Transgenderism, transsexualism,
gender dysphoria, & gender identity

Causes of, & cures for, transexuality
according to conservative Protestants

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Background:

As noted elsewhere in this section a transgendered individual is a person who experiences Gender Identity Disorder (a.k.a. GID and Gender Dysphoria), Their genetic gender is different from their perceived gender. Some describe themselves as a woman trapped in a man's body, or vice versa. Others view themselves as having a male brain in a female body, or vice versa.

According to the current thinking of human sexuality researchers and therapists, gender dysphoria has a biological cause that kicks in before birth. The main current theories is that it is caused by fetal exposure to abnormal androgen levels, or is genetically determined at conception by the structure of one's DNA. Scientists have linked gender dysphoria to fingerprint patterns and left-handedness -- two factors established in the fetus within 15 weeks of gestation, in the second trimester. They have also linked it to a longer version of the androgen receptor gene in the DNA of transsexuals. Therapists have a zero success rate in curing GID. However, surgeons can change the person's appearance through surgery to make their appearance conform more closely to their perceived gender.

Most conservative Protestants base their beliefs about transsexuality directly on their firm beliefs in gender and in particular on the role of men and women in churches, the family and the workplace. These are derived from their interpretation of key Bible passages and themes. They conclude that GID is chosen and that a transgendered person can change their perceived gender to match their genetic gender through prayer, therapy and being "saved."

The nature, cause, and cure of gender dysphoria:

Many Christian fundamentalists, other evangelicals, and other religious conservatives strongly believe that both homosexuality and transsexuality are "lifestyles" that are chosen by the individual. Some believe that dysfunctional family dynamics and/or traumatic childhood experiences may be contributing factors to their decision to become gay or transgendered. ₁

Exodus International (EI) describes their organization as: "The largest information and referral ministry in the world addressing homosexual issues." They describe gender dysphoria as a form of personal gender "confusion." EI implies that the transgendered person is uncertain about their gender and that they can modify their perceived gender to match their genetic gender through prayer, ministry efforts, therapy, etc. These beliefs are in direct conflict with beliefs that we have gleaned from personal conversations with transsexuals and from information about gender dysphoria in texts, in personal web sites by transgendered persons, and from medical studies. These sources conclude that no such confusion exists. They state that transgendered individuals are very much aware of both their genetic genderand their perceived gender. They are quite aware of the conflict between the two. They are quite certain that they cannot change the latter. It is the certainty that generally causes them extreme level of distress, and often suicidal ideation.

The EI article:

	Expresses concern that increasing numbers of youth will "lose years of their lives to the bondage of gender confusion."
	States that the movements to achieve equal rights for gays and transgender persons are controlled by Satan who is attempting "to distort God's image on earth and claim the souls of His children."
	Stresses that religious conservatives should love transgendered and other "broken people."
	States that freedom is to be found in truth: the implication is that a transgendered person can resolve the conflict between their genetic and perceived genders through prayer and therapy.
	States that one's genetic gender is one's "true gender;" one's perceived gender doesn't really count. 2

	The Christian Institute is a conservative Christian organization serving the UK. They believe in the inerrancy of the Bible and are pro-life. In their briefing about transsexualism: They define the gender of a person with gender dysphoria according to their genetic gender. Thus, a male-to-female transsexual (MTF) is still considered a male. Most transexuals, human sexuality researchers define their gender according to their perceived gender. A post-operation male-to-female transsexual (MTF) feels like a female, looks like a female, considers themselves a female. Most consider her to be a female and refers to her as "she." Concerning sex reassignment surgery (SRS), they write: "A painful operation cannot solve the mental dysfunction." Actually, the intent of SRS is not to make a MTF transsexual believe that they are a male. It is to change their physical appearance so that their perceived gender matches their appearance. They believe that God created humans so that everyone is either male or female. They write: "The human body is therefore a good gift of God and essential to the human person. But the transsexual sees their body as an accident, as denying their 'true self' which resides in their mind and emotions." A transsexual who tries to change their gender as listed in their birth certificate is  being "... fundamentally dishonest. You cannot alter a fact of history."   They believe that it is not: "... reasonable to assume that other biological factors, e.g. brain structure, cause transsexualism. There is little evidence for this and the plea 'I was made this way' was abandoned by biologists long ago." This seems to conflict with the findings of medical researchers who have found links between gender dysphoria and both fetal exposure to abnormal androgen levels  and DNA.   The Christian Institute concludes: "The Christian response to a transsexual, as with any other person, should be prayer, care and counsel as for any with psychological difficulties and where necessary repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. (Acts 20:21)" 3
	Charles W Socarides (1922-2005) was a past president and co-founder of the National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexuality (NARTH). He was a member of the Greek Orthodox church. Socarides was very highly respected by fundamentalist and other evangelical Christians -- particularly those working in the reparative therapy field. NARTH is a very small professional mental health association with about 1,000 members. Unlike the much larger professional associations, such as the American Psychiatric Association (APA) that has over 150,000 members, NARTH believes that homosexual behavior is a disorder, that it is chosen, and can be changed. Socarides believed that there was a close link between homosexuality and gender dysphoria. He asserted that "... transsexualism does not constitute an independent diagnostic category." Viewing this simplistically: there is no such thing as transsexuality. For example, a person who believes themselves to be a MTF transsexual was born a genetic male, continues to be a male, has homosexual feelings, and is overwhelmed with guilt at their desire to have sex with another male. This extreme, unbearable conflict causes them to become convinced that they are actually a female desiring heterosexual sex. Many seek sex reassignment surgery so that they can look, feel, and act like a female heterosexual without overwhelming guilt. Socarides felt that such surgery "... constitutes a sanctioning of the transsexual's pathological view of reality and cannot resolve the underlying conflict." In Socarides' view, only reparative therapy can do that. 4,5
	Warren Throckmorton, associate professor of psychology at Grove City College -- a conservative Christian institution -- in Grove City, PA. He is also a past president of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He advocates that when pastors counsel transgendered individuals that the latter must be told that their desires don't align with the Bible. He states that:

"Desires must be brought into alignment with biblical teachings, but it will be inconvenient and distressful. ... Even if science does determine differentiation in the brain at birth, even if there are prenatal influences, we can't set aside teachings of the Bible because of research findings." ₆

Family Research Council (FRC): This is a fundamentalist Christian group that actively opposes abortion access, equal rights for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transsexuals, etc. Their vice president for policy, Peter Sprigg, said:

"The pressure for acceptance is ultimately a challenge to the authority of Scripture and a violation of natural law. In the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender movement there is a tendency to continually push the envelope in trying to demand the acceptance of what most people perceive to be unusual behavior." ₇

Curing transsexuality:

Most religious and social conservatives, conservative denominations, and conservative para-church groups believe that prayer and counseling can end their gender dysphoria by harmonizing the individual's genetic gender with their perceived gender.

This is a logical conclusion from their beliefs about God. If God hates homosexual and transsexual behavior, and if God is omnipotent, then he can -- and will -- respond to their prayers, eliminate the gender dysphoria, and allow a transgendered person to accept their genetic gender as their true identity. In support of this belief, they can cite many biblical passages that describe other types of prayers answered by God.

However, most transgendered persons, medical researchers, and therapists argue that the above beliefs do not agree with reality. Consider that:

	In previous decades, the suicide rate among adult transsexuals was close to 50%, and is still extremely high. The suicide rate, anxiety, and depression felt by so many transsexuals is one strong indicator that transsexuality is not a choice and is not changeable.
	All types of therapy have been tried and failed to resolve gender dysphoria.
	Young children often become aware of their gender dysphoria as young as 24 months-of-age, more than a decade before puberty and sexual attraction kicks in.

These suggest that gender dysphoria cannot be "cured" by any means other than changing the person's physical appearance to match their perceived gender. To attempt counseling or to rely on prayer might possibly alleviate anxiety and depression, but runs an unacceptable risk of ending up with a dead transsexual.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

1. Rama Kant Mishra, "Research reveals biological basis of Trans-sexuality," Ground Report, 2008-OCT-27, at: http://www.groundreport.com/
2. "Gender Identity," Exodus International, undated, at: http://exodus.to/
3. "Transsexualism - mind over matter," The Christian Institute, 2002-FEB, at: http://christian.org.uk/
4. Charles W. Socarides, "The Desire for Sexual Transformation: A Psychiatric Evaluation of Transsexualism, Abstract, American Journal of Psychiatry, (1969); 125; Pages 1419 to 1425.
5. Gordene O. MacKenzie. "Transgender Nation," Bowling Green State University Popular Press, (1994). Read reviews or order this book safely from Amazon.com online book store Rated at 4.7 stars out of 5 by Amazon customers.
6. John W. Kennedy, "The Transgender Moment," Christianity Today, Page 3, 2008-FEB, at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/
7. Ibid, Page 4 at: http://www.christianitytoday.com/

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