Transsexualism / Gender Identity Disorder

Transsexualism is a condition that seems to be a phenomenon of today's society. There are varying assumptions made about the causes of 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. However, knowledgeable counsellors and well informed psychiatrists are essential to the early stages of recovery. 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.

For more information see our Issues page on gender identity and transsexualism.

Articles

Gender Identity Disorder in Children: NARTH
This article addresses the situation when children show mannerisms and behaviour that normally belong to the opposite sex. The good news that if the gender identity problems are identified and addressed early, and if both parents cooperate in the solution, many of the negative outcomes can be prevented.

A Personal Testimony: Keith Tiller of Parakaleo Ministries
(Click above to go to the Parakaleo website, then click on People)
Keith Tiller, founder-director of Parakaleo Ministries has a profound understanding of the anguish of being gender-confused. Having lived part of his life with an intense desire to be the opposite sex, he shares about how God slowly began a work in the reversal of thoughts and values which enabled him to turn his back on the lifestyle and 'take up his cross and follow Jesus'.

Transsexualism in the Church: a pastor's response
(Parakeleo - choose 'Articles'. Transsexualism in the Church was printed in SALT SHAKERS Journal in October 2000)
This article talks about the experience of a Pastor, with the Holy Spirit as his guide, who was able to bring restoration to someone wanting to abandon the lifestyle of transsexualism.

Transsexualism: mind over matter
This comprehensive Briefing from the Christian Institute analyses the Christian's response to transsexualism.

Resources

Books

Transsexuality: A Report by the Evangelical Alliance Policy Commission
This is a thorough investigative compact book (87 pages) which defines transsexualism and its associated issues. It discusses possible causes for this behaviour, an ethical and biblical perspective and how the church can respond in dealing with this concern.
A summary/review of this book, by Jennifer Catherine, was published in our February 2002 Journal.
It is available from SALT SHAKERS at a cost of A$13 plus $2 postage.

My Genes made me do it: A scientific look at sexual orientation
By Neil and Briar Whitehead
A biological analysis which looks at genetics and what produces sexual identity. The book also forms conclusive evidence that does not support current views on genetic determinisation.
An updated free version of the book is available on the My Genes website.

(Reviews of both these books are available on the Parakaleo website)

Websites

These two websites provide a wealth of articles offering insight on this issue.

Parakaleo Ministries
Personal testimonies, ministry updates, various papers on the associated issues of gender.

NARTH
National Association for Research and Therapy of Homosexual Issues (Dr Joseph Nicolosi)
Provides understanding about gender issues, reparative approach to healing, what science reveals, papers, interviews, testimonies.

AIS Support Group Australia Inc
For information and support on intersex conditions.
The Australian Intersex Support Group is a peer support, information and advocacy group for people affected by AIS and/or related intersex conditions, and their families.

Australian Legal Cases

For a full listing of the cases see this page on our website.

Brodie - May 2008
Re Brodie (Special Medical Procedure)
Justice Carter in the Family Court has allowed a 12 year old girl to begin hormone treatment to 'stop puberty' with the eventual aim of being a 'boy' - going on to take male sex hormones (with another court ruling) and later have surgery (at 18). The decision was made 'urgently' in December 2007, to allow Brodie to begin secondary school as a 'boy'. The decision was not published until May 2008.
One of the saddest elements of the case is the brokenness of the family (unmarried parents, now separated). The father objected to the decision but had no legal representation in court whilst the mother had Legal Aid. Sadly, the girl, now called 'Brodie', says she wants to be 'married' with a wife and children - what a hard road lies ahead if she pursues this 'wish' to be a boy.
Court Decisions:
Main Family Court decision - click here.
Full orders plus reasons - outline of family situation, feelings of 'Brodie'.
Family Court decision July 2007- click here.
Regarding jurisdiction of the court. This decision highlights the background of the case and the family situation.
Media reports - Herald Sun - Daily Telegraph - ABC - Herald Sun (family concern) - ABC (AMA comment).

Alex
Re Alex : Hormonal Treatment for Gender Identity Dysphoria [2004] FamCA 297 (13 April 2004)
The Family Court allowed a 13 year old girl, called 'Alex, to begin hormonal treatment to start the process to becoming a boy. The child was the daughter of an immigrant father - her mother had died and 'Alex' felt she was a boy. Justice Nicholson made the decision.

Kevin and Jennifer
In Re Kevin (Validity of Marriage of Transsexual) [2001] FamCA 1074 (12 October 2001)
A 2001 case testing the validity of marriage between Kevin and Jennifer. Kevin was a post-operative female-to-male transsexual.
From the decision:
"Application for declaration of validity of marriage between a woman and a female to male post operative transsexual - Whether the person's sex must be determined solely by reference to genitals, chromosomes, and gonads at time of birth - Whether other matters may be taken into account - Whether Corbett v Corbett (otherwise Ashley) [1971] P. 83 represented Australian law.
"The applicants, who went through a ceremony of marriage on 21 August 1999 applied for a declaration of the validity of that marriage. The issue involved was whether the husband was a man at the date of the marriage. The question arose because he was a post-operative female to male transsexual.
"The applicants submitted that the husband was a man for the purpose of the marriage law, and that Court should declare that the marriage is valid. The Attorney-General intervened and submitted that the husband was not a man for the purpose of the law of marriage, and that the application should therefore be dismissed. ..."
The Family Court ruled that the marriage was valid [paragraph 330].
Ironically, the judge said that if he had ruled Kevin was still a woman, a situation where a female and a male-to-female transsexual wanted to marry would then be allowed as a 'woman and a man' marriage - but since they were living as two women it would in effect seem to allow a 'same-sex marriage'!

Other cases
Germany: 12-year-old 'transsexual' given hormone treatment
World Net Daily , Jan 28, 2007.

Media reports:

Goldman Sachs, Others Agree to Pay for Employees' Sex Changes
Citizen Link, 13/2/2008.