Gilda

I've mentioned in passing that I have a sister who is a MTF (male to female) transsexual, which is to say that she was born physically male, but has undergone a variety of therapeutic and medical treatments to take on the female role and become physically female. She has the first phase of her SRS (sex reassignment surgery) tomorrow. I've observed and talked to her and helped her through her transition as best I could, and in the process I've done a huge amount of research into MTF sexuality. I know a bit about the FTM (female to male) type also, but have no personal experience with it. In addition to knowing my sister, I've met and talked to several of the transwomen (transsexual women, another term for a MTF) in her group, one of whom is a tenant of ours. My sister transitioned (changed her social sex) in her teens, and my friend is in the early stages of the process in her mid to late 30's.

Though I am not transgendered myself, I do have access to resources related to transsexuals, including my experience with my sister, my MTF friend, and my therapist, who is a specialist in the treatment of people with problems related to sexuality, including the transgendered. Most questions I can answer myself, the rest I can run by my sister or my friend or my therapist, or can easily find the answers through one of my research sources.

I have run this past my sister and my friend, and they both said it's fine to talk about them so long as I don't reveal too much personal information.

So, if you have questions or comments, please feel free to fire away. I've seen far too many ignorant comments and assumptions made about transsexuals, and would like to do my part to help clear things up and maybe do a little educating.

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I'm against ending blackness. I believe that everyone has a right to be black, it's a choice, and I support that.

~Steven Colbert