Reformed transmedicalist here. I had spent years thinking I was being a better ally to my transmasc friend by adopting this stance. The irony is that it stopped me from coming out, or from even questioning my own identity, for years and years. This fueled my imposter syndrome to the point where I convinced myself I was the only person capable of tricking myself, or "faking it for attention." After all, I could not remember any childhood narrative, I didn't have any dysphoria of which I was aware, and of course I didn't identify as the opposite of my AGAB. It wasn't until I came out and accepted myself that I was able to step back and find all the signs in retrospect. There is a problem with gatekeeping and fake-claiming in many different marginalized communities. I've noticed it especially in disabled and neurodivergent groups. There is objectively no merit to these claims of faking it, because for every supposed faker one catches, a hundred more questioning people are going to be driven further back into the closet. Everything, medical or otherwise, starts with self-assessment before one comes forth seeking professional help.
I literally had no clue of the history. Shame on me. Thank you for your donating to the Trevor project and for your citations and awesomeness. 🤗🩷🤍🩵 Happy Nee Year!
For me, I've realized that the discomfort I've felt much throughout my life is social dysphoria. I have more aspects to myself where I feel euphoria vs. dysphoria when I do certain things. One of the biggest obstacles I struggle with is the feeling of imposter syndrome or the feeling that I'm somehow appropriating the label of trans if I use it for myself, mainly due to transmed views. It's the belief that no one is trans unless they have dysphoria, have transitioned in all ways possible, and are binary. I've seen no shortage of this view on the internet, as well as when nonbinary peolle are attacked and told nonbinary isn't real. This has made it really difficult to accept and own the label because I feel like I'm not valid enough to use it because I don't fit all of the "correct criteria."
I know a number of people who experienced only social dysphoria as your describe. Our interactions with others and how they relate to us is an important part of the human experience. When others relate to us in ways we don't identify with, it can lead to discomfort, withdrawal, masking/concealment. Non-binary people experience this a lot. :-(
@@DrJamieTalks All those words you listed - discomfort, withdrawal, masking/concealment, are all things that have been a pervasive influence throughout most of my life. It causes a lot of distress for me. But I still have those thoughts that say, "You don't get to call yourself trans, because you haven't done xyz, or you haven't transitioned into a binary gender so therefore you aren't really trans".
Fascinating video. The thing I took away from this, is that whilst things aren't perfect for people undergoing transition, they are moving in the right direction. We should celebrate that, and continue to push for more improvements in care and support so that everyone who wants to transition can benefit in the future.
I think for those with the privilege and means, transition is more accessible. However, barriers exist for many others. We need to break down those barries.
@DrJamieTalks Yes - everyone who wants to transition should be afforded the right to do so regardless of wealth, race, location etc... I just hope all your subscribers get the help they need AND deserve.
I can't help but wonder if this was in relation to my question the other day. Whatever the case i am very happy to see you covering this subject and bringing up Julia Serano's wonderful work on discrediting this pseudoscientific idea. Love your work Dr Jamie. 💓💞💕
a very interesting video! i have not seen an in depth analysis of this- only pro and con. i would really like to better understand this. given our current medical/insurance system would we not expect those with severe dysphoria to be more privileged to receive medical treatment in a limited resource system like we have? is there another identity or group where members seek medical treatments without being diagnosed as having medical symptoms and being diagnosed with a condition or disease? there must be some of us that have such severe gender incongruence that it affects social and occupational function. does it then rise to the level of disorder?
What you describe actually gets to the heart of the problem with gatekeeping and transmedicalism. I can only use myself as an example; I came out at age 49 after many decades of simply knowing I didn't seem to fit where I was supposed to. I didn't feel like a woman or anything, I just knew I wasn't one of the guys. It was as if they held a big meeting where the rules were distributed, but I never got my invitation. I related better to girls (and later women) all through my life but that didn't mean I felt like I WAS one. I was called gay starting in the third grade and all through my life people assumed I was (since I never had any relationships). When I finally came out, it was as "some flavour of nonbinary". It was only after exploring my identity for over a year that I noticed my mode of presentation was drifting in a consistently feminine direction and I felt no desire to return the way I'd come. About 18 months in I felt that I wanted to at least try hormone replacement--largely for the psychological/emotional effects. I was mostly indifferent to any possible physical effects. But as changes DID happen, I started to finally feel at home in my body in a way I never had before. As the physical changes became apparent I found myself revelling in my changing body. Three years after that initial coming out, I dropped the 'they' and embraced my identity as a woman. And THEN I realized I actually had a sexuality: I was a lesbian. There are so many aspects of my transition that would've barred me from care in the old model. I was never attracted to men. At my age, I am quite unlikely to pass as cisgender. My resources are limited. I had no particular dysphoria, only a sense that I didn't fit where I'd been put. I still feel no pressing need for any surgical interventions. The old system envisioned a single path for all transfeminine people, and if you didn't fit the profile you were rejected out of hand. Despite all that, I know with 100% certainty that I would not be here now had I not been able to start this journey with supportive and affirming resources and healthcare providers, even when I felt I was flailing around in the dark. I had to do a lot of WORK to find my true self, where the gatekeepers demand full certainty before they're even willing to talk to you. I should also say that my existence before definitely affected my social and occupational functioning: I left my last full time job way back in 2013 because I felt so terribly out of place in that office environment. I felt like an alien, and every moment I felt like I was going to be detected as an imposter. As for social life, well, I didn't have one. Period. By 2019 my free time was largely spent lying on my back marvelling at what a waste of oxygen I was. Yes, resources (especially for surgery) are limited, and even in jurisdictions that implement the informed consent model do more gatekeeping for surgery than they should. But the thing is, no one who doesn't actually feel a strong need for such interventions tends to seek them out. And that's fine. But if/when the time comes that I feel that need, I will have access to those services--as should we all. In my jurisdiction at least, wait times are only improving, which implies that people are being dealt with more efficiently, rather than a backlog building up due to a nonexistent glut of people who don't REALLY need the service. While I still need to get letters from two medical providers indicating a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, it's a largely routine process. Funding approval apparently takes less than a month. Waits for surgery are 'officially' around 18 months, but if you are able to be flexible I've had numerous friends get in on a cancellation MUCH faster. Because even after getting the process well underway, people still do change their minds. Which is also just fine. This is all complicated stuff and everyone should be in charge of their own journeys.
@@paige.landers I really appreciate you sharing your story. I didn't medically transition until 51. I had no relationships before that. I had sex one time (I also identified as gay, albeit a poorly functioning one) and it was hugely disappointing. I think that had I been able to stand therapy I would have gotten to the discovery that I was a trans woman. I did attempt social transition in my early 20s but quickly detransitioned from family and social pressures. Like you I eventually got there and finally know what it is to be happy and content in my body. I still think that the medical model needs to be reconsidered, but not removed. I want insurance to cover my care. It has not. I have used every penny I have and put myself deeply into debt to finance my transition. I'm not sure what alternative there is without calling our care medically necessary. While it would be nice not to be considered broken by society, I would rather have them pay to "fix" me than not at all. Maybe I'm just making this into an either/or when there is another path to consider?
Thanks for sharing all of this. I was only superficially aware of much of this. I really need to read Julia Serrano (and probably Judith Butler as well).
I still don't quite understand the difference between gender incongruence and dysphoria. I myself lived 40 years as a male, hated my body, cross-dressed in secret and hated it even more because my body was too ugly to fit into female clothes. But I still was a male, a gym nut with short hair, wanting to make my voice as deep as possible, and loved girls. Later I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and started transitioning with all my passion as if this was the only chance for me to survive. Now two years in and I'm happy like never before. But have I ever experienced dysphoria or was it just incongruence? I still believe one has to feel themselves in the wrong body somehow in order to be trans and not just have a fetish called autogynephilia. Because with autogynephilia you may as well just be a crossdresser or a femboy without the need to transition. I guess, that still makes me a transmedicalist but I'm happy to discuss and probably change my mind.
People with gender incongruence may still experience some aspects of dysphoria, for example social dysphoria in terms of how others relate to them. The difference is often in severity. For example, I know a few non-binary people who have no body dysphoria, but they don't feel like their assigned sex and they are uncomfortable when people relate to them as that sex. I hope this example helps.
@@DrJamieTalks Well, the rate of transitioning is also very low (compared to people who never transition) - everything is relative. It's important to keep an open mind.
Thanks for this video A book that I think could add to this discussion is Miquel Misse's The Myth of the Wrong Body. I didn't exactly find myself in agreement with the author but I think it deserves attention for its critique of transmedicalism. 🏳⚧✊💌💓
Reformed transmedicalist here. I had spent years thinking I was being a better ally to my transmasc friend by adopting this stance. The irony is that it stopped me from coming out, or from even questioning my own identity, for years and years. This fueled my imposter syndrome to the point where I convinced myself I was the only person capable of tricking myself, or "faking it for attention." After all, I could not remember any childhood narrative, I didn't have any dysphoria of which I was aware, and of course I didn't identify as the opposite of my AGAB. It wasn't until I came out and accepted myself that I was able to step back and find all the signs in retrospect.
There is a problem with gatekeeping and fake-claiming in many different marginalized communities. I've noticed it especially in disabled and neurodivergent groups. There is objectively no merit to these claims of faking it, because for every supposed faker one catches, a hundred more questioning people are going to be driven further back into the closet. Everything, medical or otherwise, starts with self-assessment before one comes forth seeking professional help.
Lovely comment! I'm so happy you found your identity!
I literally had no clue of the history. Shame on me. Thank you for your donating to the Trevor project and for your citations and awesomeness. 🤗🩷🤍🩵 Happy Nee Year!
Happy New Year! Stay tuned for more content!
For me, I've realized that the discomfort I've felt much throughout my life is social dysphoria. I have more aspects to myself where I feel euphoria vs. dysphoria when I do certain things. One of the biggest obstacles I struggle with is the feeling of imposter syndrome or the feeling that I'm somehow appropriating the label of trans if I use it for myself, mainly due to transmed views. It's the belief that no one is trans unless they have dysphoria, have transitioned in all ways possible, and are binary. I've seen no shortage of this view on the internet, as well as when nonbinary peolle are attacked and told nonbinary isn't real.
This has made it really difficult to accept and own the label because I feel like I'm not valid enough to use it because I don't fit all of the "correct criteria."
I know a number of people who experienced only social dysphoria as your describe. Our interactions with others and how they relate to us is an important part of the human experience. When others relate to us in ways we don't identify with, it can lead to discomfort, withdrawal, masking/concealment. Non-binary people experience this a lot. :-(
@@DrJamieTalks All those words you listed - discomfort, withdrawal, masking/concealment, are all things that have been a pervasive influence throughout most of my life. It causes a lot of distress for me. But I still have those thoughts that say, "You don't get to call yourself trans, because you haven't done xyz, or you haven't transitioned into a binary gender so therefore you aren't really trans".
Fascinating video. The thing I took away from this, is that whilst things aren't perfect for people undergoing transition, they are moving in the right direction. We should celebrate that, and continue to push for more improvements in care and support so that everyone who wants to transition can benefit in the future.
I think for those with the privilege and means, transition is more accessible. However, barriers exist for many others. We need to break down those barries.
@DrJamieTalks Yes - everyone who wants to transition should be afforded the right to do so regardless of wealth, race, location etc... I just hope all your subscribers get the help they need AND deserve.
We're lucky to have you, Jamie.
Aw, thanks :-)
More great information. Thank you, and Happy New Year. 🫶🏾🌻🦋
Happy new year!
I can't help but wonder if this was in relation to my question the other day. Whatever the case i am very happy to see you covering this subject and bringing up Julia Serano's wonderful work on discrediting this pseudoscientific idea. Love your work Dr Jamie. 💓💞💕
I asked a question about transmedicalism as well. Maybe it's in the zeitgeist. ☺
which work of serano’s are you referring to in particular? i’d like to read it
@@madeline_alice Whipping Girl
@@madeline_alice Check out Whipping Girl.
Whipping Girl is the book
a very interesting video! i have not seen an in depth analysis of this- only pro and con. i would really like to better understand this. given our current medical/insurance system would we not expect those with severe dysphoria to be more privileged to receive medical treatment in a limited resource system like we have?
is there another identity or group where members seek medical treatments without being diagnosed as having medical symptoms and being diagnosed with a condition or disease? there must be some of us that have such severe gender incongruence that it affects social and occupational function. does it then rise to the level of disorder?
What you describe actually gets to the heart of the problem with gatekeeping and transmedicalism. I can only use myself as an example; I came out at age 49 after many decades of simply knowing I didn't seem to fit where I was supposed to. I didn't feel like a woman or anything, I just knew I wasn't one of the guys. It was as if they held a big meeting where the rules were distributed, but I never got my invitation. I related better to girls (and later women) all through my life but that didn't mean I felt like I WAS one. I was called gay starting in the third grade and all through my life people assumed I was (since I never had any relationships). When I finally came out, it was as "some flavour of nonbinary". It was only after exploring my identity for over a year that I noticed my mode of presentation was drifting in a consistently feminine direction and I felt no desire to return the way I'd come. About 18 months in I felt that I wanted to at least try hormone replacement--largely for the psychological/emotional effects. I was mostly indifferent to any possible physical effects. But as changes DID happen, I started to finally feel at home in my body in a way I never had before. As the physical changes became apparent I found myself revelling in my changing body. Three years after that initial coming out, I dropped the 'they' and embraced my identity as a woman. And THEN I realized I actually had a sexuality: I was a lesbian.
There are so many aspects of my transition that would've barred me from care in the old model. I was never attracted to men. At my age, I am quite unlikely to pass as cisgender. My resources are limited. I had no particular dysphoria, only a sense that I didn't fit where I'd been put. I still feel no pressing need for any surgical interventions. The old system envisioned a single path for all transfeminine people, and if you didn't fit the profile you were rejected out of hand.
Despite all that, I know with 100% certainty that I would not be here now had I not been able to start this journey with supportive and affirming resources and healthcare providers, even when I felt I was flailing around in the dark. I had to do a lot of WORK to find my true self, where the gatekeepers demand full certainty before they're even willing to talk to you. I should also say that my existence before definitely affected my social and occupational functioning: I left my last full time job way back in 2013 because I felt so terribly out of place in that office environment. I felt like an alien, and every moment I felt like I was going to be detected as an imposter. As for social life, well, I didn't have one. Period. By 2019 my free time was largely spent lying on my back marvelling at what a waste of oxygen I was.
Yes, resources (especially for surgery) are limited, and even in jurisdictions that implement the informed consent model do more gatekeeping for surgery than they should. But the thing is, no one who doesn't actually feel a strong need for such interventions tends to seek them out. And that's fine. But if/when the time comes that I feel that need, I will have access to those services--as should we all. In my jurisdiction at least, wait times are only improving, which implies that people are being dealt with more efficiently, rather than a backlog building up due to a nonexistent glut of people who don't REALLY need the service. While I still need to get letters from two medical providers indicating a diagnosis of gender dysphoria, it's a largely routine process. Funding approval apparently takes less than a month. Waits for surgery are 'officially' around 18 months, but if you are able to be flexible I've had numerous friends get in on a cancellation MUCH faster. Because even after getting the process well underway, people still do change their minds. Which is also just fine. This is all complicated stuff and everyone should be in charge of their own journeys.
@@paige.landers I really appreciate you sharing your story. I didn't medically transition until 51. I had no relationships before that. I had sex one time (I also identified as gay, albeit a poorly functioning one) and it was hugely disappointing.
I think that had I been able to stand therapy I would have gotten to the discovery that I was a trans woman. I did attempt social transition in my early 20s but quickly detransitioned from family and social pressures.
Like you I eventually got there and finally know what it is to be happy and content in my body.
I still think that the medical model needs to be reconsidered, but not removed. I want insurance to cover my care. It has not. I have used every penny I have and put myself deeply into debt to finance my transition.
I'm not sure what alternative there is without calling our care medically necessary. While it would be nice not to be considered broken by society, I would rather have them pay to "fix" me than not at all.
Maybe I'm just making this into an either/or when there is another path to consider?
Thanks for sharing. These questions and responses are really good!
Thanks for sharing all of this. I was only superficially aware of much of this.
I really need to read Julia Serrano (and probably Judith Butler as well).
Yes, read Whipping Girl!!!
I still don't quite understand the difference between gender incongruence and dysphoria. I myself lived 40 years as a male, hated my body, cross-dressed in secret and hated it even more because my body was too ugly to fit into female clothes. But I still was a male, a gym nut with short hair, wanting to make my voice as deep as possible, and loved girls. Later I was diagnosed with gender dysphoria and started transitioning with all my passion as if this was the only chance for me to survive. Now two years in and I'm happy like never before. But have I ever experienced dysphoria or was it just incongruence? I still believe one has to feel themselves in the wrong body somehow in order to be trans and not just have a fetish called autogynephilia. Because with autogynephilia you may as well just be a crossdresser or a femboy without the need to transition. I guess, that still makes me a transmedicalist but I'm happy to discuss and probably change my mind.
People with gender incongruence may still experience some aspects of dysphoria, for example social dysphoria in terms of how others relate to them. The difference is often in severity. For example, I know a few non-binary people who have no body dysphoria, but they don't feel like their assigned sex and they are uncomfortable when people relate to them as that sex. I hope this example helps.
Certainly has changed since my days
Hopefully for the better :-)
@DrJamieTalks I don't know there is alot to be said for having to put up with Millie's crap. Ha.
Do you ever talk about those who detransition? It's important to evaluate all aspects.
Regardless of what you might hear, the rate of detransition is very low.
@@DrJamieTalks Well, the rate of transitioning is also very low (compared to people who never transition) - everything is relative. It's important to keep an open mind.
Thanks for this video A book that I think could add to this discussion is Miquel Misse's The Myth of the Wrong Body. I didn't exactly find myself in agreement with the author but I think it deserves attention for its critique of transmedicalism. 🏳⚧✊💌💓
Thanks for the rec