Undiagnosing gender

Abstract

The paper takes stock of the current debate on the undoing of the pathologization process of transsexuality in the United States. The author asserts that, if, on one hand, the diagnosis of Gender Identity Disorder is still considered worthwhile to be maintained as to ease the financial means to the transition, on the other hand, opposing the diagnosis is also needed in that the diagnosis presumes as a mental illness what should rather be understood as a possibility among many of gender self-determination. Bringing to light how complex and paradoxal this debate is, she contends that these two stands should, however, not be considered fully contradictory since, in her viewpoint, transautonomy will not be achieved as long as a legal, medical and social supportive net is not brought about, which only will really make it possible that one lives a transsexual life.