Does Anyone Know

[qualdy.livejournal.com]

I am having a minor surgery on 02/18/2008. I know I am supposed to stop estrogen at least a week prior, but is it also advised to discontinue spiro as well? I will be checking with my doctor when they call to confirm my surgery, but I was curious if anyone knew.

Thanks!!!! Have a GReat week.

xoxox
monica

[Controversial] The Scientific Evidence Regarding HBS

[phoenixvtam.livejournal.com]

The HBS movement cites recent research on the hypothalamus as definitive "proof" of their assertion that transexuality is a physical intersex condition. Divorcing myself from the issue and speaking purely as a scientist, this is either ignorant or dishonest because the papers they cite are in fact only preliminary pilot studies.

The 1997 study by Zhou, Hofman, Gooren, and Swaab ("A Sex Difference in the Human Brain and its Relation to Transsexuality") was based on a sample group of six male-to-female transexuals, normalized against a control group of presumed heterosexual males, homosexual males, and presumed heterosexual females.

The 2001 follow-up study by Kruijver, Zhou, Pool, Hovman, Gooren, and Swaab ("Male-to-Female Transsexuals Have Female Neuron Numbers in a Limbic Nucleus") was based on the same sample group of six male-to-female transexuals plus one female-to-male transexual, normalized against a control group of 9 presumed heterosexual males, 9 homosexual males, and 10 presumed heterosexual females (26 of the controls were stated have been the same as the previous study).

The 2006 German study ("An Examination of the use of fMRT for diagnosing Transexuality") was based on twelve male-to-female transexuals, normalized against a control group of twelve heterosexual males and twelve heterosexual females.

I don't often "pull rank", but scientific research is something I can speak with considerable authority on as a former Caltech student -- and it's crystal clear that although the studies are legitimate, the conclusions the HBS advocates are trying to draw from them are completely unjustified. Arguing that the treatment of all transexuals should be radically redefined on the basis of this is absurdly premature, and further arguing that the only reason doctors don't toe the HBS line is that they are "are too busy to keep up with the most recent research about the brain and its relationship to gender" is frankly ludicrous.

In other words, the scientific evidence at this point is completely inconclusive, and anyone who claims otherwise is unequivocally wrong.

Dealing with Doubts

[vampire-muse.livejournal.com]

Hello,
Lately this week, I have been swamped with all these doubts about how I see and percieve myself.  After starting therapy and feeling like I was headed in the right direction discovering my feminine identity and letting it out, doubts have sort of surfaced.  Most of the doubts surfaced shortly after I came out to my mother over a phone conversation or two in which she seemed fine with what I had to say at first, but then suspicious and almost accusatory a week later.  Basically, she was asking me, "Why are you dealing with this now?  Why do you feel you have to do anything?" - in reference to therapy and my feelings of wanting to deal with these identity issues finally after 20-plus years.  I think she has gotten into my head.  If she seems to doubt my sincerity and the seriousness of what I am trying to finally face, I begin to doubt myself too.  

It's basically like this:  "Am I sure that I am doing the right thing?  How do I know for certain that I am a girl in a male body?  How do I know that this isn't just a phase of some kind?"

I think my Mom is looking for some sort of evidence out of me- something concrete that I can't readily provide.

Have any of you faced these kinds of doubts or situations before?  How did you folks deal with these feelings of doubt?

David/Sara

[Controversial] Thoughts on Transvestites and Transexuals

[phoenixvtam.livejournal.com]

( You're about to view content that the poster has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

(no subject)

[steph-cd.livejournal.com]

Hey all. I have some questions about HRT. I'm currently only out to my mother and a few choice friends, but I know that I want to transition. The only problem is that my father who has the money in my family is putting me through college, as my parents are separated.

I've heard so much good about being on estrogen like clearing acne, redistributing body fat, softer skin, and building of breast tissue. But I've also heard a lot of scary stories about blood clots and other problems with certain products.

My plan was to start premarin on my own at small doses until I'm done with college at which time I'd be more willing to talk to my father. What do you all think?

Portland, OR: Gender Meeting at PSU's QRC.

[ink-feathers.livejournal.com]

I should have posted this a few days ago but life has a way of getting in the way of things on your to do list.

I am a volunteer at the Queer Resource Center at Portland State University and I'll be helping C. Morgan, the educational coordinator of the QRC, with the facilitation of a meeting to discuss gender issues within the community and ask for support from others who would like to help out. Our plan is to make this a bi-monthly meeting with one meeting discussing issues within the Portland transgender and gender queer community and the other meeting to be more of a social gathering to talk about whatever.

If you are living in the area and would like to attend the meeting it will take place at...

12:00pm on Wednesday, February 13th in the Conference room in the Queer Resource Center, Room 401 in The Smith Memorial Student Union Building at 1825 SW Broadway Portland, OR.

Information regarding the QRC can be found at http://www.qrc.pdx.edu

So come hang out and help if you'd like. All are welcome. :)

~Nikki~