Facial Feminization Surgery Techniques

Here are a lot of surgical techniques available to feminise a masculine face but not all surgeons use the same techniques to achieve the same results. Here is a rough overview of the main procedures.

Hairline

There are two options for reshaping and bringing forward masculine hairlines.

1: Scalp advance

In a scalp advance an incision is made along the hairline. A section of forehead skin is then removed from in front of the incision and the scalp is lifted and pulled forward to fill the gap. There is a limit to how far the scalp can be moved in one go and two or more separate advances several months apart may be required to achieve the desired result. There is always a visible scar from a scalp advance but how visible will be partly down to luck and partly down to your own tendency to scar. Many patients feel their scar is almost invisible except to people who know what they are looking for. If the surgeon is also doing work on the brow ridge, it can all be done via the same incision.

2: Hair transplants

In a hair transplant a strip of skin is removed from the back and sides of the scalp and all the hair follicles are dissected out (each follicle contains between 1 and 4 hairs). They are then be transplanted to the areas where they are needed and can be used to fill the corners of the male “M”, to bring the hairline forward and to thicken areas where the hair has become thin. There is a limit to how densely the hair can be packed in at one time so more than one procedure may be needed to achieve the desired density.

Forehead

To access the bones of the forehead an incision can be made across the top of the scalp from ear to ear. This means that any scar will be well hidden by your hair. If you are also having a scalp advance then the forehead will be accessed via the hairline incision instead. The skin of the forehead is then pulled down to reveal the bones. The orbital rims are solid bone and can simply be shaved down. The bone over the frontal sinuses is more difficult and there are 3 main options for dealing with it. These options depend on how far the bossing protrudes, how thick the bone is and the preferred techniques of your surgeon. The amount of bossing doesn’t actually tell you how thick the sinus bones are and some people with very little bossing can have thick bone with a small sinus cavity behind it while others with very prominent bossing might have very thin bone with a large sinus cavity behind it. Some surgeons access the bones endoscopically using smaller incisions but with this technique it is only possible to shave down the bones and not to reconstruct the forehead.

Option 1: Shave

If the bones over the frontal sinuses are thick enough then the bossing can simply be shaved down to give a flatter and more female contour.

Option 2: Shave and fill

Shaving alone may not be enough to achieve the desired result especially if the bones over the sinuses are too thin to be shaved down very much. A bone-filler can be used to fill in the indented areas around the bossing like the slightly hollow area that males often have in the centre of the forehead. Some surgeons feel that the shave and fill approach is sufficient to feminise most masculine foreheads; others disagree and prefer the reconstruction approach.

Option 3: Forehead reconstruction

Forehead reconstruction is the most complex technique. The orbital rims are shaved down as before but the bone over the frontal sinuses is first removed then re-shaped before being set back in place with wires or titanium screws. This technique is very powerful and can take a severely male forehead to well within normal female ranges.

An alternative forehead reconstruction technique has been developed by a top Thai surgeon that involves shaving the bones over the sinuses thin enough so that they become flexible and then literally compressing them into the right position.

Note: You may hear foreheads and forehead feminisation procedures classified as “Type I”, “Type II” or “Type III”. These classifications are best avoided as they are not used by all surgeons and the ones that do use them define them slightly differently from each other.

Eyebrows

Eyebrows can be lifted with a “brow lift” procedure. This is done by tightening the muscles attached to the outer third of the eyebrow or lifting the skin of the entire forehead. It can be performed via the incision made for a scalp advance or brow-bossing reduction; otherwise two small incisions are made in the scalp. If a brow lift is overdone it can leave the patient with a “surprised expression.

Nose

Noses can be feminised through standard rhinoplasty techniques. If you are having forehead work you will quite possibly also need a rhinoplasty and vice versa. This is because the nose and forehead need to flow nicely into each other – basically, if you can set back your brow bossing to the ideal position without it actually sitting behind the bridge of the nose and causing a step between the 2, you might be able to have your forehead done without needing a rhinoplasty. Likewise you might be able to have a rhinoplasty without forehead work as long as the changes to the bridge of your nose are not going to cause a step between your nose and forehead. See the links page for more information on rhinoplasty.

Cheeks

Cheek bones can be enhanced either with solid implants, a bone-filler paste or by using fat from another part of the body. Solid implants are available in several shapes and can be placed over or under the cheekbone or lower down near the sides of the nose according to the needs of the patient. Bone-filler is moulded to the desired shape in situ and sets solid. Both these techniques are for enhancing the cheekbones and the Incisions for them are usually made in the gums. If the cheeks need to be fuller and more rounded you can have fat from another part of the body injected into the area. Some of this is reabsorbed and you may need a top-up a few months later. After one or two top-ups, the fat is usually permanent. See the links page for further information on cheek augmentation.

Top lip length

To shorten the distance between the nose and top lip an incision is made just under the nose. A section of skin is then removed and the gap is closed to raise the lip. Depending on the angle of the cut, this can also be used to roll the lip out a little giving it a fuller and more feminine shape. A similar technique involves making an incision along the top edge of the lip, removing a section of skin as above and then closing the gap though any scarring left along the edge of the lip can be very noticeable. There is a limit to how far a lip can be raised if it is to look natural and work properly. The whole section of skin from lip to nose can be angled back slightly if necessary.

Lip shape

There are many different types of implant that can be used to make the lips fuller. These can be natural or synthetic and may be solid or injectable. Not all of them are permanent and not all of them are removable.

Chin

The chin can be changed by shaving the bone to the desired shape or through a procedure called “sliding genioplasty”. In a sliding genioplasty the chin-bone is cut through from front to back to separate a “horseshoe” of bone. This horseshoe can be moved forwards or backwards to correct a receding or protruding chin and sometimes another section of bone is removed altogether so that when the horseshoe is reattached, the chin is shorter. The angle of the original cut also affects the final height of the chin. Implants or bone-filler paste can also be used to correct a receding chin. The incision for chin work is made in the lower gums. Liposuction can also be used under a masculine chin to help remove weight from the lower face.

Jaw

The jawbone can be reduced by bone shaving or cutting and quite a lot of bone can be cut away to round off and narrow the square corners at the back. To make the jaw even narrower the large masseter muscles that attach to the corners can be surgically reduced. Incisions for jaw work are usually made inside the mouth but are occasionally made externally under the jaw. Patients over the age of about 40 often experience some loose skin around the jaw after bone has been removed from the jaw or chin. This can be tightened up a few months after the original procedure with a lower face-lift.

Adam’s apple

The Adam’s apple can be reduced (a procedure often referred to as a tracheal or “trach” shave) but there is a limit to how much can be removed without risking permanent damage to the extremely delicate voice box. Also, the cartilage that forms the Adam’s apple tends to harden with age which may limit the amount that can be removed in an older patient. The incision for a trach shave is either made directly over the Adam’s apple or just under the chin. Trach shaves seem to carry a higher risk of complications than most other FFS procedures and should always be considered very carefully.

Gender Reassignment Surgery

Gender reassignment surgery is no longer the novelty it once was. Thousands of transsexuals, both male-to-female and female-to-male, worldwide have now undergone this procedure. But it is still true that only a small fraction of those people who consider themselves to be transgendered actually go this far. The cost is a major barrier for many people. Others find ways to accommodate their transgender feelings while continuing to live in their birth sex or in some in-between state.

Gender reassignment surgery is expensive, costing thousands or tens of thousands of dollars, depending on which procedures are undertaken. Some governments will cover the entire cost under their medicare programs. Others will cover it partially or not at all.

Surgery is irreversible. Once the original sex organs are removed and new organs constructed, there is no going back. Surgery also renders the patient sterile. Although several surgeons have speculated that it may some day be possible for post-operative transsexuals to be parents, this is not possible today.

Like any surgery, gender reassignment surgery has its dangers. But if one is in good health and follows the surgeon’s guidelines to prepare for the operation, one can expect good results. It is equally important to follow a proper routine after surgery, or much of the surgeon’s work can be undone.

Surgical techniques are constantly evolving. In the ’60s, it took a team of at least two surgeons as long as 12 hours to perform the operations. Results were superficially satisfactory, but patients were not always able to have normal sexual intercourse or experience orgasm.

Today, some surgeons perform male-to-female reassignment surgery in under three hours, with almost no blood loss. And most post-op patients report normal sexual functioning, including orgasms within three months to a year after surgery.

Life is more complicated for female-to male transsexuals. There are several techniques for constructing a new penis and each has its drawbacks. But post-op patients are generally happier now than prior to surgery and some are reporting near-normal sexual functioning.

Male to femaleAlthough each surgeon has his preferred technique, the overall procedure is similar across the board. The testes are removed, an opening is created in the correct spot for the new vagina, the inside of the penis is removed, the skin of the penis is inverted like a glove and used to line the vagina, sensitive parts of the penis are used to create a clitoris, the urethra is shortened and relocated to the appropriate place, the skin of the scrotum is used to create labia.

Some surgeons do this in a single operation. Others prefer to do it in two steps. And sometimes, if there isn’t enough penile skin, a graft is taken from elsewhere to create the vagina.

Some patients also opt for other operations to give themselves a more feminine appearance. These include: breast implants, Adam’s apple shaving, larynx adjustment to raise the voice, removal of the lower ribs to create a narrower waste, facial reconstruction, and hair implants.

Female to maleFemale-to-male patients often undergo more surgery. Typically, the first stage is removal of the breasts to create a normal male chest. This is sometimes done in several operations. The first removes the bulk of the mammary glands and most of the excess skin. The second fine-tunes the result, removing further excess skin and perhaps reducing scars left from the first stage.

The next major surgery is a hysterectomy. This removes the womb, uterus and ovaries.

The final surgery is the creation of a penis along with the relocation of the urethra to the centre of the penis. There are two distinct ways of creating a penis. One utilizes a skin graft, usually from an arm. The other involves building up the clitoris, which is usually enlarged after a patient has been taking male hormones for some time.

Preparation for surgerySurgeons always supply information sheets to patients outlining their specific requirements. In general, one must stop taking hormones about a month prior to surgery. The hormones can raise the risk of surgery. Many patients worry that going off hormones will result in their bodies reverting back to something more like their birth sex, but in fact this can’t happen in such a short time. Many patients do report mood changes, or hot and cold spells, but these are only temporary and disappear when hormones are resumed about a week after surgery.

One must also stop drinking alcohol and not use ASA or any illicit drug. These can all interfere with healing and blood flow.

All surgeons will require that you undergo a complete physical, including a blood test, a month or so prior to surgery. The surgeon will supply you with a list of tests he requires. The presence of any major health condition, such as high blood pressure, obesity, a heart condition or a communicable disease like AIDS could make a patient ineligible for surgery.

Post-surgeryIt is critical that patients follow their surgeon’s advice on post-care procedures. Healing takes a long time and unless one sticks to the routines, results can easily be less than satisfactory.

The first three to five days after surgery are usually spent in hospital. The patient is on pain killers and attached to a catheter. One can be up and walking in three days, but no strenuous activity is permitted.

After about five days, patients are more mobile and can reduce pain killers a little. For male-to-female patients, catheters come out at about a week and dilation begins. For female-to-male patients, the catheter may remain in place for several weeks, depending on which surgical technique was used.

Patients return home about ten days after surgery, but this can vary from surgeon to surgeon. Pain fades within a month and one can return to work after about two months, although some discomfort may remain for several more months.

Full healing can take six months to a year. Some patients find they have swelling or numbness that is more of an irritant than an impediment to functioning. Certainly, a year after surgery, one should feel normal and function normally.

SurgeonsThere are only a handful of surgeons worldwide offering gender reassignment surgery. I don’t recommend any one surgeon or surgical procedure. It is important to investigate any surgeon you are considering. Ideally, you should talk to former patients to get their take on the surgery. If a doctor isn’t willing to put you in touch with former patients, be wary.

Also be wary of trying to find the perfect vagina or perfect penis. Everyone is different and any given surgeon will achieve different results with each patient. Age, genes and your health will partly determine the results you get. But you should expect that you function normally after surgery and that at least superficially you look as if you were born with the new plumbing.

Check list of surgeons. The U.K., The United States and Austral-Asia and please feel free to contact them, either via their Web sites or by mail or phone. Surgeons will often send information kits if you request it. If you contact the Canadian surgeons by phone, don’t worry if one of the secretaries answers in French, they all speak English as well.

Winnipeg Transgender Group – 2006

Older Transgender Adults Face Unique Challenges

Current older transgender adults came of age during a time when they would have been even more pathologized and stigmatized than today. So, many did not even come out, instead keeping their identities hidden for decades and many are now coming out and transitioning later in life. While the older transgender population shares some of same obstacles frequent in the broader older LGBTI+ population, there are some differences. Since the older growing transgender population exists, there is a critical need to know the challenges that pose threats to their overall health and well-being.

Our current Aging Services Network is not equipped to provide decent and non-discriminatory services to older adults who are transgender, even though it provides a variety of services for older adults in general such as legal help, educational activities, meals and transportation. Older transgender adults have unique needs, and there are not many providers who offer outreach and training specifically to help the transgender population. As a result, many older transgender adults are not getting needed support, and they’re often hesitant to seek services at all.

Barriers due to a lack of clinical and cultural competence regarding transgender people and their health needs, and discrimination and bias, prevent quality care. This, along with financial barriers, means that many older transgender adults delay or avoid seeking medical care. This specific care is frequently excluded from private and public insurance plans. Declining health is a result of the inability to access important and needed care. Preventative and other medical care older transgender adults need is often denied due to the their exclusion from plans.

Transgender people report higher rates of depression, anxiety, loneliness, suicidal ideation, disability and general poor health. As a consequence, many elderly transgender people have severe health concerns as they enter their later years without community and social support that is desperately needed.

Other barriers older transgender people face are in the areas of employment and housing discrimination, violence, privacy, and social support.

Supporting a Partner going through Gender Transition

Gender transition can be equally as stressful on relationships as it can before the individual. Recognizing and caring for the difficulty of this process can help maintain a strong relationship with a partner.

Immediately, understand they are going to feel a lot of stress. They may be questioning their decision, which can bring up issues from the past and other complex identity questions. It’s important for anyone whose partner is going through gender transition to be supportive and to show their support in a way that will help the partner feel soothed and loved.

Before your partner starts hormone replacement therapy, if you so have the option, research what side effects they may encounter. There are some myths even in the transgender community of how taking hormones will affect a person. For instance, some believe that taking testosterone will make one become aggressive or more libidinous. But in fact, they will mostly be the same person. Read up on reliable, medical websites, go to the doctor with your partner, do some deep research in the library and get all the facts. Make sure you know what’s true, and what is just a myth, because misunderstandings can cause communication problems. This is a time when you want to be supportive of your partner, not arguing with them.

Some worry that they won’t be accepted by friends, or the community, or won’t be able to related to self-representations in media because no community, characters or personalities will fit. Instead, make sure that your partner has the opportunity and support to reach out to the people that are closest to them. Invite them over. Have a party. Show support and love. Let them see and feel that it’s not the community they identify with but the people who are closest to them that will really matter, and who will really support them.

Be okay with your partner’s new identity. The transition is not instantaneous or full. But come to be okay with how they will be, intend to be, knowing the essential core components of who they are will always be there. Practice referring to your lover in the pronoun they prefer, and have them say it for themselves as well. Understand their family situation and be sympathetic. Be available to help them with any caregiving they need, including their injections.

If you really love your partner, embrace this phase of their life. Be sure to find out who your supportive people are and take of yourself as well.

10 Things Transgender Men Would Like You To Know

Transgender persons exist in a subculture within a subculture, one that, in the mainstream, is not always well-accepted or even simply understood. To be a trans ally, to be considerate of the lives and social experience of trans individuals, might require that you reevaluate your relationship with the transgender individuals in your life. Trans men, specifically, have a distinct experience from trans women — here is what you should know:

You’re guilty by association.
You’ll have more questions asked about them than they will. This is because people who are curious and confused will often feel more free to ask someone for information when they feel that the person shares a similar experience. You should talk to your trans friend about what they’re comfortable with you sharing in these situations. If the case is that they prefer not to be outed, tell them simply that it’s not your place to answer those questions. If they’re open about their transition, try to find out how to answer or divert these questions.

“But you’ll always be _____ to me” is hurtful.
It’s one thing seeing a relative you haven’t since they were a small child, saying they’ll always be so-and-so to you, but different when relating with a transgender person. Telling your friend that you still see them as someone other than who they are is hurtful.

Outing someone can be incredibly dangerous.
There is an overwhelming amount of ignorance/hatred toward trans people, despite some media and support. Hundreds of transgender people are murdered yearly; there are no and/or failed protection laws in place. Even if you think talking about your transgender friend in public is OK, the wrong person could overhear this and tell another friend, and that friend tells another–this could lead to some serious danger.

The dysphoria is not your fault.
You might feel like you’re responsible for their happiness, but sometimes their sadness comes from a place you’ll never be able to reach. Trying to make your friend feel better by telling them you love their breasts, or you like them just the way they are, isn’t necessarily supportive. It means you’ve created an image of who they are that doesn’t match up with reality.

It’s not the “T”.
It’s a huge moment in life to begin hormone replacement therapy. Your friend might lash out afterwards and blame it on the testosterone. They’re aware of the emotional changes that happen and realize their mood swings/imbalance are theirs to control.

Don’t walk on eggshells.
It’s easy to get hung up on words and just avoid conversations as a result. You’re there for your friend and it shows that you care. Many transgender people lose or don’t have a support system when they come out…the fact that you’re with them is meaningful.

Don’t date them despite their trans status.
Make sure you are interested in dating them for who they are, not despite their transgender status. You’re not doing them any favors by being interested in them ‘even though’ they’re transgender.

Don’t talk behind their back.
Talk to them about it; learn their

Pronouns are mean a lot.
They have likely chosen a new name and have preferred gender pronouns. Learn them. Sure, you might mess up in the beginning, but it’ll be obvious when you genuinely care and are trying!

Being A Better Trans Ally: Gender Pronouns

Many of us are so used to having conversations that involve a limited amount of pronouns that we take for granted (he/she, his/her, they/theirs) because (when speaking English) we must assign a gender when we’re speaking about one person. We need to understand that others, particularly trans people, ask to be referred to by different pronouns than we might assume we should use.

Singular pronouns such as “ze” and “hir” are the more common new ones for those not wishing to use “he” or “she”. Changing pronouns can be a significant part of coming out as trans. This can sometimes cause a lot of emotional pain when they’re met with negative responses, even violence. Here are some major reasons why it is incredibly important to use the correct gender pronouns as a trans ally:

We’re helping shape our culture with language

Language is very powerful and we often take the words we use for granted, passing them off as insignificant, gender pronouns included. Language spreads more quickly than ever now due to Internet and social media sites. We are validating and making visible those who wish to be described and identified in a way that doesn’t fit into a strict gender binary. Using the correct gender pronouns, even when we’re not with our loved one, is important and respectful.

We’re showing respect to their reality

Trans people are often told what’s best for them by doctors, politicians, schools, and anyone else who wants to deny their reality with a gender pronoun or name that invalidates who they really are. It’s not up to us to decide who they are, but to show them the same respect we would want in life.

We’re holding the media responsible

The media frequently ignores the requests of trans people who state their gender pronoun preference. Many allies and activists have prompted change in news organizations, leading them to change their protocol on gender pronouns. It’s important to keep using our voices.

We’re fighting transphobia and sexism

In our culture, it’s seen as bad or wrong to not fit within the male/female binary, acting outside of the gender of which our culture assigns us. It’s not up to others to assign anything to us — and we need to realize that if we’re not transgender, and bring clarity to the obvious lack of understanding surrounding these cultural differences. If you support gender equality, you’re playing a big part in walking the talk by being a trans ally.

We’re educating the community

It’s normal for some folks, activists included, to be confused by different pronouns. It’s important to learn them and then be patient as we’re educating others. As allies, if we consistently use terms that are a true reflection of a person’s gender, we’re not only educating by example, we’re encouraging use of the proper terms by others in the community. If it seems like a lot of work, just remember, it’s completely necessary and worth our attention.

Sexuality a Difficult thing for Trans People

Though most people take sex and sexuality for granted, it can be a difficult anxiety-ridden experience for trans people. First, the ignorance of the medical community has made trans people wary of how they are perceived. There are things that need to be said, red tape and bureaucratic hoops that one has to jump through to get access to hormone therapy. That is something many trans people believe helps them physically be who they feel they are inside.

Today, the trans community looks out for one another and tells the younger members what to do to survive. For trans women, one of the major issues with hormone therapy is that it often blocks patients sex drive. However, they also feel judged emotionally for wanting sex in the first place, as our society still isn’t comfortable with the female libido or female sexual expression. Sometimes these issues or the journey one has made can be things that can come between a trans person and their lover. Instead of concentrating on the other person, the ghosts of these conversations and experiences can haunt a person.

The next problem is their genitalia. Trans people wonder whether or not their partners will be understanding, interested, has a fetish or will be disgusted by how they look. These complications can cause anxiety. Also, if the person likes something but women aren’t supposed to like that thing, more confusion can be brought into the mix, which doesn’t really help matters.

When trans people are interested in someone, they have to talk to them know about their situation, which can become embarrassing. It can raise a red flag; suddenly a hook up isn’t so simple anymore. The person may wonder if the other is squeamish about seeing them naked. Though many people have felt this way, it’s a different matter when your sex organs don’t match your gender preference.

If you are going to be with a trans person, don’t automatically assume that you should talk about everything, establish some rapport first. Open the lines of communication, feel things out, and make them comfortable. Find out what they do and don’t like, tell them your preferences. It’s like being with any other lover. Just try to let them know that their situation is more than okay with you.

Getting Hold of Transsexual Hormone Replacement Therapy

Transsexual hormone replacement therapy helps those who feel they were born in the wrong body transition to what they feel is their proper sex. Many transgender feel discrimination for not having an easily distinguished gender. Hormone therapy helps them easily blend in and not become a target for discrimination.

Those who live near a metropolitan area should be able to gain access to hormone replacement therapy rather easily. First, make sure you are mentally prepared to take the theerapy. If you are severely dysphoric, you may need to seek the help of a certified mental health professional; preferably one that you trust and has experience assisting with someone in your situation. If you are on a constrained budget, try looking into LGBTI advocacy groups in your area that may be able to offer help. Also consider universities in your vicinity, as many offer psychological services on a sliding scale.

Doubting one’s transsexuality may cause psychological issues when hormone therapy begins to change your body. Always consult a physician about hormone therapy before you begin but throughout the process. You need to be carefully monitored to make sure no abnormalities occur. Think of all the questions you have, do thorough research and be sure to ask your doctor. Remember to advocate for your health when you don’t think you are being heard or your questions are not being answered.

Avoid healthcare providers that go by the Harry Benjamin Standards of Care guidelines drafted by the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), or what was originally known as the Harry Benjamin International Gender Dysphoria Association (HBIGDA). Therapist intervention levels are high with these guidelines and without meeting these standards, they may block your access to hormone therapy. There are many doctors out there who require these Standards of Care before even approaching your case.

There is another set of guidelines that will give you easier access to hormone therapy with little to no therapist’s intervention. Instead look for doctors and clinics who stick to the Tom Waddell Standards; like a physician in the free clinics in San Francisco. Dr. Tom Waddel personally penned these standards from his own experiences with the transgendered. While you may have to attend group meetings, the standards he implements are very straight forward.

It can be difficult finding a particular clinic’s standards. The best advice is to ask others in the transgender community. Find out which doctor or doctors they used and who they recommend. You can also check the internet for clinics in your area that provide hormone therapy. Just remember to get official help, as too little or too many hormones in the body can cause many serious health problems.

First Transgender Islamic School in Pakistan

A madrasah “islamic school” for trans people was opened for the first time in Pakistan.

Rani Khan, who taught the Koran in the first madrasah for transgender people in a country where the ‘third gender’ was officially recognized and the Transgender People (Protection of Rights) Act passed parliament in 2018, said, “Most families do not accept transsexuals. They throw them out of their homes. “I was one of them, too,” said.

Islamabad Deputy Commissioner Hamza Shafqaat said that the madrasa can help trans people to participate actively in society and said, “I hope things will be better if this model is implemented in other cities.”

In Pakistan, where trans rights are legally protected, LGBTI+ individuals are still discriminated against. In the census conducted in 2017, it was recorded that approximately 10 thousand trans people lived in Pakistan. Trans rights groups stated that in the country with a population of 220 million, this number may now be over 300 thousand.

Previously, a madrasah for trans people was opened in Dhaka, the capital city of Bangladesh.

Trans Woman Killed in Izmir

It was learned that a trans woman, whose body was found wrapped in a blanket, was killed by hitting the head with a hard object in the Bornova district of Izmir.

When the bad odors started coming from the apartment of the trans woman using the name “Miraş Güneş”, who had not been heard from her for a while and who was filed for disappearance by his relatives, the residents of the building reported the situation to their relatives.

While it was learned that Yüksel was killed by shooting his head with a hard object, crime scene investigation teams made examinations inside the house.

It was determined that Yüksel lost his life after the checks carried out by the healthcare teams upon the notification.

After the prosecutor’s investigations, Yüksel’s lifeless body was taken to the morgue of the Izmir Forensic Medicine Institute for autopsy.

Izmir/Turkey

Acid Attack Against Syrian Trans Woman in Istanbul

In Beyoğlu, Istanbul, a man attacked to a Syrian trans woman with acid.

It was learned that the woman who was taken to the hospital had vision loss in one eye.

Injured trans woman was taken to the “Okmeydanı Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşcıoğlu” city hospital.

The person who attacked the woman and claimed to be the man she left a while ago has not been caught yet.

On the other hand, a trans woman visited the attacked trans woman in the hospital and posted a video from her Instagram account.

According to the news in DHA, she stated that the trans woman was 17 years old and that the attack took place in front of the woman’s door.

She said, “There was a loss of vision in one eye, it was said that there was no hospital for burn treatment, and a doctor from the general surgery department refused to give me information.”

Understanding Transgenderism

The prefix ‘trans’ comes from the Latin word for across, so ‘transgender’ literally means “across gender” (Huffington Post). This is an umbrella term with people of various types attached. Since gender is such an important part of identity in most cultures, it’s difficult for a transgender person to “come out” to someone. It takes a lot of trust and courage. If someone comes out to you, show them the utmost sympathy, ask them questions and find out more. If they begin to feel uncomfortable about your questions, give them some slack. Also, be there for them and let them know that you recognize how difficult it was for them to come out.

We have a dichotomous society when it comes to gender, which divides into whats called, “the gender binary”. We decide restrooms to use on our gender, what clothes to wear and how to act. Though this is simple and accepted by most people, this makes life very difficult to navigate for the transgender community.

“Gender identity” or “gender expression” is another complicated matter for transgender individuals. Though we often think we can tell, clothing is not always an accurate indicator of gender. What’s underneath may be far different then what is believed.

The moment of self-realization can take many forms for a transgendered person. Often times it takes them a while to figure out which sex they self-identify with. Many people are led to act a certain way by their parents, or they do what they think they need to do to fit in, but everyone’s situation is different. A person may be in denial for years or know all along that they felt more like one gender than the other. Many in this community continue to deny signs of what they feel is their proper gender. Surgery usually needed to become one distinct gender, but still some don’t need it. This “gender assignment” surgery helps people become on the outside, what they feel they are on the inside.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Transgender Children: Making The Change Early

While not a common issue, growing up feeling like your body is the wrong gender is a struggle. About 700,000 people in the U.S., or 0.3% of the population identify as transgender in 2014. This often translates into stress for individuals and families because society has rigid guidelines for how it identifies an individual’s gender. In a shocking 2013 study, 41 percent of 6,400 transgender respondents claimed to have attempted suicide. Becoming who we feel we are is a very important journey; one seven-year-old A.J. (who’s name has been changed for privacy concerns) would go on much sooner than the average person.

A.J. was originally born a boy, but not long after A.J. turned 3, things started to changed. At the time, he wanted longer hair. Mother, Debi, claimed A.J. “screamed and fought when I got out the clippers and got one cut down the side … there were tears… like torture.” He did not feel comfortable in his clothes, frequently telling his parents he wanted to wear dresses and jewelery. The victim of constant harassment, A.J. said “When I first, in the fourth grade, cut my hair they called me he-she.”

At 4 years old, A.J.’s parents took her to their pediatrician, who declared the then boy’s gender identity did not align with her then body. While much happier now, her (A.J.) parents expressed great difficulty with the transition. Many of A.J.’s childhood friends have been distanced. Her parents have transferred her to a new school and guarded her transgender status with secrecy; something they plan to continue to do, fearing the discrimination their daughter could face.

A.J.’s story is truly a testimony of the power of love and family. Her family are not only Southern Baptists, they are also Republican and generally do not support things like transitional surgery/therapy. A.J.’s mother says they are in no way pushing a liberal agenda, and was quoted stating, “There is a profound difference between wanting to be something in imaginary play and in declaring who you are insistently, consistently and persistently. Those are three markers that set transgender children apart, and my daughter displayed all of them.”

Of transgenderism, A.J.’s dad said, “It’s not something we asked for. It’s not something we wanted. It just happened. My thought process all along is I would rather have a happy, healthy little girl than a suicidal, dead son.”

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Turkish Police Detained Trans Women in Istanbul

Turkey Women’s Movement, met the day before the March 8 International Women of Kadikoy. As they dispersed after the action, trans activists were stopped by the police and asked to be taken into custody. Trans women got into taxis after other protesters prevented their detention. However, trans women were detained in taxis that were stopped by the police.

Police took strict security measures during the demonstration. Some banners were not allowed.

The 8 March Women’s Platform announced that, Havin Özcan and Yıldız İdil Şen were detained.

It was learned that a total of 6 people, 1 of whom was a journalist, were detained.

On Friday, before March 8, International Women’s Day, women gathered in Istanbul to prevent femicides, end violence and effectively implement the Istanbul Convention.

After the Bosphorus protests, there is a harsh attitude towards LGBTI people. LGBTI banners were not allowed in the action held yesterday in Beşiktaş on Friday.

Harry Potter Game will Allow Players to Create Trans Characters

The forthcoming Harry Potter game Hogwarts: Legacy will allow players to create trans characters, according to a new report.

The news comes after the author of the Harry Potter novel series, JK Rowling, has faced repeated accusations of transphobia relating to her social media activity.

Hogwarts Legacy, announced last year, is set to be published in 2022 by Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment Inc, and is developed by Avalanche Software.

According to Bloomberg, people “familiar with the game’s development” have revealed that players will be able to customise their character’s “voice, body type and gender placement” in a bid “toward inclusivity”.

While it’s becoming increasingly common for video games to allow the creation of characters that fall outside of the cisgender binary, the report claimed that the development team’s push for inclusivity was motivated in part by the controversy surrounding Rowling.

Rowling’s comments “rattled some people working on the game,” the report alleged. “As a result, some members of the Hogwarts Legacy development team have fought to make the game as inclusive as possible, pushing for the character customisation and even for a transgender character to be added.”

Removing Health Stereotypes Within The Trans Community

A recent study published in the journal of LGBT Health (Mary Ann Liebert, Inc., 2014), reported findings that reveal health disparities among the transgender community within the U.S. These studies involved comparing transgender participants to non-transgender, otherwise known as cisgender, participants.

The common assumption is that the transgender community suffers from more cases of sexually transmitted diseases, along with other physical and mental health problems, than their cisgender counterparts. What has been missing, however, is an adequate comparison of transgender and cisgender participants from similar cultural and geographical backgrounds, thus eliminating those influencing factors.

This study provided important information regarding the overall health and wellness of the transgender community and helped combat the stereotype that those within this community are more likely to have STDs. Coming from the same geographical and cultural backgrounds, the transgender and cisgender communities had an equal amount of sexual transmitted diseases. The common factor among individuals with a higher presence of sexual and mental health issues, therefore, was the urban culture they came from; with economic status and cultural background being the most reoccurring commonality.

Research studies such as this help disprove findings based on limited comparisons and narrow views that don’t take other important factors into consideration. It’s hoped that with time better research methods will help the health stigma placed on the transgender community be demolished.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – April 2014

Many Transgender People Are Completely Avoiding Doctors

It can be difficult for many individuals to have discussions about their sexual history with a physician. It’s not uncommon for people to consider it uncomfortable. But, for many transgender people, the conversation never happens because they do not seek out health care, according to Adrian Juarez, PhD, a public health nurse and assistant professor in the University at Buffalo School of Nursing.

A preliminary study (“Examining the Role of Social Networks on Venue-Based HIV Testing Access and Decision Making in an Urban, Transgendered Population”) that examined health-based decision making and access to HIV testing in urban, transgender populations, showed that many transgender individuals withheld from pursuing necessary care due to social stigma and lack of affordability.

“There is evidence that health care providers do tend to be judgmental, and it’s unwelcoming,” says Juarez. Of course, people are not going to visit health care providers if they fear that they’re going to face discrimination and stigma.

The results of the study are especially cause for concern because, according to a 2009 report from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), about one third of transgender people in the U.S. are HIV positive. And, transgender women of color are even more at risk of HIV infection. According to the NIH study, more than 56 percent of black transgender women are HIV positive.

Among other reasons, an inability to afford medical care is keeping transgender patients away from doctors. Transgender people are more than twice as likely to be homeless and four times more likely to experience extreme poverty (compared to the general population)…having a household income of less than $10,000 per year. This data comes from a 2011 report from the National Center for Transgender Equality. It’s not as if it’s easy for transgender people to get work, either. According to the National Center for Transgender Equality, out of more than 6,000 transgender people surveyed in the nation, 90 percent said they were subject to mistreatment, harassment, and discrimination at work.

If a transgender person does happen to visit a healthcare provider, some doctors are not informed on how to properly treat the patients. Juarez says, “It puzzles me how doctors will still refer to trans individuals by their biological name. That’s their identity.”

The line between identifying and biological gender can be blurry in healthcare settings. For example, transgender men still need Pap smears and transgender women need prostate screenings, but some health care providers might not offer these tests in order to keep from making suggestions that go against the patient’s identified gender. There is an urgent need to address stigmatization and provide health care professionals education on how to appropriately and compassionately treat transgender patients.

7 Ways To Improve Healthcare For The Transgender Patient

Many healthcare workers lack the training to deal with the unique issues the transgender community faces. While others disapprove of the lifestyle of the LGBT community for one reason or another. This can compromise the patients’ care.

That’s according to a study in LGBT Health that discusses the issues the transgender patient faces and measures that can be taken by providers to improve care.

The transgender population struggles with social stigmas and rejection, and this experience has compounded in some medical settings, according to the study. The lack of cultural competency and knowledgeable physicians interferes with the patients’ ability to receive compassionate, knowledgeable and nonjudgmental healthcare. Awkward doctor-patient interactions occur because many physicians lack training in transgender healthcare issues, such as how to approach the gender identity of the patient.

This is a problem because more than 7,000 transgender patients postpone medical care due to the discrimination they face, according to the National Transgender Discrimination Survey. This group is at an increased risk for HIV infection and its related illnesses like depression, anxiety, suicide and substance abuse.

Healthcare facilities and workers at these organizations can take steps to improving transgender care by conducting an education campaign.

Here are some ideas on how to start:

Schedule a series of lectures from healthcare workers with specific training in transgender healthcare.
Hold consumer panels with transgender individuals.
Conduct cultural-sensitivity trainings.
Make resources about transgender healthcare available to workers whether online or via printed materials.
Post LGBT-friendly signs and welcome information at the facility and on the organization’s websites.
Signal in your publications that your physicians are comfortable with transgender patients and knowledgeable about their unique care.
Review office documents and update them accordingly to respectfully address the complex issue of gender identity, such as providing gender-neutral or transgender-inclusive terminology.

The cultural sensitivity provided at your healthcare facility can minimize barriers so transgender patients receive the care that they need. The study believes it will help prevent further health complications, build rapport within the transgender community and diminish healthcare delays.

Dr. M. Mirza, LGBT Health Wellness – 2014

Transgender Activists & Radical Feminists Battle On Social Media

There’s something trending on Twitter but also offline. Both transgender activists, and feminists who do not view trans women as women are debating online and on college campuses.

#TERFs (trans exclusionary radical feminists is a hashtag being used and is a pejorative term used on Twitter to describe anti-trans feminists. Anti-sex work, anti-porn, anti-trans feminists seem to be reappearing from the 1970’s. Many wonder why.

An open letter published in the Guardian of London and the Observer that claimed those who expressed opinions regarded as “transphobic” were being censored on England’s college campuses triggered a significant debate on social media. The letter posted revealed a strong hostility that many wouldn’t be aware of unless they were in specific activist or academic circles, that is occurring between transgender activists and a certain group of feminists who do not believe transgender women are ‘real’ women. Beliefs they hold include, transgender women should not be let into feminist events or female bathrooms. Some of these women are even doxing transgender teens, which means they are revealing their identities to the public online.

These radical feminists have been nicknamed “the Westboro Baptist Church of feminism”, referring to the church known for its hate speech that pickets at funerals of LGBTQ people. Urban Dictionary has a definition listed, which describes them as “group of feminists that claims that trans women aren’t really women, as biological determinism is only a fallacy when it used against them, not when they use it against others.”

One of the loudest anti-trans feminists is Germaine Greer, a 1970’s feminist who wrote the book “The Female Eunuch”. Greer, now 76, has said that transgender women are a “ghastly parody”, that they are men with “delusions” who use their male privilege to sneak their way into the feminist movement. She believes that transgender women don’t know what it is to “have a big, hairy, smelly vagina”.

Some people regard this as transphobic hate speech and connected to essentialist ideas regarding sex that have been challenged since around the 1990’s, when debate was shifted from sex to gender and its social construction.

It seems that that, according to the “TERFs”, one must be a woman who has suffered sexism in order to be a feminist. Thankfully, present day feminists tend to believe this is an outdated and narrow-minded approach. More and more people are understanding the importance of inclusion, and not rigid definitions about what it means to be a man or a woman. Hopefully this will only continue.

Dr. M. Mirza, lgbt health wellness .com – 2015

Male To Female Before And After Photos

Transsexuality is when a person adopts a different gender identity by not feeling belonging to their assigned gender. Transsexuality refers to a person’s gender identity, so it should not be confused with sexual orientation. A transgender person may have sexual orientations such as heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual or asexual.

Transgender people, if they wish, can get medical help when making a permanent transition to the gender they define. During this transition period, practices such as hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery aim to adapt their bodies to the gender they are defined.

Transsexuality is seeing and feeling as a different gender in the inner world rather than one’s behavior. Therefore, it is not possible to determine transsexuals by their appearance. Because they do not always reflect on their external appearance that they feel different sex. Unlike transvestism, other than clothing, physical appearance and behavior, some of the transsexuals undergo gender reassignment surgery and switch to different gender socially and legally.

Trans Woman “Transgender Woman, Transsexual Woman, MTF, M2F, Male To Female…” is a term used for transgender women. Gender assignment at the birth of a person is the name given to people who are male, but who define themselves as female. Trans women can be heterosexual, gay, lesbian, bisexual or asexual.

Many transgender people share their photos before and after the gender transition process.

I am sharing some of the before and after trans women photos I found on the internet.