CLINICAL AND SOCIOLOGICAL INFORMATION
This page contains information about support groups and resources
for transgender/cross-dressers, their spouses and families.
THE 2000 CENSUS
How Many Identify as Transgender in the U.S.?
U.S. Population in 2000 276,059,000
US Male Population 134,979,000
US Female Population 141,080,000
TOTAL Estimated Number of Transgender Persons in US 13,687,818*
(Breakdown follows:)
FEMALE TO MALE:(Genetic females cross dressing as males)
Halloween Exhibitions 3,041,399
Part Time Cross Dressing 1,414,251
Full Time Cross Dressing (living full-time, without SRS) 71,473
Post Operative (sexual reassignment surgery completed) 36,497
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TOTAL Estimated Transgender Female to Male 4,563,620*
MALE TO FEMALE:(Genetic males cross dressing as females)
Halloween Exhibitions 4,562,099
Partial Cross Dressing (wearing only certain female items) 3,041,399
Part Time Cross Dressing (full feminine expression) 1,216,560
Full Time Cross Dressing (living full-time, without SRS) 243,312
Post Operative (sexual reassignment surgery completed) 60,828
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TOTAL Estimated Transgender Male to Female 9,124,198*
Over 13.1 million, out of the 13.68 million transgender are not pursuing a full-time expression of their gender-divergence. A full 8.7 million of these are men, and 4.4 million are women. The numbers could even be higher in that many individuals still remain unidentified or closeted. According to the 2000 census, there are over 400,000 people (male and femlae) who are living full-time as the gender opposite their declared birth gender. This number is by most accountings closer now to 750,000.
The US Population is up over 300 million in 2008. It is reasonable to assume the number of transgender in the U.S. is over 15 million now. This would put Light in the Closet's potential focus group at 9.5 million males.
*The figure of 13.68 million has been produced by Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and confirmed by various groups including the American Medical Association (AMA). This figure attempts to include all individuals falling under the general category of transgender. An estimated 95% of these are closeted cross-dressers. (see 2000 census) Due to the social, religious and even, at times, medical ignorance concerning gender identity, these estimates are difficult to verify. However, even the most conservative accounting would show gender identity is a concern to a large amount of people in the US. There is a concerted effort being made by various groups to include questions about gender identity in future census polls.
RESOURCES and WEB SITES*
TRANSGENDER & CROSS-DRESSER SPOUSAL SUPPORT
With more information being made available about gender identity issues and cross dressing, there are finally some support systems being formed for families, especially for those who are out of their closets. However, it is still difficult to find good solid support systems for the spouses of those who are still closeted.
GENDER TREE
The GENDER TREE web site is a good resource for clinical and sociological information. It is a comprehensive exploration of various social and biblical issues as they relate to the transgender community. You can link to this web site by clicking below:
http://gendertree.com
Articles of interest:
THE ELEPHANT IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROOM
http://gendertree.com/Ephant_in_the_Middle.htm
AFTER YOU HAVE TOLD YOUR CHILDREN (a form to fill out)
http://gendertree.com/Telling%20Children.htm
YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUR WIFE
http://gendertree.com/What%20She%20is%20Due.htm
FOR WIVES AND SIGNIFICANT OTHERS
These are musings and commentaries made by husbands and wives.
http://gendertree.com/For_Wives_and_Significant_Others.htm
ABOUT TRI ESS*
Support Group for Heterosexual Cross-dressers and Their Partners
The main support group in the United States for heterosexual cross-dressers, their partners, the spouses of married cross-dressers and their families is Tri Ess. There are many chapters nationwide that offer educational and social support. They believe that those with both a strong female and male side are blessed with an additional facet to their personalities. They believe that through acceptance and exploration they can broaden the entire personality, which can be very fulfilling. They dress in emulation, rather than in mockery, of femininity. The Tri-Ess philosophy can be expressed in the acronym FIBER:
F - Full personality expression in both its masculine and its feminine aspects. We do not wish to destroy our masculinity, but to soften its harsher aspects, and be all we can be.
I - Integration of masculinity and femininity to create a happier whole person.
B - Balance between masculinity and femininity.
E - Education of cross-dressers and their families toward self-acceptance; education of society toward accepting cross dressing people.
R - Relationship-building in the context of cross dressing.
To find out more contact: http://www.tri-ess.org/whatis.html
TRANSSEXUAL SPOUSAL SUPPORT*
The ministry Light in the Closet is focused mainly on those who are non-op transgender (those who are not pursuing sexual reassignment SRS). The "non-op" group of transgender is by far the largest and the needs of their family members are distinctly different from those who are pursuing SRS and/or a lifestyle that fully reflects the "other" gender. For those who are dealing with this radical life change may we suggest contacting the following group. This group is not distinctly Christian, but the resources appear to be sound.
For information about transsexual people and family issues, contact
http://tsroadmap.com/family
Resources for Transgender Education & Rights:
JULIE NEMECEK CONSULTING*
Full-service Consulting Company
Dr. Julie Nemecek has experience as both a pastor in multi-cultural settings and a university professor, Dr. Nemecek brings a rich background to her work. Her experience in teaching organizational development, human resources, and world religions combine with her real-life experience to give her the expert knowledge that is critical in today’s changing world.
Dr. Julie Nemecek helps organizations and individuals grow in understanding, appreciating, and committing to issues of diversity. Consulting, training, and advocacy for GLBT issues in the workplace are a major part of the company’s commitment and work. Julie Nemecek Consulting provides customized services to meet the culture and needs of individual organizations.
Contact Julie Marie Nemecek at: julie.nemecek@comcast.net / or call: (517) 416-4608
For more information please see:
http://www.michiganequality.org/boardandstaff/board_julienemecek.htm
GENDER SPECTRUM EDUCATION AND TRAINING*
Providing education, resources and training to help create a gender sensitive and supportive environment.
Gender Spectrum Education and Training is committed to creating a more supportive world for people of all genders. We do this by increasing awareness and understanding of the normal range of gender variations found in everyone.
Whether you are familiar with gender variance or are just starting to learn about gender identity and expression, Gender Spectrum Education and Training can help you create a more gender sensitive and supportive environment for all people, including gender variant and transgender youth. We will assist you in understanding gender in all its complexities and variations, at any stage of life.
For more information please see:
http://www.genderspectrum.org/index.htm
TRANSFAITH*
Contains a List of Transgender Christian-based Web Sites and Resources.
While the church was looking the other way, gender issues became much more complex. The simple arguments based in Deuteronomy don't begin to touch the reality of what transgender individuals deal with. Many of the links listed on TransFaith address the real issues of gender identity and offer real solutions.
For more information please see:
http://www.transfaithonline,org/navigation/index/
CROSS-DRESSERS SUPPORT GROUPS
TG Christians
Yahoo Support Group.
"TG Christians" is an on-line Yahoo group community. The founder, "Jade" is a very thoughtful and spiritual person. She has created a wonderful community, that for over a decade, has offered help and hope to those who are struggling with gender identity and Christian concerns. This is a moderated group and you will need to request to join. Log on to Yahoo and use the link: TG Christians
Crossdresser's Heaven/Christian Crossdresser
There are a lot of sites on the internet that deal with cross dressing. Some of these are rather “out there” and have more to do with the entertainment aspect or fetish behavior. Light in the Closet does not, on this website address this sort of exploration. Most corss-dressers are very much in the closet, but some are "way out" of the closet. For many the act of cross dressing is a neccessary one if only for therapy alone. The exporation of cross dressing can be in a dignified, Christian context. For those who feel this exploration is necessary, there are some groups and resources available to them. Following is a link to a resource website. Crossdresser Heaven/Christian Crossdresser
There are many support groups across the nation. If you would like to locate one near you please email Light in the Closet. Contact Randall Klein at: - RKlein@lightinthecloset.org
Light in the Closet, P.O. Box 1208, Oakley, CA 94561
Most scripture references are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB)
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©2008 Light in the Closet. Information and articles may be used with written permission only. The information presented here is done so without remuneration and is freely accessible to all.
*The links available throughout this web site are there for your convenience. Light in the Closet does not necessarily endorse all subject matter, nor can Light in the Closet vouch for the validity of the content.