Denver Film Festival: “Tales of the Waria”
05/11/11 16:18
The Denver Film Festival is going on now in Denver November 2, 2011 through November 14, 2011.
Tales of the Waria, a film being shown at the Starz Denver Film Festival, documents the lives of transgender women who live in Indonesia. Waria is the term for biological males who transition and live as women in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim nation. The film by Chinese-American filmmaker Kathy Huang surprises our Western notions of Muslim intolerance and our assumptions about gender, gender identity, sexual identity, and for that matter transgenderism as we know it in United States.
Kathy Huang, director of the film, informed me that Tales of the Waria will be having its Southwest debut at the Starz Denver Film Festival.
Tales of the Waria is a feature-length documentary that follows a community of transgender women in Indonesia, the world’s largest Muslim country, as they search for romance and intimacy. At times comical and at times heartbreaking, the film uncovers a world that not only defies our expectations of gender and Islam, but also reveals our endless capacity as human beings to search for love -- whatever the consequences.”
This summer, the film screened to sold-out audiences at Frameline in San Francisco and Outfest in Los Angeles. It also won the Audience Choice Award at the Asian American International Film Festival.
Tales of the Waria be playing in Denver at the Starz FilmCenter on:
Saturday, November 12, 9:45pm
Sunday, November 13, 3:15pm
Tickets can be ordered from the Denver Film Festival website.
Website: www.thewaria.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/thewaria
Live YourSelf!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
Diagnosing Gender in DSM-5 UPDATE: Gender Dysphoria
05/11/11 12:53
Diagnosing Gender in DSM-5 UPDATE: Gender Dysphoria
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Version 4 (DSM-IV) is in the process of being updated by the American Psychiatric Association. The diagnosis, Gender Identity Disorder, is being reviewed and most certainly will be re-written in part with the input of professional organizations, such as WPATH, and important transgender advocates. Since my original post in March 2011 , the DSM-5 Working Group has made important changes in the proposed diagnostic label and text of the current Gender Identity Disorder. The previous proposal was to change Gender Identity Disorder to Gender Incongruence. The current proposal os for the term Gender Dysphoria, a term that is intended to be non-stigmatizing.
The most recent proposal for changes in the Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis were recently published on the DSM-5 website here.
Gender Dysphoria (in Adolescents or Adults)**
A. A marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months duration, as manifested by 2* or more of the following indicators: [2, 3, 4]**
1. a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics (or, in young adolescents, the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [13, 16]
2. a strong desire to be rid of one’s primary and/or secondary sex characteristics because of a marked incongruence with one’s experienced/expressed gender (or, in young adolescents, a desire to prevent the development of the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [17]
3. a strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender
4. a strong desire to be of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
5. a strong desire to be treated as the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
6. a strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
B. The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or with a significantly increased risk of suffering, such as distress or disability**
Subtypes
With a disorder of sex development [14]
Without a disorder of sex development
See also: [15, 16, 19]
Specifier**
Post-transition, i.e., the individual has transitioned to full-time living in the desired gender (with or without legalization of gender change) and has undergone (or is undergoing) at least one cross-sex medical procedure or treatment regimen, namely, regular cross-sex hormone treatment or gender reassignment surgery confirming the desired gender (e.g., penectomy, vaginoplasty in a natal male, mastectomy, phalloplasty in a natal female).
Note: Three changes have been made since the initial website launch in February 2010: the name of the diagnosis, the addition of the B criterion, and the addition of a specifier. Definitions and criterion under A
An important perspective on the use of psychiatric diagnosis with people who express their gender differently comes from trans people themselves. And, like every community, their is a diversity of opinion on psychiatric diagnosis within the trans community. Psychiatric diagnosis has been used to harm, for example, reparative therapies for trans youth. However, trans men and women also recognize that respected medical organizations are supporting medical treatments for trans people, for example hormone therapy and gender affirming surgery, as medically necessary. Treatments that are legitimatized as medically necessary are increasingly being covered by health care insurance in the United States and by national health insurance in other countries. A legitimate, scientifically valid and reliable diagnosis is necessary for trans related medical treatments to be covered by health insurance. The film Diagnosing Difference by Annalise Ophelian represents the diversity of opinion on psychiatric diagnosis within the trans community.
Check out the trailer for the film Diagnosing Difference below, and the website www.diagnosingdifference.com.
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders Version 4 (DSM-IV) is in the process of being updated by the American Psychiatric Association. The diagnosis, Gender Identity Disorder, is being reviewed and most certainly will be re-written in part with the input of professional organizations, such as WPATH, and important transgender advocates. Since my original post in March 2011 , the DSM-5 Working Group has made important changes in the proposed diagnostic label and text of the current Gender Identity Disorder. The previous proposal was to change Gender Identity Disorder to Gender Incongruence. The current proposal os for the term Gender Dysphoria, a term that is intended to be non-stigmatizing.
The most recent proposal for changes in the Gender Identity Disorder Diagnosis were recently published on the DSM-5 website here.
Gender Dysphoria (in Adolescents or Adults)**
A. A marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and assigned gender, of at least 6 months duration, as manifested by 2* or more of the following indicators: [2, 3, 4]**
1. a marked incongruence between one’s experienced/expressed gender and primary and/or secondary sex characteristics (or, in young adolescents, the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [13, 16]
2. a strong desire to be rid of one’s primary and/or secondary sex characteristics because of a marked incongruence with one’s experienced/expressed gender (or, in young adolescents, a desire to prevent the development of the anticipated secondary sex characteristics) [17]
3. a strong desire for the primary and/or secondary sex characteristics of the other gender
4. a strong desire to be of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
5. a strong desire to be treated as the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
6. a strong conviction that one has the typical feelings and reactions of the other gender (or some alternative gender different from one’s assigned gender)
B. The condition is associated with clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of functioning, or with a significantly increased risk of suffering, such as distress or disability**
Subtypes
With a disorder of sex development [14]
Without a disorder of sex development
See also: [15, 16, 19]
Specifier**
Post-transition, i.e., the individual has transitioned to full-time living in the desired gender (with or without legalization of gender change) and has undergone (or is undergoing) at least one cross-sex medical procedure or treatment regimen, namely, regular cross-sex hormone treatment or gender reassignment surgery confirming the desired gender (e.g., penectomy, vaginoplasty in a natal male, mastectomy, phalloplasty in a natal female).
Note: Three changes have been made since the initial website launch in February 2010: the name of the diagnosis, the addition of the B criterion, and the addition of a specifier. Definitions and criterion under A
An important perspective on the use of psychiatric diagnosis with people who express their gender differently comes from trans people themselves. And, like every community, their is a diversity of opinion on psychiatric diagnosis within the trans community. Psychiatric diagnosis has been used to harm, for example, reparative therapies for trans youth. However, trans men and women also recognize that respected medical organizations are supporting medical treatments for trans people, for example hormone therapy and gender affirming surgery, as medically necessary. Treatments that are legitimatized as medically necessary are increasingly being covered by health care insurance in the United States and by national health insurance in other countries. A legitimate, scientifically valid and reliable diagnosis is necessary for trans related medical treatments to be covered by health insurance. The film Diagnosing Difference by Annalise Ophelian represents the diversity of opinion on psychiatric diagnosis within the trans community.
Check out the trailer for the film Diagnosing Difference below, and the website www.diagnosingdifference.com.
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
WPATH Symposium Attendies Going GENDER ROGUE!
26/09/11 09:57
It didn’t take long before attendees of the 2012 WPATH Symposium at the Emory University Conference Center went GENDER ROGUE and converted gender segregated bathrooms into all inclusive gender bathrooms. Do-It-Yourself signs were pasted over the traditional “Men” and “Women” signs at the bathroom entrances. Men entered the the women’s bathrooms and women entered the men’s bathrooms. I have to say that a strangely satisfying feeling of purposeful transgression warmed my Soul as I entered the Mens Room walking past the men and the urinals headed for the stalls. Not surprisingly, there was no uproar, no one took down the all inclusive signs, and no police were ever called. How refreshing!
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
WPATH Symposium 2011 Opens
25/09/11 13:04
WPATH Symposium 2011 Opens Today
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) opened today on the campus of Emory University. The symposium was opened by Vin Tangpricha MD PhD withe the symposium theme of Transgender Beyond Disorder: Identity, Community, and Health.
I am excited to be here in Atlanta on the campus of Emory University attending WPATH 2011. Some of the expected highlights include the unveiling of The Standards of Care Version 7. I am interested to find out if there is a statement about the pathologizing diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. I have heard that there may be a relaxing of the readiness and eligibility criteria for accessing hormone medical treatments. These criteria have become a barrier to accessing competent care, spawning a burgeoning black market for sex hormones and the dangers of medically unsupervised self-administration of hormones.
A second issue was introduced by the Chair of the Southern Comfort Conference , Alexis Dinyovszky, which was held conjointly with WPATH this year. Lexi announced that her Transgender membership have been calling for a certification for trans competent counselors and therapists. She has formally requested the WPATH membeship to develop a certification program for therapists to remedy the problem of trans clients understanding mote about trans issues than their therapists. While many therapists are willing to see transgender clients, there is a competency gap in their understanding and training about Transgender issues. We’ll see what the hubbub is around the symposium on the certification issues.
A third issue is the concern about the proliferation of electronic medical records and how medical organizations will handle the issue of Transgender persons’ preferred name, sex, and sexual orientation, not to mention what diagnosis may be visible within the medical record to other employees of the health provider. A WPATH EMR Taskforce has formed and will be meeting for the first time later today. I will serve on this committee which meets today, so stay tuned.
I also have to say it’s nice to see many members of the trans community in attendance from the Southern Comfort Conference. An exciting beginning to the WPATH 2011 Symposium!
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
The World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH) opened today on the campus of Emory University. The symposium was opened by Vin Tangpricha MD PhD withe the symposium theme of Transgender Beyond Disorder: Identity, Community, and Health.
I am excited to be here in Atlanta on the campus of Emory University attending WPATH 2011. Some of the expected highlights include the unveiling of The Standards of Care Version 7. I am interested to find out if there is a statement about the pathologizing diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder. I have heard that there may be a relaxing of the readiness and eligibility criteria for accessing hormone medical treatments. These criteria have become a barrier to accessing competent care, spawning a burgeoning black market for sex hormones and the dangers of medically unsupervised self-administration of hormones.
A second issue was introduced by the Chair of the Southern Comfort Conference , Alexis Dinyovszky, which was held conjointly with WPATH this year. Lexi announced that her Transgender membership have been calling for a certification for trans competent counselors and therapists. She has formally requested the WPATH membeship to develop a certification program for therapists to remedy the problem of trans clients understanding mote about trans issues than their therapists. While many therapists are willing to see transgender clients, there is a competency gap in their understanding and training about Transgender issues. We’ll see what the hubbub is around the symposium on the certification issues.
A third issue is the concern about the proliferation of electronic medical records and how medical organizations will handle the issue of Transgender persons’ preferred name, sex, and sexual orientation, not to mention what diagnosis may be visible within the medical record to other employees of the health provider. A WPATH EMR Taskforce has formed and will be meeting for the first time later today. I will serve on this committee which meets today, so stay tuned.
I also have to say it’s nice to see many members of the trans community in attendance from the Southern Comfort Conference. An exciting beginning to the WPATH 2011 Symposium!
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD Licensed Psychologist
What is the Beta Nu Omega Binder Project?
06/03/11 13:07
What is the Beta Nu Omega Binder Project?
There’s this guy here in the Denver area, Kyle, who is starting something that really sounds cool. Its a binder exchange for the FtM Community connecting new and used binders with guys who need them. Kyle tells me that there is a fundraiser in the works, so stay tuned and I will post it when I find out about it.
The Binder Project is currently run by Beta Nu Omega (BNO), a non-collegiate fraternity for FTM trans people, genderqueer people, and others on the FTM spectrum living in the Denver Metro Area. BNO provides support to trans men and other trans people assigned female at birth through social events and other networking opportunities for members.
Check out The Beta Nu Omega Binder Project website.
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD
Licensed Psychologist
There’s this guy here in the Denver area, Kyle, who is starting something that really sounds cool. Its a binder exchange for the FtM Community connecting new and used binders with guys who need them. Kyle tells me that there is a fundraiser in the works, so stay tuned and I will post it when I find out about it.
The Binder Project is currently run by Beta Nu Omega (BNO), a non-collegiate fraternity for FTM trans people, genderqueer people, and others on the FTM spectrum living in the Denver Metro Area. BNO provides support to trans men and other trans people assigned female at birth through social events and other networking opportunities for members.
Check out The Beta Nu Omega Binder Project website.
Live Yourself!
Rachael St.Claire PsyD
Licensed Psychologist