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I started my transition just about 5 years ago now and but there was always the constant fluctuating back and forth between "genders" which caused even more confusion over the years. So after having undergone about 8 years of on and off mental health and gender counseling in trying to figure out the why's and what's about this "need" that I couldn't shake. It wasn't until 2006 that I met and started seeing a wonderful Gender Therapist named Dr Patricia Fawver who is in Tacoma WA.

It was then determined that I did indeed have Gender Identity Dysphoria or GID. With my acceptance and coming to terms with this, along with the changes that I am undergoing has shown me a whole new unexpected path in life and I love it

I am now living fulltime as a female and my life has changed so much. I am enjoying a journey very few dare take, the freedom it is showing me is a wonderful new experience of discovery, but because this life has it pitfalls and trials just as anyone else's does I have developed a belief in the philosophy of "Those that judge do not matter and those that matter do not judge".

I realize that an attitude like that may sound strange coming from a diversity advocate but it really isn't as bad as it sounds. It is the basis of a series of coping skills and the guideline for dealing with the daily issues of life, but more on that later.

I am also very lucky that I have a great bunch of very supportive friends who don't judge and have accepted me as the person I am. They have shown me that they too care about this journey that I have embarked on.

Stephanie Snowden

Gender Identity Disorder affects approximately 1% of all Americans. It is a condition that is neurobiological in nature, and its effects, if not accepted for the neurobiological variance that it is, are devastating to the individuals as well as their family members. Left unaddressed, it leads to suicide in up to 50% of individuals before the age of 30. Even when addressed, if not addressed early enough, it can leave individuals at risk of social torment, ostracism and even physical harm. GID is not a choice; it is a birth variance that can be identified very early in life.

Early identification and appropriate intervention significantly increases the potential for individuals to live happy and productive lives. However, treatment costs are very high and currently marginally covered by the insurance industry due to significant misunderstanding and misrepresentation of the nature and course of the variance. Additionally, the social stigmatization associated with the diagnosis leaves many patients and family members afraid of seeking the assistance they need.

All individuals deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. The neurobiological variation inherent to the transgender community is not a choice.

With the passing of more local and state laws that are dedicated to supporting the community of individuals with GID the need for supporting research, healthcare needs and healthcare reimbursement, healthcare professional education and social awareness are critical for a better future for Transgender individuals, their families and society overall.

These changes must come from the individuals themselves, government, education, business and even unions who have a huge influence within our society. It must be a joint effort on all parties' parts. It is not about special rights or treatment but in many cases it is about just receiving fair treatment that most of society takes for granted.

What is the difference between Gender verses Orientation?

In my opinion the best way to explain this is by using an example, Gay and Lesbians are basically no different than Heterosexual individuals because being Gay ,Lesbian or Hetrosexual is orientation based and not gender based. While the Transgenders situation is directly tied to everything that has to do with gender and has absolutely nothing to do with orientation.

One example I've used in the past is about me being a gay male prior to transitioning (orientation), but being a hetrosexual (straight) woman after I complete my transition (gender as a female).

The Transgender Community encompasses a fairly broad base of individuals such as Transsexuals, Drag Queens, Drag Kings, Transvestites,Crossdressers and Gender Queer people.

But for the purposes of clearity in this case the term Transgender or Transexual is used in reference to a person who is in the process of or has changed their physical gender from that of their birth gender.

In this situation the numbers of individuals who are considered Transgendered is actually small. As of 2003 the estimates were approximately 10,000 to 12,000 and one study put the number closer to 30,000 transgendered women living and going about their daily lives. The estimates were approximately 1 in every 11,900 males to female and 1 in every 30,000 females to male. Today researchers think those numbers are even higher at approximately 1% of all Americans.

The difficulty is in really knowing just how many Transexuals there are.

One issue and a valid one is privacy, another is that a fairly large number of Transgenders go out of the country for their surgeries because of the easier access to services and the lower cost but with the quality generally found in the US (HIPAA). The two most popular countries are Thailand and Canada. Along with the fact that many just want to live their lives as their new gender.

These combined circumstances makes it all but impossible to know just how many transgenders there are in our society although those of us within the community know that in fact the numbers are increasing because of the slow but steady acceptance within society. The internet has been the biggest influence on the acceptance and growth of knowledge about transexualism.