Growing Awareness of the Transgender

When the civil rights advocate, musician, and author Chastity Bono  announced earlier this year she was changing her gender and transitioning to a man, it sparked greater awareness of being transgender.   There have since been more in-depth discussions about what it means to be transgender in schools, in homes, and throughout the media.  One of the most common similarities among the transgender is the feeling from a very early age that they were born the wrong gender.  In their mind, they identify themselves with being the opposite sex, are uncomfortable with their gender-specific body parts, and feel trapped in their own body. Such feelings are not about their sexuality but their self-identity. This can be particularly difficult as young people enter puberty and their sexual characteristics become more pronounced.

While many transgender people suffer in silence, it is becoming more common for them to come out to friends, family, and society. This is part because the more mainstream dialogue about this condition. Some courageous children and teens are coming out privately to their parents or even publically to their school teachers and classmates. While it can be difficult to obtain peer acceptance, transgender youth often report they're relieved and happy to live in a way that's consistent with their true self- identify. It's recommended that parents of transgender children seek therapy for them – not to try to change their feelings but to help them cope with the reactions of others and find peace within themselves.  Such young people benefit from as much support as possible.

Some transgender are comfortable just living their life as the opposite sex.  However, others decide to physically change their appearance.  This can mean taking hormones and other transgender medicine or surgically altering their body. Before anyone can medically transition, they must first speak with a therapist and receive a diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder.  They should also undergo their transition during medical supervision to minimize unwanted side-effects and avoid possible health risks. Health Insurance often does not pay for all aspects of gender transition and many plans don't cover any associated costs.  Since hormone therapy can be expensive, some transgendered people are purchasing their drugs through an online pharmacy.  Electronic drug stores such as www.pacificonlinepharmacy.com carry medication such as Conjugated estrogens (Premarin®) and Cyproterone acetate and ethinyl estradiol (Diane 35 ®) and make it available at substantial discounts.  For some transgender people seeking hormone treatment, being able to buy their pharmaceuticals online can make all the difference in obtaining drug therapy and becoming more comfortable living in their own skin.