Source:
Journal of Gay and Lesbian Psychotherapy, Volume 8, Issue 1/2 (2004)
Abstract:
Coming to recognize oneself as transsexual involves a number of stages of exploration and
analysis on both an interpersonal and intrapersonal level over the course of many years. A
model encompassing fourteen possible stages is proposed: (1) Abiding Anxiety, (2) Identity
Confusion About Originally Assigned Gender and Sex, (3) Identity Comparisons About
Originally Assigned Gender and Sex, (4) Discovery of Transsexualism, (5) Identity Confusion
about Transsexualism, (6) Identity Comparisons about Transsexualism, (7) Tolerance of
Transsexual Identity, (8) Delay Before Acceptance of Transsexual Identity, (9) Acceptance of
Transsexualism Identity, (10) Delay Before Transition, (11) Transition, (12) Acceptance of Posttransition
Gender and Sex Identities, (13) Integration, and (14) Pride.
