Eye Brow Shaping - How to Shape and Define Your Eyebrows

Eye brow shaping, in the make-up application process, should be done before applying foundation, concealer and powder to the face. Defining your eyebrows before applying eye make up, cheek color or lipstick makes a big difference in the overall balance you are trying to create.

Make-up artists consider eyebrows and eye brow shaping the most important facial feature because well defined eye brows will frame the eyes, make them look bigger and give the face a polished look.

Shapeless and messy eyebrows can ruin any make-up effect you try to create. You can have a facialist wax them but first be sure she knows which shape you want. Although there are many choices, the most elegant brow shape is long, clean, and natural.

Hold the Tweezers!...

The main purpose of eye brow shaping and removing unwanted hair from the eyebrow area is to create a flattering arch that enhances the eye. Make sure that you have a clear idea of the shape you wish to achieve before you pick up a pair of tweezers. It's best to stick to a naturally trimmed look, unless you are trying to create a more dramatic effect.

If you are thinking of plucking your eye brows for the first time, see a professional before you do. Many times the hair tweezed during eye brow shaping does not grow back right or does not grow back at all. Either way, you will need a good pair of tweezers and the ability to use them correctly. Few makeup tricks can help you look as good as a pair of beautiful eye brows can.

Most of us women have eyebrows that require some type of definition (eye brow shaping) to look complete. Applying make-up to your eyebrows helps them stand out and look complete. At first, you may feel the eye brow pencil has exaggerated your eye brows. Just remember that your are used to seeing your old look and it takes a short time to adjust to a new look.

Eye Brow Shaping to Perfection...

Begin the eye brow shaping process by balancing your eyebrow so that it is proportionate with the rest of your face. Look in the mirror and place imaginary lines (or a pencil) across your face to match the lines shown here. Do this on both sides of the nose and pluck only in between. Be careful about the distance between the inner brows and the length of the brows.

A. Imagine a vertical line going up from the outside of your nostril towards your forehead. The inner part of the eyebrow should converge with this line.

B. A straight line going out from the outside corner of your nostril past the outer corner of your eye marks the end of your eyebrow.

C. Your arch should be found two thirds of the way from your inner eyebrow.

Plucking Your Eye Brows Away...

No two eyebrows are exactly the same but during this eye brow shaping phase you can achieve as symmetrical a look as possible. Start by using tweezers with pointed or slanted tips since they grip the hairs best.

Never pluck the top of your eye brows, always pluck below the eye brow line, and follow it's natural arch. You can use the top of the brow as a guideline to shape the bottom.

You will notice that the eyebrow gets narrower as it goes upwards and outwards. Pluck the hairs out toward the ears following the natural hair growth. Pluck slowly and check your eye brow shaping progress often by looking in the mirror.

1. Brush the eyebrow upwards and back using a mascara wand or brow brush, then brush downwards the hair to be removed.

2. Draw over your eyebrow a very dark outline of the shape you want using a dark eyebrow pencil. Make sure both eyebrows are as symmetrical as possible, then remove any hairs outside the outline.

3. You can remove the hairs outside this outline using tweezers. Pluck each hair as close to the root as possible. Pluck one hair at a time, always pluck from underneath the brow and pull hairs in their growth direction using a swift, sharp movement.

4. After plucking, brush eyebrows into shape using an eye brow brush. Work upward and outward to give the brow more definition. Your eye brow shaping phase is complete.

5. To achieve symmetry you can use eyebrow pencil or shadow to define the eye brows. Use light strokes to fill in any gaps.

6. Brush through again with the brow brush to blend in the eyebrow pencil. You can use hair spray to keep hairs in place by spraying a clean mascara wand and combing it through the eyebrow.

What Eye Brow Color to Blend in...

After eye brow shaping you need to determine your eyebrow make-up color using your present hair color as a guideline, whether it's natural or artificially colored.

Eye Brow Pencil Colors

Black Hair Dark Brown Hair Gray Hair	Dark Brown Hair Medium Brown Hair Red Hair Mousy Brown Hair Blonde Hair	Orange Red Hair	Light Brown Hair Blonde Hair

First Steps...

I have recently undertaken the first of many steps in the transformation of myself into Jerri. Just the other day I started taking hormones for the first time in years...I had taken some when I was a teen, but stopped. Looking back I wish I hadn't for I can only imagine where I would be today...

It's only been a few days but I have already noticed a slight change in my skin, with it becoming smoother already. That so far is the only thing I have noticed since starting on hormones, but like I mentioned it's only been a few days and it can take years to undo all the damage done to my body by those horrible male hormones...

As I progress with my treatment I'll post about how it's going and all the little details that go along with turning oneself into a female, so check back again in the future!

What is Gender and Who is Transgendered?

by Carl W. Bushong, PhD, LMFT

When we speak of gender, in a context other than language, it is a recent concept in our culture, both lay and professional. It was not until 1955 that John Money, Ph.D. first used the term "gender" to discuss sexual roles, adding in 1966 the term "gender identity" while conducting his gender research at Johns Hopkins. In 1974, Dr. N.W. Fisk provided our now familiar diagnosis of Gender Dysphoria. Previously, one's sexual role was considered one of two discrete, non-overlapping congenital attributes—male or female determined by one's external genitals. These two mutually exclusive categories allowed for no variation. Of course, we acknowledged the cultural differences in sexual roles, but there still could be only two modes of expression - of being.

We then began to see one's gender as a continuum, a blending, analogous to a "gray scale." But, our distribution of gender was still bimodal, that is, most people are lumped at the two ends (see graphic) with only a minority in the middle. The great majority would be either male or female with all that implies.

But, my review of current research and experience with gender dysphoric, gay and traditional clients has led me to see gender not as a bimodal male or female dichotomy but as a matrix—a possible mix of male and female development within the same individual.

From research and observation, I have developed a list of five semi-independent attributes of gender, as a map to help you to understand this complex often hotly emotional issue of gender. Consider sexual identity/behavior (gender) springing from five semi-independent attributes:

• Genetic Gender — our chromosomal inheritance
• Physical Gender — our primary and secondary sexual characteristics
• Brain Gender — functional structure of the brain, along gender lines
• Brain Sex — love/sex patterns, how we relate to others on a social and interpersonal as well as sexual level; "Love Maps."
• Gender Identity — our subjective gender, our sexual Self-Map, how we feel ourselves to be: male or female

It is my contention that it is possible for an individual to view oneself and function as male or female to varying degrees in each of the five sub-categories independent of the others.

From a few weeks after conception until two to three years of age, our brains develop gender in at least three independent dimensions which I have called "Brain Gender." [How the brain is wired along gender lines.] "Brain Sex" How we perceive sex, relationships and goals along male or female sets] and Gender Identity [how we perceive ourselves-male or female.]

Not only are these three dimensions independent of each other, but of one's Physical Gender as well. That is, a person can have a male body, male Brain Sex and Identity, but have female Brain Gender. [In fact, most writers and artists do.] Such a person would look, act and feel male, but have a female's sensitivity to emotions, words and sensations: Although, they may overcompensate in public and in interpersonal relationships [e.g., Ernest Hemingway]

Like our Genetic and Physical Gender, our Brain Gender, Gender Identity, and Brain Sex, expression usually remains constant from childhood throughout one's life.

Since each of these independent attributes is graded, it is easy to see the possible combinations and degrees number in the thousands. With regard to gender, we can be in a category of one—ourselves.

Perhaps only individuals who are homogeneously male or female at the highest degree in all five attributes could convincingly describe themselves as only a single gender— the rest of us are a matrix [a mixture].

As for the transgendered, they appear to be uniformly one gender in all three brain dimensions, but of the opposite gender, both physically and genetically.

Genes and Gender
The first sub-category, Genetics, is only beginning to be understood. What mechanism and to what degree does genetic influences effect one's expression of gender? We do know that besides the traditional XX chromosome of a typical female and the XY of a typical male, that there are other combinations such as XXY, XYY, and XO.

A XXY combination results in 47 rather the 46 chromosomes. This condition is called Klinefelder's syndrome and occurs in one in every 500 births. Individuals with Klinefelder's are sterile, have enlarged breasts, small testicles and penis, and a eunuch body shape much like the "Pat" character on "Saturday Night Live." They show little interest in sex.

Another 47-chromosome occurrence is XYY Syndrome. In this syndrome, the hormonal and physical appearance of the individual are evidenced as a normal male, but behavior is effected. Typically, XYY Syndrome people are bisexual or paraphilic (pedophilia, exhibitionism, voyeurism, etc.), and show very poor impulse control.

Where Klinefelder's and XYY Syndrome are examples of an extra chromosome, Turner's syndrome is a case of a missing sex chromosome. These individuals possess 45 chromosomes (written as XO), are unable to develop gonads, and are free of all sexual hormones, except that crossing over from the mother during fetal life.

Turner's Syndrome people have external sex organs approximating a female, and their behavior is characterized as hyper-feminine, baby care oriented, and showing very poor spatial and math skills. The Turner's personality, free of all influence from testosterone, tends to be in direct opposition to the typical set of "Tom Boy" traits.

But, none of the above conditions describes the transgendered individual. Transgenderism is far more subtle, involving probably only a few genes on a single chromosome.

Physical Gender
To discuss this aspect of gender we need to examine hormonal involvement, in particular testosterone. During fetal life, the amount present, or the absence of testosterone and other androgens determines our sexuality — physically, mentally and emotionally. There are key times or periods during development when the fetus will go towards the male or the female depending on the level of testosterone. These windows of opportunity may be only open for a few days and if the needed level of testosterone is not present, a basic female orientation develops regardless of the testosterone levels before or after this critical period, and the resulting sexual imprint.

The first critical period is at conception when the presence of the SRY gene (Sex-Determining Region of the Y chromosome) will determine our physical gender. The SRY gene is normally found on the short arm of the Y chromosome, but can detach making for a XY female (the Y missing its SRY gene) or a XX male (the SRY attaching to the X).

The SRY gene causes the fetus to release TDF (Testes Determining Factor) which turns the undifferentiated gonad into testes. Once testes have formed, they release androgens such as testosterone, dehydrocorticosterone, and anti-mullerian hormone.

Before the release of TDF, the developing fetus has two tiny structures, the mullerian and wolffian ducts, and two small-undifferentiated gonads, neither testes nor ovaries. Without the influence of TDF and testosterone, the gonads form into ovaries and the mullerian duct forms into the female internal sex organs, the wolffian duct disappears and the external sexual tissue becomes the labia major, clitoris, labia minor and clitoral hood. With the influence of TDF, the gonads become testicles and the wolffian duct forms the male internal sex organs, the mullerian ducts dissolve and the external tissue develop into the penis, scrotum, penile sheaths and foreskin. In other words, without testosterone all fetuses develop into females. Adam springs from Eve, not Eve from Adam.

As the primary sexual differentiation proceeds towards our physical gender, sometimes deviations occur. These anomalies are sometimes called "experiments of nature." One such "experiment" is a condition termed congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) when the female fetus releases a steroid hormone form her adrenal glands which resembles testosterone. The resulting child often has confusing genitals ranging from deformed female genitals to an appearance of male genitals. If the child is raised as male, following any "adjusting" surgery and given male hormones at puberty, the individual develops as a "normal" but sterile male with XX chromosomes. On the other hand, if the infant is surgically corrected to female and given female hormones, there is a 50/50 chance of lesbian or transgender expression. This "correction" is the source of much unhappiness, and most "intersexed" individuals have this condition.

Another revealing "experiment of nature" is Androgen Insensitivity Syndrome. In this case, there is a normal amount of testosterone circulating in a XY chromosome fetus, but each cell of its body is unable to react to it. This is similar to Turner's Syndrome in that neither the mullerian or wolffian ducts (see above) mature and the external genitalia develops into an approximation of normal female genitals, but differs in that TDF stimulates the gonads into becoming functioning testicles in a XY chromosome body. The child is raised as a girl and is seen as a normal female until she fails to menstruate because she has no uterus. If her testes produce enough estrogen (excess testosterone is converted into estrogen), she develops into a completely normal appearing (but lacking a uterus and upper vagina), sterile female with XY chromosomes and internal testicles.

Brain Gender
Dr. Simon LeVay, in his book, "The Sexual Brain," argues that one's brain receptors for hormones may also play a significant role in our gender development. Dr. LeVay writes, "There is much to recommend...that there are intrinsic, genetically determined differences in the brain's hormone receptors. This would provide a mechanism that involves hormone-induced brain differentiation (along gender lines) but does not require there to be differences in the actual levels of hormones, and there is opportunity for selective effects on different brain systems."

At all times keep in mind that Physical Gender does not always indicate "Brain Gender," while most physical male and female infants have Brain Gender matching their physical gender, a significant (but unknown) percentage do not. And in transgendered individuals, the Physical and Brain Gender are the opposite, and begin to express themselves at birth.

Even a few hours after birth, significant behavioral differences are noted between morphologically "normal" boys and girls. Newborn girls are much more sensitive to touch and sound than their male counterparts. Several day old girls spend about twice as long looking back at an adult face than boys, and even longer if the adult is speaking. A girl can distinguish between the cries of another infant from other extraneous noises long before a boy. Even before they can understand language, girls do better at identifying the emotional context of speech.

Conversely, during the first few weeks of infant life, boys are inattentive to the presence of an adult, whether speaking to the infant or not. However, baby boys tend to show more activity and wakefulness. At the age of several months, girls can usually distinguish between the faces of strangers and people they know—boys usually do not demonstrate this ability.

As infants grow into children, the differences seem to intensify and polarize. Girls learn to speak earlier than boys and do a better job of it. Boys want to explore areas, spaces and things, girls like to talk and listen. Boys like vigorous play in a large space where girls like more sedentary games in smaller spaces. Boys like to build, take things apart, explore mechanical aspects of things and are interested in other children only for their "use" (playmates, teammates, allies, etc.). Girls see others more as individuals—and will likely exclude a person because they're "not nice," and will more readily include younger children and remember each other's names. Girls play games involving home, friendship, and emotions. Boys like rough, competitive games full of "'zap, pow' and villainy." Boys will measure success by active interference with other players, preferring games where winning and losing is clearly defined. In contrast, girl play involves taking turns, cooperation and indirect competition. Tag is a typical boy's game, hopscotch is a girl's game.

As we grow into adults, these differences become both more subtle and entrenched.

Female brained individuals are naturally socialized, tend to prefer cooperation, group discussions and compromise, but are rigid rule followers. Male brained individuals need to be forced into a social conscience, see everything as winning or losing, and are very territorial (my idea, my place, my person, etc.). Competitive and keenly aware of their place in the pecking order, males view rules as something to avoid, ignore or use against others. (The legal profession is very male.)

Female brained individuals are very aware of emotional states, both in themselves and others, and have a gift for, and need to express themselves in language. These two needs/abilities combine so that there is a great deal of discussion and description of everyday things (food, experiences, involvements and other people) with an emotional context and value judgment.

Male brained individuals have great difficulty identifying emotional states of any kind beyond anger, fear and lust, either in themselves or others. Language tends to be restricted and used sparingly, and hardly ever to describe emotional states. But male brains do have superior spatial and non-verbal skills, such as mathematics, map reading, 3-D conceptions, and with increasing intelligence, abstractions.

In fact, for reasons not understood (at least by this writer), gender differences seem to decrease as our IQ points increase. One study indicated that one-third of physical females in graduate school had brains wired more like a typical male brain.

Transgendered folk tend to be born with a female brain gender, but shortly after eight years of age begin to forsake it for a makeshift male brain type of response. It is like abandoning a four-lane highway and taking a little dirt road beside it -- and making the best of their choice. Why do such a thing? To fit in. Around eight or nine years of age, the differences between male and female behavior become obvious. In order to fit in, the physical male with a female brain begins to mimic and then perfect (as much as they can) a male response, leaving their natural female self unexpressed or underdeveloped.

Some transgendered physical males are very good at this subterfuge and produce a flawless macho male persona. Others are less successful, and some produce a "Swiss cheese" persona where glimpses or whole chunks of their natural female thinking showing through. But, no matter how efficient an individual is in hiding their natural gender from others, they will always be aware (at least at times and to some degree) of it themselves.

The non-transgendered would typically be able to live with their female gendered brain (most writers, artists, actors), forming some sort of truce or overcompensation which even they would usually come to accept as being true. But, alas, the transgendered also have a female gendered Brain Sex and Identity.

Brain Sex
There appears to be a male and female pattern of psychosexual behavior. These are modes of behavior -- one male, one female which are laid down, like Brain Gender, in early life and seem to be independent of environment (how, where, and by whom we are raised) and can be independent of both Physical Gender and Brain Gender.

Before I delve into what Brain Sex is, let me state what it is not -- it is not sexual orientation. While sexual orientation can be an attribute of Brain Sex, it is not a primary one. More on this later.

What is Brain Sex? Brain Sex is the primary hard-wired patterns which dictates how we view and relate to others on a social, interpersonal and sexual level. Although, like Brain Gender, most physical females will have female Brain Sex and physical males, male Brain Sex. But, this is far from absolute, and in the case of transgendered folk, it is the reverse. A physical male transgendered person will have female Brain Sex as well as female Brain Gender.

When referring to female and male brained individuals in this section, I will be referring to their Brain Sex regardless of the physical or Gender Brained states.

Female brained individuals cannot and do not separate how they feel about a person (good, bad, nice, boring, etc.) and how they see them sexually. They must feel positive about a person as an individual in order to sexually desire them. Male brained individuals have a distant disconnect between feelings about a person as an individual and as a sex object. Males can easily, sometimes preferably, have sex with a person they don't know, don't like or even actively dislike. Love and sex are two different worlds for the male brained. These two worlds can come together, and for most this is preferred, but it is not necessary, and for some, not even desired.

For female brained individuals, environmental factors are very important when it comes to sexual contact. Such things as lighting (candles, soft lighting), smells, sensual bedding, music and a "romantic" ambiance are important to erotic feelings and fantasies. Males can have sex anywhere, any time, any place with equal gusto. Sex in the bed, car or dark room with a stranger are all equivalent.

While environmental concerns are low on the male totem pole of desires, sensual attitudes come very high. How their partner looks, feels, even smells, is very important. Males prefer their partner young (or with young features), smooth and "sexy." Looks and sensual components are much less important to the female brain, with social status and acceptance given greater weight.

The importance given to the senses in males and their disconnect between romantic feeling and sex objects, help explain male interest in pornography and their ability to have sex to orgasm almost indiscriminately (sex dolls) and often counter to the stated attributes of a desired partner (sex in prison).

While female brained individuals are highly influenced by what society expects or rejects in regard to their general and erotic behavior; males are often most influenced by what display value and "bragging rights" their behavior and partner possesses.

As for sexual orientation, this is an attribute which I feel to be limited to male brained individuals. I know this is heresy and very socially incorrect in some circles. But, allow me to illustrate my point. While male brained persons are capable (at least while young) of having sex with almost anything (animal, vegetable, or mineral), they are from an early age romantically and sexually drawn to a specific physical type, male or female. No matter what their socially influenced sexual activity may be, or for how long, their basic attraction (even if denied) is not acted on, their orientation does not change.

Female brained individuals, on the other hand, appear to be much more fluid and less physically restricted in their choice of sexual partners. Women routinely become romantically attached to each other, but physical expressions remain atypical for most. While periods of lesbian experimentation is not rare among women, for a straight male to become romantically involved with another male in mid-life without previous gay feelings unexpressed is all but unknown.

Female brained persons are far more influenced by a person's personality and "niceness" than their body, and being great rule followers, they are highly influenced by what "society" expects of them. This society can be anything from the greater society to their neighborhood, family, friends, religious or social group. If a female brained individual meets an emotionally compatible woman in a socially accepting or nurturing environment, a romance can take place. A male might have sex, but never romance.

Because transgendered physical males have female brain sex, they lack a hard-wired sexual orientation. Therefore, while some transgender women retain a "lesbian orientation," the majority, in spite of their behavior, feelings and expectations before transition, develop an attraction to males and desire a "normal" romantic and sexual relationship with a man. They follow the rules first as a physical male later as a physical woman.

Gender Identity
The last of our five attributes, Gender Identity, is the last to be identified, and the least understood and researched. Gender identity is one's subjective sense of one's own sex. Like pain, it is unambiguously felt but one is unable to prove or display it to others. One's subjective gender is just as real and immalleable as one's physical gender but unfortunately not recognized in our culture. When one's Gender Identity does not match their Physical Gender, the individual is termed Gender Dysphoric. Like minority Sexual Orientation, Gender Dysphoria is not pathological, but a natural aberration occurring within the population, like blue eyes. As with minority sexual orientation, the percentage of the population having gender dysphoria is in dispute, with estimates ranging between one in 39,000 individuals up to three percent of the general population. My experience leads me to feel that the higher figure (3%) is closer to the actual prevalence.

Physically male gender dysphoric individuals have been described, either by themselves or by others, as falling into three distinct groups: crossdressers, transgenderists and transsexuals.

While these categories are the generally accepted classifications both within the gender community and among helping professionals, during my work with gender folk I have come to the belief that there is only one cause, one conflict, one condition — but there are many reactions and adjustments to it. I have gradually come to the conclusion that one's coming to terms with the conflict between one's knowledge of their true gender and one's need to be "normal" fosters the same conflict in all gender folk. Because a child's greatest desire is to be normal (like everybody else), the great majority of transgendered individuals create an artificial self which meets this goal. They are often so successful at this that they not only fool everyone else but themselves as well — at least part of the time, in some way.

Once created, physically male gender folk live in their male role — a 3-D personality with its own goals, likes and dislikes, values, hobbies, etc. Although indistinguishable from the "real thing," it isn't themselves. It is an artificial creation for them to be able to fit in. This is achieved at the expense of denying, locking away, their natural female self. (See Brain Gender and Brain Sex.) Their desire to be "normal" has denied them their natural selves. But, as the nagging reality of the deception becomes harder and harder to suppress, one has to express their true gender somehow, in some way.

For most, dressing is the obvious compromise. If one cannot be female, one can at least express femininity. But the more one expresses one's true self, the desire for more becomes greater. Some individuals continue expressing themselves more and more, others panic and purge only to start again later.

One's gender identity classification (crossdresser, transgenderist, transsexual, etc.) is due to each individual's adjustment to first the conflict between one's natural gender and their need to be "normal," and later to the conflict between one's natural gender and their "male persona." There is no objective "best solution," only a subjective, personal best solution.

After years or decades of living, working and building within their male persona, it is often too "expensive" to give up the life, perks, family, etc., one has built up—in order to go back to basics and have an emotionally 12 year old girl grow up—and live in a once male 40+ year old body. But no one is too old to transition. I have had many people in their 40's and 50's transition very successfully. I have even had some clients in their 60's and 70's.

However far one is able to go toward dismantling the male persona and allowing their female subjective gender to develop, one generally seems to have the following three levels of transition:
1. Recognition that one's Brain Gender is different from one's Physical Gender —This first phase comprises the majority of transgendered persons (75 – 95%) and can take the form of seeing one's self as a "woman trapped in a man's body," a need to express one's "feminine side," etc. This stage is mainly concerned with physical/surface changes such as crossdressing, passing, makeup, wigs, etc. In this first part, many gender folk don't even venture from their own home in female attire or restrict their expression to undergarments (bra, panties) in public. They often have a juvenile (before age 15) and later, an adult phase. There is often years or decades between the two phases. This level is filled with confusion, conflict, guilt, panic, and purging. The so called "Primary Transsexual" is an individual who never constructs a male persona and therefore never accepts their male genitals or challenges their female Self Map/subjective gender.

2. Accepting one's True Self— This stage is much more varied than the first, and has less emotional turmoil. This is the stage where one begins to accept their female self in some way and to make lifestyle changes to accommodate this acceptance. One may only accept the need to appear female, still denying their female true self (crossdresser) or begin to accept their true female self, but concentrating on a superficial physical level of change (transsexual, transgendered).

The self-identified crossdresser may begin to bring his significant other into his dressing, begin going to crossdresser meetings and events, or even going out into public. Those individuals more accepting of their true self will start to look for help in physical transitioning, such as hormones, electrolysis, and surgery, as well as wigs, makeup and clothes.

The major insight lacking at this stage is that they are still under the control of the male persona with all of its unnatural fears, drives, expectations, and knowledge. Even their view of their "female self" is his view, not their freed and autonomous female self. They are still trapped in the belief that physical form alone determines gender.

3. Becoming one's True Self — This is the last but unfortunately least experienced part of transitioning. This is the stage when that little girl trapped inside an artificial male persona in order to fit in, breaks free, grows up and has her own life — often with markedly different values, temperament and interests.

It has been my observation that the female self needs little help in growing up and developing if the overpowering weight of the male persona is removed from it. The transgender individual has spent years, decades developing, reinforcing and living in their male role. Dismantling the male persona takes a great deal of time, effort and outside help. But, an individual's sense of happiness and success is directly parallel with the degree they have dismantled their male identity, not on their age, physical size, hormones, surgery, etc.

Some Terms...

Crossdresser—
Those individuals with a desire to wear the clothing of the other sex but not to change their sex are termed crossdressers. Most crossdressers view themselves as heterosexual men who like to wear women's clothing in private or in public, and may even occasionally fantasize about becoming a woman. Once referred to as a transvestite, crossdresser has become the term of choice.

Transgenderist—
Transgenderists are men and women who prefer to steer away from gender role extremes and perfect an androgynous presentation of gender. They incorporate elements of both masculinity and femininity into their appearance. Some persons may see them as male, and by others as female. They may live part of their life as a man, and part as a woman, or they may live entirely in their new gender role but without plans for genital surgery.

Transsexual—
Men and women whose gender identity more closely matches the other physical sex are termed transsexual. These individuals desire to rid themselves of their primary and secondary sexual characteristics and live as members of the other sex.

Transsexuals are diagnostically divided into the sub-categories of Primary or Secondary. Primary transsexuals display an unrelenting and high degree of gender dysphoria, usually from an early age (four to six years of age). Secondary transsexuals usually come to a full realization of their condition in their twenties and thirties, but may not act on their feelings until they are much older. Typically, secondary transsexuals first go through phases that would be self-assessed as being a "crossdresser or transgenderist."

Ten Things Transgender Persons Should Discuss with Their Health Care Providers

While not all of these items apply to everyone, it’s wise to be aware of these issues.

1. Access to Health Care
Transgender persons are often reluctant to seek medical care through a traditional provider-patient relationship. Some are even turned away by providers. A doctor who refuses to treat a trans person may be acting out of fear and transphobia, or may have a religious bias against GLBT patients. It’s also possible that the doctor simply doesn’t have the knowledge or experience he needs. Furthermore, health care related to transgender issues is usually not covered by insurance, so it is more expensive. Whatever the reasons, transgender people have sometimes become very ill because they were afraid to visit their providers.

2. Health History
Trans persons may hide important details of their health history from their doctors. Perhaps they fear being denied care if their history is known. Even many years after surgery, they may omit the history of their transition when seeing a new provider. Patients should see their provider as an equal partner in their health care, not as a gatekeeper or an obstacle to be overcome.

3. Hormones
Cross-gender hormone therapy gives desirable feminizing (or masculinizing) effects, but carries its own unique risks. Estrogen has the potential to increase the risk of blood clotting, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and water retention. Anti-androgens such as spironolactone can produce dehydration, low blood pressure, and electrolyte disturbances. Testosterone, especially when given orally or in high doses, carries the risk of liver damage. Hormone use should be appropriately monitored by the patient and provider. Some trans people tend to obtain hormones and other treatment through indirect means, bypassing the health care system. Taking hormones without supervision can result in doses too high or too low, with undesired results.

4. Cardiovascular Health
Trans persons may be at increased risk for heart attack or stroke, not only from hormone use but from cigarette smoking, obesity, hypertension, and failure to monitor cardiovascular risks. Trans women may fear that a provider who finds them at risk for cardiovascular disease will instruct them to stop their hormones, and so they do not seek medical attention even when they have early warning signs of heart disease or stroke.

5. Cancer
Hormone-related cancer (breast in trans women, liver in women or men) is very rare but should be included in health screening. A greater worry is cancer of the reproductive organs. Trans men who have not had removal of the uterus, ovaries, or breasts are still at risk to develop cancer of these organs. Trans women remain at risk, although low, for cancer of the prostate. Furthermore, some providers are uncomfortable with treating such cancers in trans people. Some cases have been reported in which persons delay seeking treatment, or are refused treatment, until the cancer has spread.

6. STDs and Safe Sex
Trans people, especially youth, may be rejected by their families and find themselves homeless. They may be forced into sex work to make a living, and therefore at high risk for STDs including HIV. Other trans people may practice unsafe sex when they are beginning to experience sexuality in their desired gender. Safe sex is still possible even in transgender relationships.

7. Alcohol and Tobacco
Alcohol abuse is common in transgender people who experience family and social rejection, and the depression which accompanies such rejection. Alcohol combined with sex hormone administration increases the risk of liver damage. Tobacco use is high among all trans persons, especially those who use tobacco to maintain weight loss. Risks of heart attack and stroke are increased in persons who smoke tobacco and take estrogen or testosterone.

8. Depression/Anxiety
For many reasons, trans people are particularly prone to depression and anxiety. In addition to loss of family and friends, they face job stress and the risk of unemployment. Trans people who have not transitioned and remain in their birth gender are very prone to depression and anxiety. Suicide is a risk, both prior to transition and afterward. One of the most important aspects of the transgender therapy relationship is management of depression and/or anxiety.

9. Injectable Silicone
Some trans women want physical feminization without having to wait for the effects of estrogen. They expect injectable silicone to give them "instant curves." The silicone, often administered at "pumping parties" by non-medical persons, may migrate in the tissues and cause disfigurement years later. It is usually not medical grade, may contain many contaminants, and is often injected using a shared needle. Hepatitis may be spread through use of such needles.

10. Fitness (Diet & Exercise)
Many trans people are sedentary and overweight. Exercise is not a priority, and they may be working long hours to support their transitions. A healthy diet and a frequent exercise routine are just as important for trans persons as for the public. Exercise prior to sex reassignment surgery will reduce a person’s operative risk and promote faster recovery.

Why do you strive to emulate the female form?

This was a question posed in one of the groups I belong to and I thought I'd share my response on my blog...

Hum...while this may seem to be a straight forward question, in reality its not. I could simply say that since I'm transsexual that it is simply my true self being expressed, but it's more complex than that. Yes as one level it is because I'm transsexual, but I also truly enjoy all the choices I have when I dress as a women. The assortment of colors is much wider, the number of different styles is wonderful, the selection of different materials is simply great and that's just for clothes. The variety of shoes available is wonderful too, the colors, the heel heights, boots, sandals, mules, pumps, etc. are simply not even choices you have in men's clothing.

For me at least there is also the fit of the clothing. I've always been small for a man, which has never bothered me in the least. I have a 28" waist, a size that doesn't even exist in men's clothing; sure I can go to the boys department but then I can't find one with the right inseam or ones that will go over my hips (35"). A women's size 7/8 fits me perfectly. Also I have small feet for a male wearing a men's size 6 1/2...again a size that falls between the boy's and the men's department, but again is a size 8 in women's shoes...the most common women's shoe size.

All my life I frequently have cause others confusing as to my gender; frequently being confused with being a women...something I've never bothered to correct people when it occurs and at times have encouraged.

When it really comes down to it, it's because I'm a women stuck in the wrong body, but there are many factors that go into that...

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Your Brain is 87% Female, 13% Male

You have the brain of a girly girl Which isn't a bad thing at all You're emphatetic, caring, and in tune with emotions. You're a good friend and give great advice.

What Gender Is Your Brain?

Boys will be girls

What do you do when your child wants to be the opposite sex?

The phrase "boys will be boys" is often used by parents as a throwaway comment to excuse rough-and-tumble games. Delve deeper and you might question why a girl barely out of nappies can't help but rifle through your make-up bag and why your small son insists on brandishing plastic swords and toy guns around the house. But at what stage in childhood does our gender identity become fixed - and what if there is a mismatch with the biological sex we are given?

The fact is that most people conform to the body they are born with, but for a small minority of children, this acceptance can be a daily battle.

Gender identity disorder (GID) is when the biological sex of a person does not match their gender identity, but those with GID often describe it as "feeling trapped inside the body of the wrong sex". According to science, our biological sex is determined by our chromosomes and hormones, but accepting the gender we are given is not always so simple.

Dr Domenico Di Ceglie, a child psychiatrist and founder of Britain's only NHS gender identity development service, at London's Portman Clinic, explains that people with GID have a strong sense of conviction or a wish to belong to the opposite sex.

"Nobody knows for sure what determines this profound sense of perception," he explains. "It could be a whole range of factors working together, involving responses to traumatic events, hormonal influences or different life experiences at critical points of brain development. But what we do know, is that in some children it becomes a permanent feature of their personality that stays with them into adulthood."

It could be argued that it is commonplace for children to have gender issues while they are growing up. Plenty of women recall childhood memories of adopting stereotypically boyish traits such as cutting their hair short or climbing trees.

But, explains clinical psychologist Dr Chris Williams, "girls who are tomboys are demonstrating distinct patterns of behaviour, which is very different to identifying themselves as boys and struggling emotionally to be a girl.

"Our society is much more accepting of girls being tomboys, which involves dressing like boys and engaging in boyish activities," says paediatrician Ilona Bendefy. "As a result, parents may pick up differences in their son's sexual behaviour much sooner than they would for a daughter." Experts tend to agree that the incidence of GID for both sexes may be the same, but the prevalence among girls is less, because society is far more tolerant of male behaviour in females. Perhaps, it is not surprising then, that most children referred to gender clinics are boys. According to research, six times more boys than girls seek guidance on how to overcome such problems.

So how can you tell if your child has a gender identity disorder? Most children develop a clear sense of whether they are boys or girls between the ages of 18 and 30 months. After this age, a period of gender stability occurs and children adopt stereotypical behaviour - starting to dress and play in ways appropriate to their gender identity.

However, children with GID may well show different kinds of behaviour. He or she may insist they belong to the opposite sex. Boys may show a preference for cross-dressing or playing the female role, while girls may adopt masculine clothing and be drawn towards rough-and-tumble games.

They may also show a strong preference for friends of the opposite sex and show signs of discomfort with their own body. For example, boys might be disgusted with their penis and want it to disappear as they grow older, and girls may want to hide away their breasts and vagina.

Although GID is a rare condition, doctors have noticed an increase in referrals to gender clinics.

"Society now has a better recognition of gender issues", says Di Ceglie. "In the past, ideas of identity were less clear or stigmatised, but now children and parents have a framework of naming things and know how to ask for help if such gender questions arise." Although there are no follow-up studies, it has been suggested that in a minority of children, the gender identity disorder will persist and manifest itself as transsexualism in adulthood. Referrals to clinics show that around one in 30,000 adult males and one in 100,000 adult females seek gender reassignment surgery. The remaining children who show signs of GID will develop a homosexual, bisexual or heterosexual orientation as adults.

Although it is still not known what causes GID, it is regarded as a medical condition and one study shows that amniocentesis, which tests for spina bifida in pregnancy, can cause a surge of hormones to the foetus, which in turn, can trigger a hormonal imbalance in the child resulting in GID.

Indeed, Dr Glenn Wilson, from London's Institute of Psychiatry, believes that hormones play a big part in gender identity. "If there is maternal stress during pregnancy, this can block the effect of emasculating or feminising hormones at the point when the foetal brain development is establishing gender identity."

But Dr Di Ceglie is not convinced that GID in childhood can be explained by a simple causal model, but rather by a combination of factors. He cites one case where an eight-year-old boy lived with his aunt from the age of six months and encouraged him to help her with cooking and tidying up the house.

After her sudden death, the little boy developed GID. He played with dolls and fantasised that he was a mother breastfeeding his dolls. At school he wanted to play with girls and avoided rough-and-tumble play.

He could not talk about the death of his aunt for several months, but therapy revealed that his make-believe play was his way of dealing with his loss. Eventually the features of his GID disappeared.

Paul Shaw, whose son is now seven, first noticed signs of GID when Josh was three. "Josh seemed to prefer playing with dolls and make-up rather than cars and planes like his brother, but we put it down to the influence of his younger sister - behaviour we now know are typical signs of GID.

"As Josh got older, we explained the boundaries to him. For school, we encourage him to wear neutral clothes, but at weekends he has free reign and can put on whatever he likes, which is often his favourite floral jeans and make-up."

Finding out what people will accept within your social network and getting advice on how to cope with prejudice is one of the solutions offered by Mermaids, a support group for children and teenagers with GID, which has seen a tenfold increase in inquiries since its formation in 1993. "Just speaking the same language and recognising that there is a particular issue can bring great relief to the child," says Margaret Griffiths, who founded the group when her daughter developed signs of GID.

One of the most common problems reported by parents contacting Mermaids, is that their child is unhappy at school - often because of bullying or feelings of alienation. "Kids are quick to pick up on anything different: a simple hand gesture or even a type of walk can be a dead giveaway," says Griffiths, who remembers when Boy George was asked how he first knew he was different - and he replied, "when other kids told me".

This rings true with Shaw who believes that greater awareness at school is vital to the wellbeing of children like Josh. "People are aware of transsexual adults, but most of us don't make the connection that those adults were once children too," he says. "Teachers and other parents can be unkind to problems they don't understand - after all gender is one of the last taboos."