The newly revised Diagnostic
and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) probably
won’t find its way on your 2013-must-read-list. The manual, however, marks a milestone
for transgender individuals and advocates, as the term gender identity disorder will be replaced with gender dysphoria[1].
Arguably, the change is meant to break down the stigma of mental illness and
discrimination against transgender, but it is also an eerily familiar path that
some had travelled before.
Homosexuality was initially removed from the
DSM in 1973 but a new diagnosis, ego-dystonic homosexuality, was
subsequently created for the manual[2]. It took over a decade
later for all homosexual related conditions to be completely lifted[3] and for homosexuality to
be accepted as a normal human experience. Today, equality and civil rights for
homosexuals are still few far and between; and for the transgender community
the new term indicates that the struggle for recognition has only just begun.
Some governments have taken steps to remove discrimination
against transgender by relaxing the procedures of changing gender
classification on legal documents. The UK[4], US[5] and Australia[6] allow their citizens to
change the gender classification on their passports on the basis of a letter
from medical practitioner; sexual reconstruction surgery is not a pre-requisite.
In Argentina gender can be changed without declaration or medical evidence, and
New Zealand is currently looking into shifting to a similar position[7].
This means well but it also means transgender individuals have
to conform to the general classification of gender, male or female, to avoid
discriminations. Why should they compromise to the society’s idea of ‘normal’,
and why couldn’t there be a gender category for transgender and everything under
its umbrella? In Australia, intersex individuals, those who do not identify
with the sex assigned to them at birth, can opt for gender option ‘X’ on their
passports[8]. But we’ve got to ask
ourselves if labeling is the right approach to promote tolerance and acceptance or will it invite further discrimination since the target is out in the open.
While some tyrannies have to be fought with revolution and
global movement, some can be toppled with early education at homes, schools and
beyond. Discrimination and negative perception is the kind of tyranny that can
go by unnoticed but its effect to society is no less damaging. Struggles for freedom
and equality must come from the masses just like what we’ve seen recently with
the Arab Spring and the Global Occupy movement. Each of us can play a role in
educating others and ourselves, and with the use social media we are more
connected and empowered than ever. You’d be surprised what a tweet, a hash tag or
a facebook status post can achieve, and on that note here’s one from me – Say
‘Yes’ to tranny and ‘No’ to tyranny.
[1] DSM-5 Development
(http://www.dsm5.org/Pages/Default.aspx)
[2] Facts
About Homosexuality and Mental Health (http://psychology.ucdavis.edu/rainbow/html/facts_mental_health.html)
[3] Ibid.
[4] Gender Recognition Act
2004 (http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2004/7/crossheading/applications-for-gender-recognition-certificate)
[5] New Policy on
Gender Change in Passports Announced (http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2010/06/142922.htm)
[6] Australian
Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
(https://www.passports.gov.au/web/sexgenderapplicants.aspx)
[7] Transgender
passport changes possible (http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/7211722/Transgender-passport-changes-possible)
[8] Australian
Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (https://www.passports.gov.au/web/sexgenderapplicants.aspx)
