On the occasion of the latest events in Greece regarding the rights of same-sex couples, I thought I would take the opportunity to clarify concepts and terminologies, confusing and undefined for many. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, the well-known DSM, as gender dysphoria and formerly known as gender identity disorder, is defined as the strong discrepancy and mismatch between social and biological gender identity. People who experience this turmoil within themselves cannot relate to their gender expression, especially when it needs to be identified within traditional, rigid social binary roles that move between male or female roles, causing cultural stigmatization. Gender dysphoria is not related to a person's sexual orientation as one can be gay, lesbian and it is also important to recognize that not everyone who is transgender or gender non-conforming experiences gender dysphoria. There are many biological and genetic factors related to heredity, genes, chromosomes and hormones during pregnancy. I will quote at this point some concepts that may enlighten many of you and you can speak without offending, showing respect and acceptance. Transgender: A term for those who do not feel they identify with the gender they were assigned at birth, i.e. their biological sex. Transsexual: Term used for those who have permanently changed their body, either through surgery or hormone therapy. Trans: An "umbrella" term that includes transgender and transsexuals. Gender Nonconformity: A term for gender nonconformity, a condition in which a person does not exhibit the social and psychological characteristics of their biological sex. Travesti - Crossdresser: A term that describes those who wish to wear clothes of the opposite sex. The term drag queen describes transvestites who dress up as such for entertainment and entertainment. Cisgender: A term describing a person whose gender identity aligns with the traditional meaning of the gender they were assigned at birth. Non binary: A term used by some people whose gender identity is neither girl/woman nor boy/man. Sex assigned at birth: Traditional designation of a person as "female," "male," or "in-between" based on anatomy, external genitalia and internal reproductive organs, and/or biology, sex chromosomes, and hormones. Due to feelings of distress and stigma, many people with gender dysphoria isolate themselves socially to avoid uncomfortable situations, which contributes to low self-esteem, school aversion, or even giving up trying and avoiding relationships.
While some people manage to overcome the symptoms of distress on their own, psychotherapy is often very helpful and complementary in achieving personal discovery, a sense of relief, euphoria and well-being. Gradually through psychotherapy, a comfort with themselves occurs, they get used to dealing with strong emotions that may have arisen from challenges related to peers or social stigma and exclusion. Man is a complex organism, and so is the analysis of his behavior. A person's gender is not a choice, it comes from somewhere deep inside at a level of brain function that is not subject to change, although there are factors that can lead to variation in a person's perception of their gender.
Somehow awareness and information increase the possibility of understanding and accepting the diversity of people, their needs, their nature, crystallizing more and more the perception that we are all equal and at the same time so different.
