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Gender Identity Disorder / TranssexualismGender 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 Articles Australian Legal cases Organisations |