Chapter 5

Lecture Notes

Transgenderism is an inclusive category. Some cultures recognize that sex and gender are not always divided along binary lines, such as male and female or homosexual and heterosexual. Transgender is currently the umbrella term for those who do not conform to traditional notions of gender expression. In North America, a paradigm shift has occurred that challenges the male/female dichotomy of gender. The transgender phenomon embraces the possibility of numerous genders and multiple social identities. This paradigm shift regarding gender has implications for the clinical management of gender identity disorder. Treatment is open to the possibility of affirming a unique transgender identity and role.