 years. Because ovarian cancer is uncommon, the overall population of transgender men is very small, and even within the population of transgender men on hormone therapy, many patients are at significantly decreased risk due to prior oophorectomy (removal of the ovaries), it is essentially impossible to do the appropriate epidemiological study to answer that question. While the rates of endometrial and cervical cancer are overall higher than ovarian cancer, and these malignancies occur in younger people, it is still highly unlikely that this question will ever be definitively answered.

Decreasing cancer risk is however, particularly important as transmen often feel uncomfortable seeking gynecologic care, and many do not have access to adequate and culturally sensitive treatment. Though ideally, even after hysterectomy/BSO, transmen should see a gynecologist for a check-up at least every three years. This is particularly the case for transmen who:

retain their vagina (whether before or after further genital reconstruction,)
have a strong family history or cancers of the breast, ovary, or uterus (endometrium,)
have a personal history of gynecological cancer or significant dysplasia on a Pap smear.
One important consideration is that any transman who develops vaginal bleeding after successfully ceasing menses on testosterone, MUST be evaluated by a gynecologist. This is equivalent to post-menopausal bleeding in a cisgendered woman and may herald the development of a gynecologic cancer.


Genital reassignment

Genital reconstructive procedures (GRT) use either the clitoris, which is enlarged by androgenic hormones (Metoidioplasty), or rely on free tissue grafts from the arm, the thigh or belly and an erectile prostheses (Phalloplasty). The latter usually include multiple procedures, more expense and with a less satisfactory outcome, in terms of replicating nature.

In either case, the urethra can be rerouted through the phallus to allow urination through the reconstructed penis. The labia majora (see vulva) are united to form a scrotum, where prosthetic testicles can be inserted.

 

Sex reassignment surgery male-to-female
Sex reassignment surgery from male to female involves reshaping the male genitals into a form with the appearance of and, as far as possible, the function of female genitalia. Prior to any surgeries, transwomen usually undergo hormone replacement therapy and facial hair removal. Other surgeries undergone by transwomen may include Facial Feminization Surgery and various other procedures.


History

Lili Elbe was the first known recipient of male-to-female sex reassignment surgery in Germany in 1930. She was the subject of five surgeries- penectomy and orchiectomy, one intended to transplant ovaries, one to remove the ovaries after transplant rejection, and vaginoplasty. However, she died three months after her fifth operation.

Christine Jorgensen was likely the most famous recipient of sex reassignment surgery, having her surgery done in Denmark in late 1952 and being outed right afterwards. She was a strong advocate for the rights of transsexual people.

Another famous person to undergo male-to-female sex reassignment surgery was Renee Richards. She transitioned and had surgery in the mid-1970s, and successfully fought to have transsexual people recognized in their new sex.

The first male-to-female surgeries in the United States took place in 1966 at the Johns Hopkins University Medical Center.


The operation

(also called vaginoplasty or vaginal reconstruction surgery)

For changing anatomical sex from male to female, the testicles are removed and the skin of foreskin and penis is usually inverted, as a flap preserving blood and nerve supplies (a technique pioneered by Sir Harold Gillies in 1951) to form a fully sensate vagina (vaginoplasty). A clitoris fully supplied with nerve endings (innervated) can be formed from part of the glans of the penis. If the patient has been circumcised (removal of the foreskin), or if the surgeon's technique uses more skin in the formation of the labia minora, the pubic hair follicles are removed from some of the scrotal tissue, which is then incorporated by the surgeon within the vagina. Other scrotal tissue forms the labia majora.

In extreme cases of shortage of skin, or when a vaginoplasty has failed, a vaginal lining can be created from skin grafts from the thighs or hips, or a section of colon may be grafted in (colovaginoplasty). These linings may not provide the same sensate qualities as results from the penile inversion method, but the vaginal opening is identical, and the degree of sensation is approximately the same as that of most women so pleasure should not be less.

Surgeon's requirements, procedures and recommendations in the days before and after, and the months following these procedures vary enormously.

Plastic surgery, since it involves skin, is never an exact art, and cosmetic refining to the outer vulva is sometimes required. Some surgeons prefer to do most of the crafting of the outer vulva as a second surgery, when other tissues, blood and nerve supplies have recovered from the first surgery. This relatively minor surgery, which is usually performed only under local anaesthetic, is called labiaplasty.

The aesthetic, sensational, and functional results of vaginoplasty vary greatly. Surgeons vary considerably in their techniques and skills, patients' skin varies in elasticity and healing ability (which is especially affected by smoking), any previous surgery in the area can impact results, and surgery can be complicated by problems such as infections, blood loss, or nerve damage. However, in the best cases, when recovery from surgery is complete, it is very difficult for even a gynaecologist to detect women who have undergone vaginoplasty on a surface level but (hopefully) would notice that the mucus membrane isn't there.

Mucus membranes exist in a female vagina but not in one that has been formed due to surgery so a trans-female needs to use a lubrication when having sex and should douche occasionally so that bacteria don't start to grow and give off odors.

Because the human body treats the new vagina as a wound, any current technique of vaginoplasty requires some long-term maintenance of volume (vaginal dilation), by the patient, using medical graduated dilators, dildos, or suitable substitutes, to keep the vagina open. It is very important to note that sexual intercourse is not always an adequate method of performing dilation.

Regular application of estrogen into the vagina, for which there are several standard products, may help but this must be calculated into total estrogen dose. Some surgeons have techniques to ensure continued depth, but extended periods without dilation will still result in reduced diameter (vaginal stenosis) to some degree, which would require stretching again, either gradually or, in extreme cases under anaesthetic.


Other related procedures


Facial feminization surgery

Occasionally these basic procedures are complemented further with feminizing cosmetic surgeries or procedures that modify bone or cartilage structures, typically in the jaw, brow, forehead, nose and cheek areas (facial feminization surgery or FFS).


Breast augmentation

Breast augmentation is the enlargement of breasts, which can be necessary if hormone therapy did not yield satisfactory results.


Voice feminization surgery

Some MTF individuals may elect to have voice surgery altering the range or pitch of the person's vocal chords. However, this procedure carries the risk of impairing a trans woman's voice forever, as happened to transsexual economist and author Deirdre McCloskey. Because estrogens by themselves are not able to alter a persons voice range or pitch, some people proceed to seek treatment. Other options are available to people wishing to speak in a less masculine tone. Voice feminization lessons are available to train the MTF to practice feminization of their speech.


Tracheal shaves

Tracheal shaves are also sometimes used to reduce the cartilage in the area of the throat to conform to more feminine dimensions, to greatly reduce the appearance of an Adam's Apple.

 

Femininity

Femininity comprises the physical and mental attributes associated with the female sex and is partly culturally determined. Some of these attributes can be traced to the female reproductive role. Others are rooted in the socialization of a girl's early development and adjusted throughout adulthood by picking up or reacting to societal cues. Feminine characteristics are sometimes expressed through female gender roles, which can vary between societies and eras.

Feminine attributes

Traits that are considered feminine can be categorized into the physical (such as breasts, wider hips in relation to body size, softer facial features without facial hair, etc.) and the psychological, manifested in such things as a concern for relationships (sympathy, sensitivity, high language skills, receptivity) aesthetics (decoration and ornamentation of home and person).
Distinctly feminine attributes are hard to pin down, as are the masculine, because each attribute can be manifested in either gender. The attempt to categorize traits into strict categories of masculine and feminine has been the subject of philosophy, sociology, psychology and science for centuries, and is unlikely to be resolved satisfactorily as there are diverse views, clues, and subsequent conclusions about the matter.

Femininity in the media

The notion of feminine beauty constantly changes, and ranges the spectrum between the ultra-feminine Gibson Girl of the 1910s to the tomboyish flapper of the 1920s. Many women take their cues from film, television, or women's magazines such as Cosmopolitan, ELLE, Redbook and Us Weekly. These periodicals usually feature a glamorous covergirl whose clothing, makeup and lifestyle sometimes represent the current state-of-the-art in beauty. Some radical feminists see the (sometimes airbrushed) standards of beauty presented in women's interest magazines as examples of sexual objectification. They may view these depicted standards as impossible for most women to actually meet, and these feminists criticize women's slavish devotion to meeting these standards as evidence of patriarchal oppression. Many have criticized the fashion and entertainment industries for promoting extremely thin and unhealthy body ideals.There are also many that disagree with this viewpoint, due to the fact in an age when women hold significant sway in the fashion community, aesthetic virtue and competing for attention are still positivly connotated. They further argue that since women are the ones that are instinctually craving these beauty products, women are therefore the ones driving this yearn towards physical perfection, and not a patriarchal opression conspiracy.

Femininity in lesbians

While the purported homosexual women depicted in pornography tend to be feminine in the traditional sense of the word, the stereotypical "real" lesbian is imagined as a rather androgynous if not masculine woman who crops her hair short and wears jeans and leather vests(called a butch). In reality there are many lipstick lesbians or femmes but they tend to blend in with heterosexual women.

Femininity in men

Femininity in men is seen very negatively, much more so than masculinity among women, though this will vary by location and culture. Certain traits and behaviors, such as interest in fashion and grooming, may be seen by some as feminine, though this has not always been the case. The common stereotype of homosexual men is that they are effeminate, with perhaps even exaggerated feminine traits. While this is true of many homosexual men, there are many others who do not fit this description; gay men range from very feminine to very masculine. The effeminate gay man has gained wider acceptance in society, but there is still some stigma, especially in certain populations or locations. Even in the gay community there are many who do not tolerate effeminate gay men, and believe that they are affected and give the gay community a bad reputation. However, while some do exaggerate their femininity, most are only expressing their true personalities and therefore deserve acceptance.
In circumstances such as prison where men are segregated from women, a fraction of the population will nevertheless divide according to persistent female principles, either voluntarily or through coercion. An effeminate man exhibits what Carl Jung called the anima, the subconscious feminine psychological factors within all males. However, feminine traits that society finds admirable or at least views as neutral in women (such as "womanish tears") have traditionally been viewed more negatively when expressed by men.

Other meanings

The word feminine can also refer to:
The property of being biologically female
A traditionally female gender role
The feminine grammatical gender
The antonym of masculinity
Things considered characteristic in women
A more proper and polite word for "Girl Power"

Icons and symbols of femininity

Cat - For grace, beauty
Marilyn Monroe - for sex appeal
Mother
Nurse
Songbird
Venus figurine
Vixen

 

Masculinity is sometimes used as a synonym for manhood. The antonym of masculinity is femininity; femininity in men is sometimes called effeminacy.
Masculinity is the measure of performance in a gender role associated with male humans. Traits often associated with masculinity have their roots in the genetic predispositions of male humans which are supported, contributed to, celebrated and often exaggerated by cultural and social constructs. Therefore while masculinity can mean different things to different cultures, there are often very common aspects to its definition across cultures. The most obvious example of this is the idea that to act in an effeminate manner reduces a male's masculinity. Sometimes gender scholars will use the phrase "hegemonic masculinity" to distinguish the most dominant form of masculinity from other variants. In the mid-twentieth century United States, for example, John Wayne might embody one form of masculinity, while Albert Einstein might be seen as masculine, but not in such a clearly 'hegemonic' fashion.
In some cultures masculinity can be an indicator of social status much as wealth, race or social class. In western culture, for example, Greater masculinity usually brings greater social status for males among their peers, and many English words such as virtue (from the Latin vir for "man'", also used in words such as virulent and virile) reflect this, implying a clear association with strength. Masculinity is associated more commonly with adult men rather than younger boys as a key characteristic of social persona. The corresponding gender role for females is called femininity. To assert the presence of femininity or masculinity in a member of the opposite gender is to mark them as unusual, often in an undesirable way. In non-human primates, the corresponding trait is called dominance in both sexes, expressed as relative position within a gender group, where human terms such as "masculinity" are almost never used in general ethology.

Since Emile Durkheim, masculinity has been an interest of sociologists. Janet Saltzman Chafetz (1974, 35-36) describes seven areas of traditional masculinity in Western culture:


Concepts of masculinity in the western world during the first half of the twentieth century were most often rigid and inextricably associated with images of industrialization, military power and conventional social gender roles.
Physical--virile, athletic, strong, brave. Unconcerned about appearance and aging;
Functional--breadwinner, provider;
Sexual--sexually aggressive, experienced. Single status acceptable;
Emotional--unemotional, stoic;
Intellectual--logical, intellectual, rational, objective, practical,
Interpersonal--leader, dominating; disciplinarian; independent,
individualistic (applies to western societies);
Other Personal Characteristics--success-oriented, ambitious; proud, egotistical (applies to some societies); , moral, trustworthy; decisive, competitive, uninhibited, adventurous.
(Levine, 1998, p.13)
Social scientists Deborah David and Robert Brannon (1976) give the following four rules for establishing masculinity:
No Sissy Stuff: anything that even remotely hints of femininity is prohibited. A real man must avoid any behavior or characteristic associated with women;
Be a Big Wheel: masculinity is measured by success, power, and the admiration of others. One must possess wealth, fame, and status to be considered manly;
Be a Sturdy Oak: manliness requires rationality, toughness, and self-reliance. A man must remain calm in any situation, show no emotion, and admit no weakness;
Give 'em Hell: men must exude an aura of daring and aggression, and must be willing to take risks, to "go for it" even when reason and fear suggest otherwise.
(Levine, 1998, p.145)
Definitions of masculinity, such as all of the above, are entirely subjective observations of their authors. Observable and traditionally accepted traits of masculinity may differ across time periods and cultures. For example see machismo, which includes negative traits and positive ones including assertiveness or standing up for rights, responsibility/selflessness, general code of ethics, and sincerity and/or respect

Development of masculinity

There is an extensive debate about how children develop gender identities. See Gender identity and Gender role for a full discussion of the subject.
In many cultures non-standard characteristics of the "other" gender may become a social problem. Among sexually mature individuals, non-standard behaviors may be considered a sign of homosexuality, while a young female who exhibits masculine behavior is sometimes called a "tom boy". Within sociology such labeling and conditioning is known as peer pressure, and is a part of socialization to better match a culture's mores. The corresponding social condemnation of excessive masculinity may be expressed in by terms such as "machismo" or as "testosterone poisoning."
The relative importance of the roles of socialization and genetics in the development of masculinity continues to be debated. While social conditioning obviously plays a role, it can also be observed that certain aspects of the masculine identity exist in almost all human cultures, which points to a partly genetic origin.
The historical development of gender role is addressed by such fields as behavioral genetics, evolutionary psychology, human ecology and sociobiology. All human cultures seem to encourage the development of gender roles, through literature, costume and song. Some examples of this might include the epics of Homer, the King Arthur tales in English, the normative commentaries of Confucius or biographical studies of Muhammad. More specialized treatments of masculinity may be found in works such as the Bhagavad Gita or bushido's Hagakure.

Pressures associated with masculine gender role
Most men feel pressured to act masculine. These men feel that they have to prevail in situations that require physical strength and fitness. To appear weak, emotional, or sexually inefficient is a major threat to their self-esteem. To be content, these men must feel that they are decisive and self-assured, and rational. Masculine gender role stress may develop if a man feels that he has acted 'unmanly'. Conversely, acting 'manly' among peers will often result in increased social validation or general competitive advantage.
In 1987, Eisler and Skidmore did studies on masculinity and created the idea of 'masculine stress'. They found five mechanisms of masculinity that accompany masculine gender role often result in emotional stress. They include:
a) the emphasis on prevailing in situations requiring fitness and strength
b) being perceived as emotional and thereby feminine
c) the need to feel conquering in regard to sexual matters and work
d) the need to repress tender emotions such as showing emotions restricted according to traditional masculine customs

Coping strategies
Men and women have different ways that they appraise stressful situations and cope with them. Standards of masculinity cannot only create stress in themselves for some men; they can also limit these men's abilities to relieve stress. Some men appraise situations using the schema of what is an acceptable masculine response rather than what is objectively the best response. As a result men often feel limited to a certain range of 'approved' responses and coping strategies.

Stoicism and emotional repression
Men and women tend towards different forms of expression, although these tendencies are not rigid and overlap. There is disagreement as to the degree to which these dispositions are genetic or social. Men tend to be regarded as the ones who are supposed to give comfort and strength. If they break down, cry, or seek comfort they may be considered 'less masculine'. Women and other men do not give men an option to express feeling sad, tired, weak, depressed, inadequate, needy, or lonely without sacrificing their masculinity.

Risk-taking
Men, significantly more so than women, tend to drink and drive, not to wear seatbelts, to be aggressive, to fight, to drive fast, and to drive dangerously. Men are also more likely to be involved in a homicide, to be involved in a motor vehicle accident and other accidents (It should be noted, however, that any statistics involving males and autos can be misleading, as more men drive than women; more men have jobs requiring them to drive than women; and that even in households where both a man and woman drive, when together the driving is usually performed by the male).
Men are in fact three times more likely to die of accidents than females. Men make up 93% of workplace deaths. While many argue that this is because dangerous job industries are dominated by men, others argue that at least part of the gender disparity is due to masculine risk-taking behavior.
Men generally take more risks with their health than women. All these behaviors are acceptable for men and are to some extent deemed masculine. Men are twice as likely to die from cancer than women are. Men are more likely not wear sunscreen, eat unhealthily, and forgo cardiovascular exercise. Men are historically also more likely to smoke (although now more women start smoking than men).
The reasons for this willingness to take risks are widely debated. There is evidence to show that this is largely due to genetic predispositions of the male sex, though perhaps greatly exaggerated and supported by social constructs and related pressure. Some believe that men, especially young men, are genetically predisposed to be less risk-averse than women because, in terms of a group's reproductive capacity, the loss of a young man is much less risky in terms of evolution than the loss of a young woman, which would seem to present evolutionary pressures towards men being more predisposed to risk and danger (see handicap principle). Some also cite how widespread and culture-independent certain aspects of masculine identity are, implying that if masculinity was purely learned, different societies in different times would have completely different ideas about the masculine gender role, which has historically remained relatively consistent.
In addition to taking more risks, men appear to be more capable of managing risk and performing under stress than women.

Independence and invulnerability
Men are significantly less likely to visit their physicians to receive preventive health care examinations. Men make 134.5 million fewer physician visits than American women each year. In fact, men make only 40.8% of all physician visits. A quarter of the men who are 45 to 60 do not have a personal physician. Men should go to annual heart checkups with physicians but many do not, increasing their risk of death from heart disease. In fact, men between the ages of 25 and 65 are four times more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than women. Men are more likely to be diagnosed in a later stage of a terminal illness because of their reluctance to go to the doctor. This may also be due to the fact that men tend to not notice symptoms as quickly as women do. Jerry Kaiser, a health-care consultant believes that, "Men [are] still basically hunters and warriors They tend to not pay attention to things that are invisible and internal. If there is no clear external stimulus, there's no response."
Reasons men give for not having annual physicals and not visiting their physician include fear, denial, embarrassment, and a dislike of situations out of their control. These are feelings that result from their ideas of masculinity, specifically independence, control, and invulnerability.

Media encouragement

Portrayals of idealized masculine males in the media, like their female counterparts, are controversial for what some see as promoting an unrealistic or unachievable perfection. Many of the fashion industry's protrayls of men are seen as of ambiguous sexual orientation, rather than hyper masculine. Here, the Carlson Twins model clothing.
According to Arran Stibbe (2004), men's health problems and behaviors can be linked to the socialized gender role of men in our culture. In exploring magazines, he found that they promote traditional masculinity and claims that, among other things, men's magazines tend to celebrate 'male' activities and behavior such as admiring guns, fast cars, sexually libertine women, and reading or viewing pornography regularly. In men's magazines, several 'ideal' images of men are promoted, and that these images may even entail certain health risks.

Alcohol consumption behavior
Research on beer commercials by Strate (Postman, Nystrom, Strate, And Weingartner 1987; Strate 1989, 1990) and by Wenner (1991) show some results relevant to studies of masculinity. In beer commercials, the ideas of masculinity (especially risk-taking) are presented and encouraged. The commercials often focus on situations where a man is overcoming an obstacle in a group. The men will either be working hard or playing hard. For instance the commercial will show men who do physical labor such as construction workers, or farm work, or men who are cowboys. Beer is shown as a reward for a job well done. Beer is also associated with the end of the day as a transition from work to leisure. Beer commercials that involve playing hard have a central theme of mastery (over nature or over each other), risk, and adventure. For instance, the men will be outdoors fishing, camping, playing sports, or hanging out in bars. There is usually an element of danger as well as a focus on movement and speed. This appeals to and emphasizes the idea that real men overcome danger and enjoy speed (i.e. fast cars/driving fast). The bar serves as a setting for test of masculinity (skills like pool, strength and drinking ability) and serves as a center for male socializing. Beer is also associated with nature. The idea that beer is natural and pure, not harmful, perhaps even healthy is strongly suggested.
Another example of the depiction of alcohol consumption and bars as central to male socialization can be found in the cartoon The Simpsons. Homer Simpson, the patriarch of the family, is often referred to as an alcoholic and spends a great deal of time at Moe's Tavern. In many episodes, Homer Simpson is portrayed as choosing to spend time at the bar drinking "Duff beer" over spending time with his wife and children.
Men drink three times as much alcohol as women, often engaging in risky behavior such as binge drinking. According to a study done by Rorabaugh, college men are among the heaviest drinkers in American society. It is conceptualized that college men are seeking adventure. According to Green, drinking games are an important factor in the socialization of new students into heavy use". Drinking is seen as an adventure in itself as well as for the fact that it frees men to experience sex, violence, and other adventurous behaviors. In exchange for taking the risk presented, college men receive acceptance from their peers. Not only is alcohol in itself a risk in these men's lives, but some college rituals and traditions expect men to mix danger while they have consumed alcohol. In American colleges, young men view their manhood as developing in a moment that is socially dominated by alcohol.

Masculine roles

The following characters and roles are commonly considered in academic papers as popular hyperboles and stereotypes of masculinity.
Hoplite
Military: US Marine, Soldier, Seaman, Coastguard, Airman, Commando
Bodybuilder
Pirate
Superhero or Supervillain
Police Officer
Fireman
Firefighter
Pilot
Lumberjack
Cowboy
Ninja
Viking
Samurai
Mobster
Assasin
Athlete, Football, Soccer, Baseball
Park Ranger
Truck Driver

 

Androgyny is a State of Mind
Androgyne (pronounced ANDRAjine) is the term used to describe persons who are androgynous. Androgyny, first and foremost, is a state of mind, not just an attitude or fashion statement. The notion that only androgynous-looking people can be or are androgynous is a misconception. Androgynes can be said to have the gender identity of both a man and a woman -- or neither. That is to say, some androgynes consider themselves to be bigendered in that they identify with both traditional genders, while others see their identity as more of a synthesis and consider themselves to be agendered, as in "other" or "none of the above." Some go as far as to call themselves "gender outlaws."

Not All Androgynous People Are Androgynes
Contrary to popular belief, having an androgynous appearance does not necessarily make a person an androgyne. Many transsexuals are transsexual without looking at all like the opposite sex, and many androgynes are androgyne without looking the part. The word androgynous can apply to both superficial and psychological characteristics, whereas the word androgyne pertains almost specifically to gender identity, not to looks. Just as all squares are rectangles but not all rectangles are squares, all androgynes are androgynous but not all androgynous people are androgynes.

Many psychological androgynes do not understand who and what they are. They may agonize for years, wondering how it is that they can feel androgynous if they don't look that way. Self-perception and self-identification are often problematic for androgynes.

Androgynes Are of a Non-Polarized Gender
The term transgender has led all too many androgynes to confusion in that generally, transgender is polarized into transvestite crossdressers on one side and transsexuals on the other. Setting the two categories up as opposites implies that transgender individuals either want to wear the other sex's clothes or else want to change their anatomy to match the other sex. Androgynes, however, may well want to wear the other sex's clothing, but they do not want to change their anatomy to match the other sex -- at least, they don't think about having the other sex's anatomy often enough to resolve to do much about it. What differentiates androgynes from transvestites and transsexuals is that they do not identify fully with either masculinity or femininity: they are either somewhere in the middle of the two or consider themselves to be something else entirely. Other names for androgyne (Greek for man/woman) are nongendered, agendered, epicene, gender gifted, intergendered (a term coined by intersex people), ambigendered, two-spirited, bigendered, the third gender, the fourth gender, the third sex (a misnomer, really) -- and gender outlaw. Related but non-synonymous terms would be hijra, neutrois, and transgenderist.

The terms transgender and queer are way too inclusive and vague (although the terms gender variant and genderqueer are helpful). The term transgender is misleading in that is implies that one changes from one gender to another, which in the case of androgynes generally does not apply: once an androgyne finds themselves, masculinity and femininity often cease to be polarities for them. At first, a newly self-aware androgyne may feel a need to explore those aspects of their self that they have long repressed due to peer pressure or self-censure, but once indulged sufficiently, they tend to be re-incorporated into the individual's identity -- which is a solitary persona. But of those that do alternately identify as men and women, it could be argued that they are only transgender relativistically, because when they are in their natural state, not thinking about their place along the gender continuum, they are transcending gender.

Sex, Sexual Orientation, and Gender Identity are Three Different Things
It is important to recognize that sex, sexual orientation, and gender identity are three separate and different things. Sex denotes one's gonadal makeup. One can be male, female, or intersex (previously called hermaphrodite). Sexual orientation reflects the sort(s) of person to whom one is attracted for sexual purposes. One can be attracted to males, to females, to intersex people, to any combination of the three -- or asexual. (The terms heterosexual, homosexual and bisexual are problematic for the intersexed because the intersexed are neither male nor female.) Gender identity refers to how one views oneself. A person can consider themselves to be a man (masculine), a woman (feminine), or androgyne (man/masculine and woman/feminine simultaneously, or neither).

Although sex and gender identity are two very different things, it is interesting to note that androgyny (a/k/a intergender) can be seen as the psychological counterpart to intersex. Androgynes can be both genders, while intersex(ed) folks can be both sexes. Basically, sex refers to what's between your legs, while gender refers to what's between your ears.

Androgynes Have No "Gender-based Opposite"
It has been observed that since androgynes do not have a "gender-based opposite," they are therefore attracted to each other/one another. While this may be generally true, the fact remains that there are male androgynes, female androgynes, and intersex androgynes, and among these three groups, there are heterosexuals and asexuals, so the idea of androgynes being attracted to each other does not necessarily entail homosexual or bisexual attraction. (In fact, many reincarnational theories hold that souls have no gender, i.e. they are neither male nor female -- and that's why we reincarnate as both men and women -- so it can be argued that mutual attraction between androgynes is deeply spiritual.)

Androgynes Can Be "Tranny" and "Trannychaser" at the Same Time
The transgender community's common nickname for transgender individuals is "tranny," which mostly refers to TVs (TransVestites) and TSs (TransSexuals), yet also applies to transgenderists and androgynes. The community's (largely derisive) term for those who are attracted to trannies is "trannychaser," and it is indeed a problematic term in that it seems to imply something akin to "skirtchaser," "ladykiller," "ladies' man," or other such "womanizer," but it has been euphemized as "admirer." The trouble is, there is no term as yet for those who have romantic feelings for transgender people. That said, a partner of a transgender individual is referred to as a TGSO (TransGender's Significant Other).

Interestingly, the lack of a gender opposite frees androgynes to be both "tranny" and "trannychaser" (aka "admirer") simultaneously. For example, when a male androgyne who doesn't know that sie is androgyne finds hirself attracted to drag queens and/or transsexuals and yet daydreams of dressing like a woman hirself, the nature of this attraction can be very frustrating because drag queens and transsexuals are generally attracted to single-gendered straight males. The androgyne mistakenly thought that sie was attracted to TG (transgendered) males when, in reality, sie is not attracted to TG males per se but to androgynes like hirself. In many such cases, it turns out that an androgyne male is more attracted to androgyne females than to TG males and/or androgyne males. Some androgyne males are attracted to bisexual women and identify as "male lesbian" (or "guydyke"). Likewise, there are androgyne females attracted to bisexual men who identify as "female gay man" (or "girlfag").

Some Transsexuals are Not Really Transsexual, but Androgyne
In truth, there are quite a few transsexuals who are androgyne but don't realize it due to pressure from within themselves and from without -- in the transsexual community -- that after SRS (Sex Reassignment Surgery, formerly called a "sex change operation") they are "supposed to be" heterosexual for the first time in their lives -- since they are now presumably the sex into which should have been born in the first place. The fact that some people use the term GRS (Gender Reassignment Surgery) only complicates matters. (Genital Reassignment Surgery would be a better use of the three letters). It is important to note that transsexuals tend to buy into the "binary" categories of man and woman even more than straight, non-gender-conflicted people do, and that should serve as a warning to androgynes.

Gender is a Spectrum or Continuum
In the transgender community, a lot of lip service is given to gender being a spectrum or a continuum, but in reality, it is little more than a politically correct thing to say. This is because most transsexuals (and some transvestites as well) try to avoid contact with and otherwise invalidate androgynes since they view androgyny as an intermediate stage in transsexual transitioning and have a dislike for it. The irony is that androgyny might well be numerically the largest component of a gender spectrum or continuum (or sphere).

Basically, transgenderists are those who choose to live cross-sex full time without body modification (SRS or hormones), transsexuals are those who choose to live cross-sex full time with body modification, and androgynes are those who choose to live in the "in between" world rather than "cross-sex" -- and body modification (or lack of body modification) is irrelevant to the definition. Some androgynes do opt for HRT (Hormone Replacement Therapy) in order to enhance their otherwise not-as-androgynous appearance, but they are in the minority.

If You Think You Are Androgyne, You May Well Be
How does one ascertain whether or not one is androgyne? It really boils down to what you yourself think. Do you consider yourself to have masculine character traits and feelings as well as female character traits and feelings to the extent that you feel repressed if you deny either of these for any extended period of time? If so, you may well be androgyne. It is a common truism that no one is entirely masculine or entirely feminine, yet androgynes' feelings of identity run deeper than this. For them, it is not a vestigial or incidental overlap of traits, but an inherent, vital component of their being. There are several online tests for gauging gender identity, but this site does not endorse them because it has been argued rather convincingly that the tests are skewed and deeply flawed. Nevertheless, these tests can be helpful in giving people at least something to go on in their quest to find themselves.

For female androgynes, it is often difficult to distinguish between "tomboy," "androgyne," "butch," and "F2M" because society's proscriptions against relatively masculine presentation and/or traits have relaxed over the years, as have injunctions against wearing clothing of the opposite sex. When a gender variant female does not think of hirself as being androgyne, sie may nevertheless be androgyne; hir reference points and nomenclature come from a different place. In truth, androgynes of any sex often do not know of the term androgyne and so settle for the terms transgender, genderqueer and/or gender variant.

Androgynes May Be the Invisible Majority of the Transgender World
There are many, many androgyne people in the world -- many more than anyone currently realizes -- because they are not easily quantified due to the fact of the vagueness of their nomenclature: no one seems to be able to agree on what to call them. Although androgynes may prove to be the invisible majority of the transgender world, they are not acknowledged as such. Not only are the talk shows unaware of them, but most androgynes themselves are not aware of who or what they are. Much has been written and said about people who want to change their clothes or change their sex now, but very little research has been conducted on androgynes, who really don't want to change anything except how they are perceived by the single-gendered majority.

In a way, androgyny is a double-edged sword. Those born with androgynous looks -- especially if they are not androgynes -- often wish that their gender presentation was unambiguous so as to not be teased, harassed or mistaken for the opposite sex, while androgynes born without androgynous looks (i.e. psychological androgynes) often wish that their gender presentation was markedly ambiguous so as to convey outwardly what they feel inwardly. It amounts to a case of the metaphorical grass being greener on the other side of the fence, where psychological androgynes and mono-gendered androgynous folk envy each other for attributes they do not share. Some fortunate souls, however, both look and feel androgynous.

Androgynes Are Not Men -- Nor Are They Women
It has been argued 1) that androgynes are not transgender(ed) in that they do not change their gender but remain the gender they were born with, 2) that they are not transvestites nor crossdressers in that they do not dress like the opposite sex but sometimes dress like both sexes at the same time, and 3) that if one defines androgyne as someone who identifies as being half man and half woman, that could be interpreted as meaning that the person is neither man nor woman since 50% is an insufficient percentage to define something either way. Curiously, if one were to combine these three contexts, an androgyne would not be a man, woman, TV (TransVestite), CD (CrossDresser), TG (TransGender and/or TransGenderist), nor TS (TransSexual). What they are, however, is uniquely unified human beings of a sort that has been revered in many cultures for many centuries. More than 100 Native American tribes consider(ed) them to be shamans and call them two-spirits.

Are Genderqueers Androgyne?
There is the possibility that the term genderqueer might replace androgyne. Like transgender (TG), genderqueer (GQ) can be an umbrella term or it can refer to something more specific. Generally, TG can be said to encompass gender variants from TV to TS, or else it can be used as a synonym for TS. Similarly, GQ can be said to encompass everything from TV to TS, or else it can be used to describe non-binary gender variants specifically. In contrast, androgyne paradoxically plays off the gender binary by both affirming and refuting it simultaneously. That is why androgynes can be both man and woman or neither. Genderqueer -- as a term -- however, cannot "have its cake and eat it, too" in such a fashion.

What other non-binary gender variants are out there besides androgyne, hijra and neutrois? That's a hard question to answer. Some GQ and gender variant folk argue that there are as many genders as there are people. In the not-so-distant future, androgyne could come to be seen as an antiquated term insofar as it incorporates the Greek and Latin roots for man and woman while genderqueer is an overtly political term which strives to transcend and dismantle the gender binary both in concept and practice. And yet, androgyne has an inherent specificity that genderqueer does not because it directly addresses the man/woman dialectic and could therefore prove to be more durable in the long run.

 

This is a really interesting thread. There's some great definitions but I suppose that those that are not part of the community can become totally confused. It's becoming increasing hard to convince some people that intersex means "not female" and "not male". Xxy, for instance is an intersex condition because, obviously, it's not "xx" nor is it "xy".

However your poster that implies that transgender is an umbrella term couldn't be farther from reality. Intersex conditions don't come under that umbrella.

 

There are so many different terms it amazes me sometimes! Gender is interesting.