Transgender 2

EPISODE OVERVIEW:

What happens, when you can’t be who you want to be?  And you are filled with conflict and despair.  Because all you want is to fit in, to be accepted, to be loved. To belong.  But all around you, people are judging you, isolating you.  Hate language and criticism can be an everyday reality. Sadly, this can be the life for a transgender person.  In this episode, Dr. Nandi hears two individual’s personal journeys and what lead them to transition to the opposite sex.  Joining the discussion is Clinical Psychologist Dr. Lowenthal who explains what transgender is, the difference between homosexuality and transgender, and what one can do if they are struggling with a loved one’s gender identity.  Dr. Nandi discusses potential benefits and risks with Dr. Berlin from The John Hopkins University School of Medicine that one should fully be aware of before sex reassignment surgery.

PARTHA’S PRESCRIPTIONS:

1. Don’t tolerate anti-trans remarks; speak up and correct people’s language.  Report all harassment to the proper authorities.

2. If you are interested in learning more about the transgender community, please visit the National Center for Transgender Equality at transequality.org or the World Professional Association for Transgender Health at wpath.org.

3. If someone you love or know is transitioning and you don’t feel comfortable, remember, they are the same person at the core. Find groups of people that are facing the same challenges to help you with this transition.

4. Despite what’s under our clothes, what should matter is what’s in our hearts. It takes no money and minimal time to offer an encouraging word, a smile, a moment of acceptance. Try it, it could mean the world to someone.

GUESTS:

Dr. Traci Lowenthal, Clinical Psychologist

Shannon Scott, Transgender Woman

Van Levy, Transgender Man

Frederick S. Berlin, M.D., Ph.D. , Associate Professor, The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine

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