Home Institution

Washington University in St. Louis

Publication Date

Summer 2012

Program Name

Netherlands: International Perspectives on Sexuality and Gender

Abstract

This research project looks at the medicalization of transsexuality in the Netherlands. The primary question posed is how the medicalization of transsexuality affects transsexual individuals, specifically in the Netherlands. Three male-to-female transsexual individuals were interviewed on their experiences with medicine, the medical community, and the medicalization of transsexuality. An analysis of the interviews revealed that the medicalization of transsexuality has both negative and positive effects on transsexual individuals in the Netherlands. Conversely, the analysis revealed that transsexual individuals have an effect on the medicalization of transsexuality. It was also discovered that the Dutch society at large and the Dutch trans community have a relationship with transsexual individuals and the medicalization of transsexuality. Ultimately, the medicalization of transsexuality in the Netherlands cannot be understood without comprehensively investigating the complex relationship between the medicalization itself, transsexual individuals, the Dutch society at large, and the Dutch trans community.

Disciplines

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies | Other Medicine and Health Sciences

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