From: vedwards@emr.ca (Victoria Edwards)
Date: Thu, 15 Sep 1994 07:52:16 -0400 (EDT)

> > Transvetite Transexual X-Dressing
> > 
> > Historically, gender roles have been assigned based on their
> > biological sex at birth. This meant a boy was to become a man, a
> > girl - a woman. These roles were also specific in how each gender
> > was to live and behave regardless of an individual's true inner
> > feelings.
> > 
> > With few historical exceptions, transsexuals and transvestites
> > found that they were not accepted by society because of these
> > rules. Even in recent times, these groups faced legal procecution
> > and institutionalization. Misunderstanding and prejudice was the
> > root cause.
> > 
> > Some Definitions:
> > 
> > Transexual: A person who psychologically identifies with the      
> >            opposite sex.
> > 
> > Transvestite: An individual who dresses in the clothes of the     
> >               opposite sex usually for emotional satisfaction and 
> >               psychological well being.
> > 
> >                              ___________
> >                              Transexual
> > 
> > Transexuals have a strong and persistent feeling that they are
> > living in the wrong sex. A male transexual has a need to live as
> > a woman. A female transexual has a need to live as a man. The
> > clinical term for transsexualism is gender dysphoria which means
> > that the gender identity enforced by society on the basis of
> > their biological sex at birth is difficult to bear and causes the
> > individual emotional discomfort and stress.
> > 
> > Typical transsexuals become aware of their feelings in early
> > childhood. But even at a young age many feel that acting upon
> > these feelings with family or publicly is not allowed. This need
> > becomes more desperate as the transsexual grows older. The exact
> > cause is not known, although recent evidence suggests that a
> > biological influence prior to birth in the womb may be the actual
> > cause. Sexual preference among transsexuals varies as it does
> > among the rest of society.
> > 
> >                          ___________________      
> >                            Transvestite
> > 
> > A transvestite (also referred to as a cross-dresser) is a person
> > who adopts the clothing and sometimes the behaviour of the
> > opposite sex. It is a public misconception that all transvestism
> > is done purely for the purpose of sexual arousal. Sexual
> > preference among transvestites varies as it does among the rest
> > of society.
> > 
> > A transvestite may experience a high level of anxiety if unable
> > to cross dress for an extended period of time. Some have a need
> > to dress for comfort or as a way of relaxation. For others it's
> > an expression of their female side. The exact psychological cause
> > is not known but the feelings are deeply rooted.
> > 
> > Due to lack of public understanding, most transavestites live in
> > fear of discovery and limit their cross dressing to the privacy
> > of their homes.
> > 
> > Some transvestites live and go out in the clothes of the opposite
> > sex. Others long to do the same but the fear of prejudice from
> > society prevents them from doing so, which causes increased
> > stress.
> > 
> > Marital problems are common among transvestites. Many experience
> > difficulty in finding accepting partners. Often transvestites who
> > reveal themselves lose friends, family and sometimes, their job.
> > 
> >                       _________________________
> >                            Who Are They?
> > 
> > Transexuals and transvestites come from all walks of life, income
> > brackets, intelligence and cultures. It's quite possible that
> > someone you know is either.
> > 
> > Although exact figures are not known, it appears that
> > transsexualism occurs in approx. one in 35,000 males and one in
> > 100,000 females worldwide. In recent years, the incidence of
> > female transsexuals appears to be approaching equality with that
> > of males.
> > 
> > Transvestitism is primarily a male practice. Female transvestites
> > are much fewer in number. This is probably because it is much
> > more acceptible in our society for a woman to don male apparel
> > than it is for a man to dress as a woman.
> > 
> >                         __________________________
> >                         Societal Issues Faced
> > 
> > Due to a common lack of understanding and acceptance by others,
> > the transsexual or transvestite often experiences the following:
> > --guilt, depression, stress, low self esteem --isolation from
> > family and friends
> > --ridicule and harrassment from the public
> > --discrimination in the workplace, including possible loss of     
> >  employment
> > --extreme difficulty in finding employment if transexuality or    
> >  transvestism is known
> > --misunderstanding in the medical community when seeking proper   
> >  assistance
> > --loneliness
> > 
> >                         _______________________
> >                         The Law and Legal Rights
> > 
> > It is not illegal to dress at home or appear in public as a
> > member of the opposite sex. However, you can become a target of
> > discrimination. In some cases when reasonable discussion fails,
> > the Ontario Human Rights Commission may be able to help. Gender
> > Mosaic also works with the Ottawa police to help protect your
> > rights.
> > 
> >                        __________________________
> >                        Is Help Available???
> > 
> > Joining a peer support group enables you to meet others like
> > yourself. For many, it ends the isolation and creates life long
> > friendships. Through a sharing of feelings and experiences you an
> > gain better self acceptance.
> > 
> > If you wish to receive medical assistance, your support group can
> > help you find the right services. You should be aware that the
> > cost of psychiatric counselling is covered by OHIP. Most major
> > cities in the world have established support groups.
> > 
> >                      _________________________
> >                      Ottawa Support Groups
> > 
> > Gender Mosaic established in the late eighties, is a support
> > group for transvestites and cross-dressers. Thansexuals are
> > welcome to join. Some of the group's goals are:
> > --provide emotional support and social contact for group members.
> > --provide a telephone support service
> > --provide a liase between the gender community and the public
> > 
> > FACTT Ottawa is a discussion group which focusses on emotional
> > support and factual information for the transsexual.
> > Transvestites and cross-dressers are welcome to join. The group
> > has been in operation since the early eighties.
> > 
> >                      ____________________________
> >                      For More Information Contact
> > 
> > Gender Mosaic (Cross dressing support group)
> > 
> > FACTT OTTAWA (Transexual support group)
> > 
> > Gender Mosaic / FACTT                    (613)749-5203
> > P.O. Box 7421
> > Vanier, Ontario
> > K1L 8E4