Gender Identity Disorder /
Transsexualism
Gender Identity Disorder, or Transsexualism, is a condition that seems
to be a phenomenon of today's society. There are varying assumptions made about
the causes of gender identity problems or transsexual tendencies. However, there
is no substantiated evidence to indicate that transsexualism, where a person
feels they are trapped in the body of the other gender, is caused by one's
genes.
There have been many cases where psychological treatment - which looks at
environmental, social and behavioural patterns and the root causes for this
behaviour - has restored people to their original birth gender.
Transsexualism is different to intersex conditions, where people are born
with an indeterminate sex.
Christians need to approach this issue with wisdom, love
and compassion. There is no prescriptive 'formula' for dealing with transsexual
people or those who have gender identity problems. However, knowledgeable
counsellors and well informed psychiatrists are essential to the early stages of
recovery. We believe that people are not born in the opposite gender and that changing one's 'gender', by hormones or surgery, are not consistent
with the Bible. The church needs to affirm God's love for all
humanity. Care needs to be given in how we approach
the situation. We must give them our support and assistance and provide
them with access to professional counselling. Ultimately, however, it is God and the Holy Spirit who
will heal and restore. We personally know several people who have actually undergone
surgery to change their gender and have reverted to their original sex
- often through God's grace and appropriate counselling.
Pages on this
issue
The tabs on the left cover a range of matters
related to this topic.
Articles
Australian Legal cases
* Re
Brodie (May 2008 - hormone treatment for 12 year old)
* Re Alex (2004)
* Re Kevin (2001)
*
AB (2007 - birth certificate change whilst still married - refused)
* Grace
Abrams (2007 - passport in new gender - whilst married - went to
AAT - granted)
Organisations
See list at left .
. . Author: Jenny Stokes | Modified: 31 July 2008 |
