Transsexuality

A transsexual (sometimes transexual) person establishes a permanent identity with the opposite gender to their assigned (usually at birth) sex. Transsexual men and women make or desire to make a transition from their birth sex to that of the opposite sex, with some type of medical alteration (gender reassignment therapy) to their body. The stereotypical explanation is of a "woman trapped in a man's body" or vice versa, although many in the transsexual community reject this formulation.

Depictions of transsexuality in the media

The pornography industry is notable for its exploitative treatment of pre-operative male-to-female transsexuals, usually referred to by the pornography industry as "shemales" (a term regarded as offensive by many transsexuals). The general depiction is that of transsexuals as freaks, or as "women with a bit more".

Related Topics:
Pornography - Shemale

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However, the mainstream media, after years of insensitive depictions of transsexuals, is now making films with a more serious and nuanced depiction of transsexuals. Films containing depictions of transgender issues include The World According to Garp and The Crying Game. The film Different for Girls is notable for a sensitive depiction of a male-to-female transsexual who meets up with, and forms a romantic relationship with, her male former best friend. One of the newest films is Soldier's Girl which is based on a true story that made national headlines in the U.S.

Related Topics:
The World According to Garp - The Crying Game - Different for Girls

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Television is starting to show transsexuals in a little better light as well. Both of the series Law & Order and Nip Tuck, have had transsexual characters, but they were played by non-TS women. CSI had an episode dealing with a transsexual victim, and they used transsexual actresses and extras for those parts including Dr Marci Bowers and Calpernia Addams. Calpernia Addams has been in numerous movies and television shows. CSI also included a lot of educational information about who transsexuals are, and the hardships they face.

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