Transsexuality, gender identity, etc.

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Definitions:

The term "gender identity" refers to a person's perception of their own gender.

The vast majority of adults are cisgendered: their gender identity matches their genetic gender. That is:

	Persons with female genitalia, ovaries, and DNA containing XX chromosomes have a female genetic gender. They regard themselves as females.
	Almost all males have male gentilia, XY chromosomes in their DNA, and perceive themselves as male.

However, a very small minority of persons are transgendered. They typically have a genetic gender that is opposite of their gender identity. They are sometimes described as having a female brain and a male body, or vice-versa. Transgendered persons are considered to have gender dysphoria. Most therapists use the term Gender Identity Disorder (GID). Conservative Christians often use the term "Gender Confusion Disorder" apparently to imply that it is easily cured.

The term "transsexual" is often used to refer to a transgendered person who has engaged in hormone treatments and, optionally sexual reassignment surgery, so that their body more closely resembles their sexual identity.

Topics discussed in this section:

	Introduction: Religious beliefs about gender; some Bible verses
	Bible verses from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)
	Bible verses from the Christian Scriptures (New Testament)

Related essays:

	The roles of women and men as expressed in the Hebrew Scriptures, and the Epistles in the Christian Scriptures (New Testament).
	A glossary of transgender/transsexual terms

Copyright © 2009 by Ontario Consultants on Religious Tolerance
Latest update: 2009-FEB-01
Author: B.A. Robinson

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