09-17-2014, 07:46 PM
It's definitely a choice to have gender-reassignment surgery, blueberry. And, it's definitely a choice whether to lie to someone about whether you're physically a male or female when you pursue a romantic relationship with them.
But, personally, I don't think that all transgender individuals are transgender for the same reasons. Some transgender individuals were likely born as identifying with a gender but have the opposite gender's genitalia, as you noted. Others possibly identify themselves as the opposite biological gender primarily due to environmental and psychological influences/factors. There's a lot of research being done in regards to gender identification and there isn't a sole definitive cause that's been identified as being applicable to all transgender individuals.
Anyway, whatever the underlying factors for each individual, it's a personal choice to have any elective surgery and I don't think sound adults should be denied that choice.
But, personally, I don't think that all transgender individuals are transgender for the same reasons. Some transgender individuals were likely born as identifying with a gender but have the opposite gender's genitalia, as you noted. Others possibly identify themselves as the opposite biological gender primarily due to environmental and psychological influences/factors. There's a lot of research being done in regards to gender identification and there isn't a sole definitive cause that's been identified as being applicable to all transgender individuals.
Anyway, whatever the underlying factors for each individual, it's a personal choice to have any elective surgery and I don't think sound adults should be denied that choice.