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Damazo, Frances Grace P. Anthropology 181

2009-08193 SQ-5

FILM DISCUSSION:Incredible Medical Mysteries: Transsexuality

The documentary featured the controversial world of being a transsexual and it exploresthe theme: ³Gender is an issue of personal identity.´

For so long, the world was dominated with conservative ideologies and stereotyping.Although we are living in a modern world, it cannot be denied that some of these ideals still

persist. Today, we can see that the clamor of women for gender equity is seeing fruition.

However, the world still holds some conservative views about people of the third sex or who wecall lesbians, gays, homosexuals or transsexuals. Sexism, wherein it is the women who weresubjected to, now focuses its lenses on the transsexuals. People had always had gender ideologiesor the beliefs or concepts of society and culture on what a particular gender should and shouldnot look and do. Because of this gender ideology, it forces people to be categorized inside a box.This is the reason why transsexuals have a hard time fitting in: they themselves do not feel athome with their own bodies, and there is added pressure and scrutiny from society.

One example of it is Richard, a pastor in one of the most established parish in America.He was a well-respected preacher, father and husband. But nobody knew except himself thatthere was something different about him. He, like any other homosexual in the 60s, tried toignore it and live a lifestyle that was expected of men. He thought that if he doesn¶t think aboutit, it would just die a natural death. Apparently, it didn¶t. Richard is not alone. Lots of homosexuals are hiding behind their closets for fear of being ridiculed. Especially for people likeRichard who has started a family of his own, admitting that he is a homosexual poses a lot of social implications that are not very good. Another case is of Dhane Pierce, a born female who isnow transforming into a male. She did a lot of things that are demanded from her as a woman.Like what they say, she ³went through the motions´. But it did not feel right. So she started toacknowledge her feelings and began to realize that she was a homosexual. But doing so severedher social relationships.

Both examples from the film point in to one thing: for other people, being a homosexualis one thing. But undergoing surgery to have the genitalia they prefer to feel more at home with

their own bodies is bordering on the extreme.

The documentary tried to shed some light on the issue and help people understand thatTranssexuality is not a mental disease. It is a matter of preference. With the help of medicalscience, homosexuals are given a choice of having sex re-assignment. Through science,transsexuals are given a choice and a chance to finally feel right. To be honest, I was a bitshocked at first. I had no idea of the physical pain they had to endure just to look like the waythey want to. But what is sadder is seeing their emotional pain. For Richard (now Rebecca), he

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had to sacrifice the congregation he loves so much just because its leaders deemed her incapable.They judged him for just a single act: following his heart. People treated him like a pariah,overlooking all the good things he¶d done for them. Because of the film, I truly realized thattranssexuals are not freaks. They are people who have the right to lead a normal life. Beingeducated through the film, I think there should be gender liberation. We have no right to judge

them because we all have our own ways of coping with life. There are those like Mirha Soleilwho got her family¶s support. And nobody ever got hurt by accepting them.

The culture of the transsexuals is colorful and fascinating. It is one of the livingtestaments that our world is full of diversity. And if only we add a little kindness and acceptance,we could create a much nicer world for everyone.

Pick up lines:

y Crayola ka ba? Kasi ang mundo¶y nagiging mas makulay dahil sayo y

Alam mo para kang 2-in-1 coffee.. Nasa iyo na kasi ang lahat.