Just Jennifer's Journal: So, What is Harry Benjamin Syndrome?

There have been several snarky comments made about Harry Benjamin Syndrome, so I suppose it would be good to explain what it is, what it is not, and why some are so threatened by it.

First off, Harry Benjamin Syndrome is, first, and foremost a PROPOSED change in terminology. It is not yet widely accepted. These things don't happen overnight. It is proposed as a term to be used in place of terms like "primary transsexual, classic transsexual, or true transsexual." Ideally, it would be defined as a neurological condition where the brain is sexually differentiated at odds with the body. It is a preferred term. We are asking that it be adopted, not claiming that it has been.

While I imagine there might well be people who make claims to be diagnosed with HBS, they are simply delusional. I always state it as a preference. It is certainly preferable to other terms, like "gender identity disorder," "gender dysphoria," or "transgender." There is nothing wrong with my gender identity (I am a woman, and I identify as a woman...), I am not unhappy about being a woman, and well, I am not transgender even if some want to demand that I accept that label.

So, what is wrong with "transsexual?" On the one hand, nothing. It describes what I did. I changed my sex. On the other hand, several things. First off, it has been co-opted as a term for a type of pornography. A few years ago anyone typing "transsexual" into Microsoft's web search engine was taken to sites that featured pornography, i.e. pictures of men dressed as women, showing off their penises. Second, the term has been co-opted by the transgender movement who have created a great deal of confusion about what the term means. People who are not transsexual want to claim that status because of an imaginary hierarchy that puts "transsexual" at the top.

Oh, and just so you know, Harry Benjamin was a pioneer in the field. He popularized the term "transsexual." He was the first to provide standards for the proper treatment of those with the condition.

So, why do some fear the idea? That is simple. It counters the idea that one can simply claim to be a transsexual. It creates a new concept with more specific criteria and encourages professionals to be more careful in making a diagnosis. I know from experience that it is easy to find a doctor who will call you a transsexual and recommend surgery without providing any real care or bothering to truly examine the patient. In my journey I saw doctors with real experience, and a few I had to explain stuff to. And I saw one who seemed most interested in building her numbers. She wanted to push people into surgery so she could attract more patients. So claiming that a "doctor" has labeled you a transsexual is, unfortunately, meaningless. We need to move back from this abyss.

Jennifer Usher: More (H)BS

[tomhudson]

"Harry Benjamin Syndrome", on the other hand, is used by netkooks to try to make themselves feel "special". BTW, when Usher says:

So, why do some fear the idea? That is simple. It counters the idea that one can simply claim to be a transsexual.

... this is just more of Usher's silliness. Anyone can claim to be anything, including being Napoleon. Fortunately, doctors, not netkooks like Jennifer Usher, are still in charge of making the diagnosis.

http://transboutique.com/article.php?story=20100303172536567 [transboutique.com]

Re:

[tomhudson]

Been there, done that - Usher doesn't "go away" that easily. The only way Usher will "go away" is when Usher realizes that I'm using Usher' own posts to get more visibility for one of my web sites.

In over a decade, nobody has found another way that works. This one will, but it takes time. LOTS of time. In the meantime, just ignore it. It's just a quick cut-and-paste anyway.

Just have sex already

[Red4man]

Seriously. It'd probably be an EPIC fuck*. Just don't film it. No one wants to see that.

* well, it'd be epic for you two at your ages. Not so much for me.

Re:

[tomhudson]

Hi Red!

I'm disappointed - no "dumbass!" :-) What did you do with the real Red4man?

Re:

[Red4man]

In case you hadn't heard, I'm banging my girlfriend, and her younger sister, often at the same time. Who the fuck can be upset and call people a dumbass with that happening?

Re:

[Captain Splendid]

He's right. Mickey said it best: "WOMEN. WEAKEN. LEGS!"

Re:

[tomhudson]

You have a point. Just don't the three of you shack up in British Columbia. Unlike Quebec, (where it doesn't matter how long you co-habitate, or how many kids you have, there is no such thing as a common-law marriage), the legal status of polygamy is once again up in the air [www.cbc.ca] - the section of the criminal code outlawing polygamy is contrary to the constitution's freedom of religion guarantees - and they recognize common-law relationships as the equivalent of marriage.

Then again, knowing you, you'll be 92

Re:

[Red4man]

They don't live with me. Sometimes one (or both) come over to my place, sometimes I go to their place.

Dumbass.