Transgenderism talk by Brenda Alegre

Unexpectedly, I became truly interested with the talk that Brenda Alegre gave last October 17, 2008. I thought I would just be listening to what transgenderism means and all, but a part of me was awoken. There is a distinction between transgenders, homosexuals, bisexuals, and the likes. Of course I learned about this way back when I was taking up Developmental Psychology. But, this is the first time I hear someone who has actually undergone the “transformation” as I may call it.

She (as I know she would want us to call her) spoke through experience. She shared to her audience some of the usual things she does. During the course of her talk, in my own understanding I could summarize it in two points. The first thing she talked about was the difference between sex and gender. From what she had mentioned, and maybe what most of us know already, biological sex is based entirely on the genitalia of a person. If you have a penis, you are a male. If vagina, then a female. She pointed out very clearly that there is no such thing as a third sex. And another thing, there should also be no “order” in sex. I mean, it only dawned upon me that day that it was really senseless to have used the term “third sex”. If that was the case, then perhaps there is a first sex? A second sex? If so, who comes first? Male or female? Of course, all of us would take sides. A lot of issues would interfere. And so I agree with Ms.Alegre, there is no first, second and especially a third sex. I would only come to believe that there is such a thing if scientist could discover another type of genitalia. And so anyway, she also defined gender identity, which is the cores sense of being male, female, or a place in between. Gender identity also does not have to conform to the biological sex. In this case, the ones who would feel that they are female though born male, can own up to the “female” status. No one could dictate their genders anyway. Gender expression was discussed as well by Brenda. This is the external characteristics and behaviors that are socially constructed as male or female. With this it includes the clothing style of a person, demeanor, speech patterns, etc. No one is allowed as well to judge someone by their looks. People are free to express whatever or whoever they are. For this matter, Brenda had emphasized the difference of a tomboy to a lesbian. A tomboy is merely a gender expression, where a female acts or dresses sort of like a male. However it does not mean that they are attracted to the same sex. That’s where lesbianism comes in, which leads us to sexual orientation. It is described as to whom one is attracted, to a male or female. Terms such as homosexuals, heterosexuals and bisexuals come in.

Brenda also shared the process of Sex Rearrangement. It was graphic. Really graphic. I was grateful that I was seated far back. There are different surgeries one has to go through before they truly become one of the other sex. In the Philippines though, she said that it has not been mastered yet. For male to female surgery, it includes breast augmentation, adam’s apple shaving, voice surgery and face and body feminization. For female to male, it would include chest masculinization, hysterectomy, clitoris release and phalloplasty. Before undergoing all these, one should have a psychiatric test so that the doctors are assured that the person is psychologically prepared and decided for this. Because after going through it, there is no turning back.

I was very enlightened by the talk. And it didn’t seem to be that heavy for me to carry all those information I got that day. And yes, I have found new respect for transgenders. They deserve to be treated with respect. They are not the usual “gay people” you mostly see. They went through a whole lot more than that to become who they feel and know they are.