XVII Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association Symposium
31 October - 4 November 2001, Galveston, Texas, U.S.A.

Trauma in the Transgender Community

LEV, S. SUNDANCE U.S.A.
Co-author: Moonhawk River Stone (U.S.A.)
E-mail: Proj6@nyscasa.orgm

Childhood trauma, sexual assault, domestic violence, transphobia and homophobia are five ways that many transgendered and transsexual people are impacted by post-traumatic stress disorder, and dissociative disorders. Often trauma goes unacknowledged and untreated due to diagnosis of other axis 1 and axis 2 disorders. However, many of these axis 1 or axis 2 disorders are the symptomology and/or sequelae of traumatic events. It is the presenters’ view that a person’s untreated trauma will limit the successful resolution of a person’s gender identity issues and also negatively impact any gender transition the person may undertake.

This workshop will examine the diverse and unique ways these stated five vectors impact transgender and transsexual people. Further, it will provide participants a framework for diagnosis and treatment of such trauma vis-à-vis the client’s gender identity issues.