Volume II, Number 4, October - December 1998

• Legal Implications of the New Ferment Concerning Transsexualism
• TRANSSEXUALS’ CHILDREN

Abstract
Legal policy in varying degrees favorably recognizing transsexualism, in common law countries, has rested upon a classical medical model which apparently has recently lost substantial support and has become much more diffuse. Special legal provisions concerning transsexualism may now be challenged: (1) as lacking a sound and persuasive rationale; (2) as making unfair distinctions among persons with nonstandard gender or sex identities who do, or do not, take various particular steps along a now disputed medical route toward personal adjustment. Although perhaps valuable in other ways, the current ferment of criticism here called transgender liberationism has not provided us with viable legal policy suggestions. The paper argues that, as we reexamine this area, a legal policy which does not attempt to make special provisions for transsexualism (no special legal recognition) deserves further serious consideration, as the least harmful and fairest policy in the long run.

TRANSSEXUALS’ CHILDREN
R. Green

Abstract
Continuing contact between transsexual parents and their children has met with significant opposition. Two areas of concern are effects on the gender identity of the children and reactions by the children’s peer group. Eighteen children, 10 boys, 8 girls of 9 transsexual parents, have been evaluated. Their ages range from 5-16 years. All live with or have regular contact with their transsexual parent. No child has gender identity disorder. No child has had extensive conflict with the peer group. All continue positive relationships with their transsexual parent.