Current concepts in transgender identity

Current Concepts is an edited text with chapters by a wide variety of noted clinicians, researchers, and theorists in the field. It is, among other things, an homage to John Money & Richard Green’s 1969 edited text Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment and includes chapters by three of the original contributors: Money, Green, and Ira Pauley. Other authors include Anne Bolin, Holly Boswell, Richard Green, Bonnie and Vern Bullough, Ruth Hubbard, Aaron Devor, Richard Ekins and Dave King, Sandra Cole, George Brown, Collier Cole and Walter Meyer, Bill Henkin, and others.

The text is divided into two parts. In Part I: Toward a New Synthesis, authors highlight emerging methodologies and ideas about being trans* These include discussions of sex and gender, emerging transgender models, and historical treatments. In Part II: Research and Treatment Issues, the authors write about among other things, therapy, electrolysis, male-to-female and female-to-male hormonal therapy, MTF genital surgery, interpersonal relationships, and issues of sexuality.

For those unfamiliar with Green & Money’s Transsexualism and Sex Reassignment, it described the treatment protocols for sex reassignment at Johns Hopkins University. It included chapters on MTF and FTM genital surgery and hormonal therapy, office management electrolysis, psychological testing, legal issues, religion, and more. It was an influential book that was followed faithfully by clinicians. Current Concepts was, in essence, a revision and update that described new models of thinking about trans* people. –Dallas Denny