HIV experts call for declassification of transgenderism as mental illness

[ccharles000]

An international meeting of experts on HIV has called for transgenderism to be reclassified as a medical condition, rather than a mental illness.

The second International Experts' Meeting on HIV Prevention for MSM, WSW and Transgenders took place in Amsterdam in early November with 130 experts from around the world.

A report, called Moving from Intentions to Action, has now been published and calls for change in how trans people are treated.

It argues that trans people would then escape the stigma of mental illness that is frequently attached to them.

The report said: "Gender identity variance (transgenderism) should be reclassified from its current classification as a mental health disorder in the American Psychiatric Association’s Diagnostic and Statistical Manual and the World Health Organisation’s International Classification Of Diseases (ICD).

http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2009/12/29/hiv-experts-call-for-declassification-of-transgenderism-as-mental-illness/

[saltpoint]

1. The Truth takes its time getting to Terre Haute but it does eventually

arrive.

Why even those smarty-pants psychiatrists are making adjustments.

[enlightenment]

2. That would be wonderful.

Maybe insurance would then cover the cost of surgery (something a lot of transpeople can't afford but desperately need).

[unabelladonna]

4. declassify as a mental illness

but mandating medical insurance to cover surgery is a direct contradiction. if it isn't a mental illness it's akin to some women having plastic surgery for self esteem issues (which is not covered).

[Zenlitened]

5. Wow.

Educate yourself, would you?

[unabelladonna]

6. i understand what you're saying

but transitioning into another sex is a pretty drastic move...and believe it or not...i actually have known, and liked a few transgendered people. even after reassignment life is difficult. however, i've never met a female to male and can only base my observations on a few mmale-female. they'v had to deal with ridicule even in liberal old NYC.

[enlightenment]

9. If it is a physical condition, then it should be considered

corrective - not cosmetic surgery. As it stands, a mental condition does not need a physical correction, so surgery isn't covered.

If, for example, a person born with female organs transitions to a male, he will begin to take testosterone. He will need (not want, although desire is also a component) to have his female reproductive parts removed. It's not only useless to have them, it is also dangerous - since both the uterus and ovaries continue to produce some level of hormone and are also bombarded with a male hormone that increases the risk of developing cancer. That doesn't even take into account the difficulty of living normally as a male - how many men need to have pap smears?

For an MtF, the issue is less about physical danger but more about the ability to live a normal life as a female, since most women aren't packing penises - are they?

It's not about self-esteem; it's about what is necessary, and if it is a physical condition then the surgeries needed to complete the physical transition are part of the process, not an equivalent to Botox or a tummy tuck.

On edit: since you commented that you've never met an FtM, let me say that this: my son is a transman - so I have some experience with the process, the issues, and the problems associated with it. I'm not talking off the top of my head, in other words.

[GreenPartyVoter]

3. I applaud the call because I agree with their stance, but I think there should be

efforts made too, (by people in general) to kill that mental illness stigma.

Signed,

Bipolar and not ashamed

[blogslut]

7. How would that work?

When a person is born in the wrong body they suffer until the body is changed. What would be the term for the person who has yet to have the surgery?

[RedCappedBandit]

8. How about we adress the stigma of mental illness?

:shrug:

edit: that being regardless of whether transgenderism is a medical or mental condition

[eppur_se_muova]

10. WTF?? That hadn't been done already? nt