Terminology and Classification of Gender Identity Disorders

German clinicians began describing individuals with some form of gender discomfort over 160 vears ago. This culminated with the publication of Die Transvestiten by Magnus Hirschfeld in 1910. Currently, the most commonly used terms for these conditions are transsexualism, gender dysphoia, and gender identity disorders (GID). With the publication of the 3rd edition of The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM-III) of the American Psychiatric Association in 1980, one finds mention of these GID for the first lime in a formal diagnostic classification system. These GID were further legitimized in 1987, with the publication of DSM-III-Revised. Currently, DSM-IV is under preparation by a subcommittee on GID. There is considerable controversy about revisions in terminology and classification of these GID currently under discussion. This paper also deals with the relationship between gender identity and sexual orientation. There is some evidence to suggest a correlation between age of onset of gender dysphoria and sexual orientation subsequently established. Finally, the author discusses the pros and cons of a recommendation to remove GID from DSM-IV altogether. Those in favor of such a recommendation argue that their iclusion stigmatizes gender dysphoric individuals by placing a psychiatric label on them.