Hi there visitor since 6 August 1998.
Changing Gender
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If the way we think or feel is the way we associate with one particular gender, we may like to alter our whole appearance to fit that gender. Some people like to wear the clothes of a specific gender to express the parts of ourselves we associate with that gender.
This is a guide for those who wish to change gender, permanently or occassionally.
We perform our gender in the way we talk, move and dress. We may have performed the same gender role for so long it feels like the only natural option. It is, however, a learned performance.
Just as actors learn new parts by studying those whose behaviour they wish to portray, we can learn different ways to talk, move and pose.
The actual average difference in pitch between the voice ranges of men and women is only three notes. Gender is signified more by differences in modulation of pitch and volume, and language and tone used.
Those who wish to expand their range of performance may benefit from acting classes, amateur theatre, or speech or movement therapy.
Changing shape
[For M2F] Male crotch bulge can be removed by tucking the balls back up into the body, tucking the penis in along the perineum, and holding it all in place with a pair of ladies knickers with good leg elastic and one size too small.
[For F2M] Male crotch bulge can be created with a home made or manufactured prosthesis.
Breast shape can be reduced by strapping down with camerbands, or disguised with baggy shirts.
Breast shape can be added with a padded bra, or disguised with loose tops other desired bulges or curves can be added or changed with padding, props or clothing.
Body shape can also be changed with gym work and the food we eat.
Gender signifying clothing and props may be made at home or bought from ordinary stores, op shops, speciality stores, or mail order.
Hair removal can be done at home, or in beauty salons (but this can be expensive). Ask peers for practical advice!
medical alterations
Male to female hormone therapy can feminise body shape, reduce facial & body hair growth, and encourage breast development over a period of years, but can also make sexual arousal (erection) painful.
Female to male hormone therapy can masculinise body shape, encourage facial & body hair growth, masculinise the voice box, and encourage clitoral development, but can also cause acne and thinning head hair.
Male and female hormone therapies can also cause dramatic mood swings, depression, agression, loss of concentration, reduced mental capacity, sterility, loss of sex drive & abilities, and damage liver, kidney, heart and blood circulation. Because of these serious effects on physical & mental health & well being, initial prescription for hormones should be from a psychiatrist and an endocrinologist (hormone specialist), and ongoing therapy regularly monitored.
Breasts can be surgically enlarged or reduced. Bags of saline can be implanted, but implants may burst, cause hardness, or distorted shape. Silicone imlants are banned in australia due to cancer concerns. Enlargement or reduction breast surgery can seriously damage nipple sensitivity.
People who seek cosmetic surgery often have other underlying issues that need to be adressed first. This is particularly true for people who seek genital restructure surgery. It is most inportant to identify and address serious underlying issues, rather than focus on short term solutions with long term problems.
Genital restructure surgery is irreversible, very expensive, often leads to serious medical complications, and has serious impacts on the ability to enjoy sex. Of the small minority of transgender people who undergo genital restrucutre surgery, only a few report being fully satisified with the results. The vast majority of people living full time in the other gender stay genitally intact.
The two statitics immediately above are from the Australian National Transgender Lifestyles and HIV/AIDS Risk Report 1994.
It's ironic that our public identity is often based on assumptions about what's between our legs, when it's precisely this that must never be shown in public!
Legal situation in New South Wales (Australia)
"Transgender" is defined as including people who are living as, seeking to live as, or have lived as "the alternative gender" (or for intersexuals, "either gender") whether or not any surgical alteration is made or sought.
It is illegal to discriminate on the ground of "transgender" (or homosexuality, sex, marital status, age, ethnicity, or disability). Anti Discrimination Board (02) 9318 5444
Names can be changed by common usage, but many people use a formal deed poll, at the Office of Land Titles (02) 9228 6666. This can be used to change other documents. change of sex on NSW birth certificate is only possible for people who have had genital surgery. (NB: This isn't needed to effect change of name on birth certificate.) Registry of births, deaths & marraiges: (02) 9228 8988. Marriage is a federal not state affair, and change of sex cannot be recognised for marriage purposes.
It is not illegal to cross dress.
Many gender separations are not a matter of law, but of convention. E.g., it is quite legal for a male to female trany with no medical alterations to use the ladies toilet as long as you don't pee in the sink! It is, however, illegal to discriminate against someone on transgender grounds in this state.
Linked Pages
click to visit index:
Bi-Gendered:
an alternative to polarised or exclusive genders
words and pictures, male
and female: tranys in comic books
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