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Original poster

The Composition and Demographics of the Growing Trans Population

237 replies

Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 08:48

It seems that every week ( even as reported in just my local tabloid newspaper) the 'transitioning' population increases, and the Transgender Umbrella ( as determined by Stonewall) provides shelter for a very wide range of demographic of people.

Yet it seems to me ( would be interesting to see statistics) that apart from young women ( mainly lesbians) transitioning to male...the largest and most rapidly accelerating group is that of older 'cross dressing' males. Most often heterosexual or married, and quite often having been in, or performed, an archetypal macho or traditionally masculine role or occupation ( been in the military etc).

This is not only as evidenced by the growing number of reports in my local newspaper, but from my own observations on the street and around town: www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/transgender-woman-agreed-cannabis-plot-17604909

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Mayomaynot · 22/01/2020 10:31

These are the stats from GIDs (Gender Identity Development Service) on the numbers of children transitioning by sex and age:

gids.nhs.uk/number-referrals

stillathing · 22/01/2020 09:42

Women and girls will most often self harm. Maybe MTF suffering from PTSD see transitioning to female as an act of self abnegation?

Yes. And actually that's reminded me of the other striking imbalance - that of the young females having mastectomies etc vs the majority of intact males. But maybe the view is that "becoming female" is self harm in itself because female is thought of as less than by society?

Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:29

When I looked at the relative numbers of autogynephilic and androphilic gender-dysphoric males back in 1987, the autogynephilic cases were already a majority, approaching 60 percent. The proportion had reached 75 percent by 2010, and it might be even higher now ( Ray Blanchard)

Blanchard certainly seems to suggest that by far the largest group of gender dysphoric males is the AGP group - and growing. That certainly accords with my observations.

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Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:25

I very much doubt that the prevalence of autogynephilia per se, or the prevalence of autogynephilic gender dysphoria, has increased. I think that what has changed is the proportion of autogynephilic trans who have “come out” to their families, friends, and employers, not the total number of autogynephilic trans Forty years ago, an autogynephile’s decision to transition to the female role often had negative consequences in the personal and employment spheres. Now that decision is as likely to get them praised for courage as it is to get them criticised for selfishness and irresponsibility ( Ray Blanchard)

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Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:24

For example many middle aged women who have been physically or sexually abused in the past will be sufferers

Women and girls will most often self harm. Maybe MTF suffering from PTSD see transitioning to female as an act of self abnegation?

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Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:19

"At present, many heterosexual MTFs—in their own view, lesbian trans women—police online forums ceaselessly for any mention of autogynephilia If a newcomer posts that he thinks that autogynephilia describes his own experience, they will quickly let him know that this is wrongthink and that autogynephilia does not exist. It is therefore hard to get any sense of how many autogynephilic gender dysphorics privately think that autogynephilia describes their own experience because stating that online will produce scorn and other negative reactions"

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stillathing · 22/01/2020 09:15

That's am interesting observation rick and I don't disagree.

I would add though that ptsd is thought to be massively under-diagnosed. For example many middle aged women who have been physically or sexually abused in the past will be sufferers. Yet it is striking how few middle aged women believe they can escape the "weakness" of being a woman by transitioning to a male identity.

Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:14

An outside observer who was allowed to have such thoughts might think that some of the groups are being used as shields by the group with the most power

Yes, that is increasingly my suspicion. Some very vulnerable people out there...especially children and young adults.....and then also some much older people who know how to manipulate and pull strings.

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Original poster
Justhadathought · 22/01/2020 09:13

^There’s a critical difference between autogynephilia and most other sexual orientations: Most other orientations aren’t erotically disrupted simply by being labeled. When you call a typical gay man homosexual, you’re not disturbing his sexual hopes and desires. By contrast, autogynephilia is perhaps best understood as a love that would really rather we didn’t speak its name. The ultimate eroticism of autogynephilia lies in the idea of really becoming or being a woman, not in being a natal male who desires to be a woman ( Ray Blanchard): quillette.com/2019/11/06/what-is-autogynephilia-an-interview-with-dr-ray-blanchard/

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stillathing · 22/01/2020 09:09

I really struggle to see what these groups have in common with each other. An outside observer who was allowed to have such thoughts might think that some of the groups are being used as shields by the group with the most power.

RicketyClickety · 22/01/2020 09:05

In the older males category, I wonder how important the link is of PTSD (via the military, etc) and a very understandable desire to disassociate with male-associated trauma into a softer female world. It's a massive disservice to the actual trans community that the psychological aspects are not being discussed as widely as the glitter rainbows sales pitch.

nauticant · 22/01/2020 09:03

I see there being three main groups under the trans umbrella:

  1. People with dysphoria severe enough for them to feel that medical intervention is essential for them to gain some comfort in their lives.
  2. Young people with confused identities, many wondering whether they're homosexual, many of whom will establish more secure identities if left to wait and see.
  3. The cross-dressing group. Male, many of whom are over 30 at least.

If 0.5% of the UK population is trans, that's roughly 300,000. Looking at group 1), the total number of GRCs issued is around 5000. Although there will be people with gender dysphoria who will not seek a GRC for whatever reason, even if the 5000 is doubled or trebled to account for this, this would mean that the 300,000 is largely groups 2) and 3). I'm not sure how these groups will fall but I suspect 2) will be larger than 3), but 3) will still be a significant part of the 300,000.