Many children who identified as the opposite sex before going through puberty, later realize they are very much the right sex. If they had decided to become transgender based on their adolescent behavior, it would have ruined their lives. MANY girls are "tomboys" - my mother was one of them. Had she been born today, it's possible she would have decided to be "one of the boys" forever, when she became very much a woman after going through puberty. Boys sometimes behave in a feminine way when young, but after going through puberty they become very much a man, and masculine. PLEASE don't force ignorant opinions on children, who then have their lives ruined by becoming transgender, or gay for that matter. Allowing children to become transexual is child abuse.

It is all very well saying be happy as a butch woman or an effeminate man but for many transgender people that physically hate their own body and would rather kill themselves than be forced to stay as they are. If transgender individuals are allowed to for better words put their puberity on hold and then be allowed at the appropriate age to transition there is little to distinguish them from anyone assigned that gender at birth in fact many of the Mtf are very pretty and many ftm put many blokes to sham in both looks and build. Yes there are people for whom transition is totally the wrong thing and the forced changes currently done by Iran and previously South Africa are totally wrong, Those charged with gate keeping the process must ensure that those who need to transition do so in a speedily manner and those who should not be doing it get the right help.

I think the whole issue is way out of balance with the usual view of society. It's difficulty to know what's going on and where it will end up. At this point to my perspective it's not worth giving any opinion--not a public one anyway. sign--elderly female.

The argument here seems to be - I'm not a Trannsexual so there for no one else is. And the headline is so easy to pull apart. An operation for any condition that the person operated on is not suffering is going to be harmful. But if the person is suffering from that condition, the operation is going to be benefitial. That gay men in Iran are having inappropriate surgery forced on them is NOT a reason for denying appropriate surgery for others. And as a supporter of Trans people who isn't taking path himself, I have lost times of the number of times I've heard people say "I don't see what the fuss is about, I don't have a problem with my gender".. I KNOW THAT means you are NOT Trans. Other people are. Deal with it.

I'm not saying I completely agree with Julie Bindel, but she does make excellent points. Although some LGBT rights supporters may feel instantly threatened by the points she makes, I would like it for some of you to take a moment and listen to them as they are certainly not discriminating against you in any way. I for one am an enourmous supporter of LGBT rights, but I have never understood why they are grouped together, as the first three initials represent sexual orientation while the last represents gender. They are two completely different things. The only thing that ties them together is the point made in this article. Gender Roles and Society Expectations. It's like one half of lesbians and gay relationships feel the need to portray the image of the opposite sex, as if to make their relationship feel 'normal' in the eyes of society. The same applies with transgender individuals. If you ask them what it is that makes them feel like they were born in the wrong body, in most cases you would find that it is because they want to behave 'like women' or 'like men' and that it rarely has anything to do with their actual genitalia or lack of specific genitalia. Femininity and masculinity are two ever-changing social constructs that are slowly disappearing and the behaviour that is expected from women and the behaviour that is expected from men is slowly becoming meaningless and mushed together. In time, the labels that western society feels it needs to make sense of difference in this world will disappear, and people won't have to identify as lesbian, trans, bisexual, they can just fall in love and behave in anyway they want, without having to endure painful surgery to feel that they can do that.

Its all very well agreeing with Julie but people struggle out there. Because of society. You may walk out the door easily but its not possible for all to feel that free and easy Have some compassion. The natrual order of sexulity must be put back in place. Thats all I am saying. Men have alwaya dressed up proof of this going back to stone age. They enjoyed that natrually perfectly well. Gay Bi men dont need this idiotic pressure to be hurt. What does the medical world really get out of this. Who allows the opps what is thier religious social attitude. Who benefits really?. Many people regret the un human opp they have spoken out?

In Iran the Gov pay for these divisive operations. Rather than allow sexy and wonderful gay or fem straight or bi men to be as they are. It is natrual that each sex has men or women who are Masculine in the middle and feminine. Both men and women have this natrually. All these groups have plenty of natrual admirers because its part of the natrual system So called turning men to women turns them into things non human. Makes them a target which I think aspects of society want especially religious society. Straight men who so called mutilate themselves may do so because they are scared to be gay or Bisexual or fem Men or Masculine Women. Loving same sex is powerful natrual going back thousands of years and IS mirrored in nature. A way to bond and love. There is no such thing as changing sex then suddenly becoming sexually into men because now you sort of look like a woman. The desire for men was there already. And the image of a woman allowed it to unlock or to feel comfortable. Nature create natrual she_ males born with both parts not a part missing Men are amazing as they are if you are effeminate go with it use it with flare. It is art and beautiful. In the past effeminate Men were regarded as high art and the thing of the day. Now you get Gym Handsome Gay Guys and nothing else seems to count. We need to grow the lgbt community to all natrual types. I used to be more feminine but it changed as I got older. I am happy as a gentle Gay man who works out I develop both sides. I like strong body n soft emotions as I am. I am hyper sensitive but thats ok Having the opp turns men into sexual fantasies operated on by those exact people. Who are the Surgions? What do they truly think about open sexuality? I think that is wrong. Men have a G spot men are already the third sex natrually. Men can be dominated or dominate already be with Men or Women. A mans ass is powerfully totally sexual zone. The opp maybe religious society pushing men to fit in yet mock. Even if you think you are a woman what is difference between liking men as a gay man? Or Bi Man. Gay men can mix with both sides and enjoy both sides as they are by dressing up sometimes. Same with Fem Straight or Bi men Men are an alternative to Women. And Women are to men. Its always been like this. My theory is in religious books the story of Soddom was an issue with that particular group of people. The system of the day wanted to start controlling people violence was rife. Sexuality was a good excuse no one said stop controlling. I understand some people claim in wrong body . I say you are in right body but you need time to get used to it and work play with it. Society shows little support so one feels alone or isolated in thier own category alone To me Trans means deep inside expressed outside natrually thru behaviour voice tone and manner and dress style. Be a fem or camp man that is ok. Love the body treat it well.

2. Relation ships are so varied in reality but religion tried to change this religion is not spiritual it is social control. if your a straight guy or women. I suggest developing your self as you are. Attend assertiveness courses, try NLP, healing work shops and mediation. SGI Buddhism is accepting of who ever you are. I know that many straight women truly love feminine men and wish they had a partner who was more gentle loving and caring. For Masculine women ; I know many men look for a strong partner and some straight men want a pal not a feminine women so a Masculine women helps keep him in check. Gay men want men and again the varying levels of Masculine and Feminine determine the match its all natural Bisexual Trans people are still trans inside and outside without a operation. Human being feel this so a partner will know who you are if they are looking for that you will both know if you like each other. So Nature has it all worked out it is all there already as it is. Feminine or Masculine in the middle its all there for all of us to enjoy what ever you like in the adult world; Love, friendship. its who matches our being as they we are. Please think carefully because levels can change. When I was younger and more feminine, this began to change as I got older as if the Masculine wanted a chance to see the light. What if you already had that operation? its the operation that is not natural not the beautiful people. There are things you can do like wearing some famine things like nail vanish or accessories. some men are so famine everyone can see this without an operation. Someone will like you as you are that is life , there are millions of people on the planet they are not all religious people who are lost. You have a right to find yourself even if those other people choose to be lost. Dressing up now and then also might help but accepting your self as you are could help in the long term. Never nibs what society thinks please just be yourself in pre religious time Adult sexuality was left to be what it was and this should return.

Are you a woman in a mans body or an Effeminate man? I am not meaning any offence I am adding a new Holistic view to special people waiting to play your role as you are . Be special you are special already, please see this I thought a lot about this. I wonder if this issue might be about being happy to be an effeminate Man or Masculine Women. In society the effeminate man tends to find it difficult but does not have to. It is sexy and brilliant to be an effeminate man. Men are attracted to this it is part of the order of sexuality and natures choice. Gay and Bi men even straight men find this very erotic and charming. centuries ago this was very sought after seen as High art and intelligence which it is as well as just being normal i think there is a old school attitude that gay men or effeminate men should then be women. This is wrong. nN one should ever mutilate themselves for this issue. I wonder if the operation should be banned? I have a strong fem side as a gay man and I work with it and enjoy it. I wear my skinny jeans and allow the Masculine side to work with the feminine side. People often say to me I have a good balance of both. I like mens clothes fashion and style and elegance and sex appeal I truly believe as a Buddhist and Holistic Man that you are meant to be a Masculine women if you are a women or a Feminine man if you are a man. This is what you naturally are. The gay scene can be a bit off with very fem men your either the Gym bade , straight acting or don't count. But this is men desperately trying to fit in also. the true gay behaviour and act on the more camp side if ok and is brilliant and has it natural admirers sexy and a breath of fresh air and fun and honest. Be your self and chance things; all minorities have had to fight so fight with true identity introduce this and be your self as you are it is beautiful. Yes it can make you a target because you act differently to the other men so what!. You are the art of men. if you have that horrible operation people can always tell and your become a sexual fantasy and more of a target. If you want to be a sex worker that is fine i guess that some people just want to live and be happy. All men have a g spot and men are very easily able to have sex naturally with a partner who is male via anal sex . it is all there to enjoy already In some countries they pay for these horrible operations rather than allow a gay man to be gay. This says it all. Leave the country and live in peace somewhere like Uk or USA Or Parts of Asia. I work out and develope that power but I am also very emotional and have very gentle emotions which I love and is a gift

I agree with Julie Bindel. Why is society so gender obsessed? I am me. I do not feel 'masculine' or 'feminine'; I feel like a person. Wear what you like, do what you like, love whom you want, be you. Surgery is not necessary for this. Male and female fashions in clothes and behaviour have changed countless times over the years. Develop your own and have the courage to withstand anyone who jeers at your choice.