Okay. I Figure Go Ahead And Put This Out Front

[franciscanheart]

[quote name='universal' date='Jul 29 2004, 03:47 AM'] I implore you to not go through with this sex-change!!!
You will never been comfortable with yourself going down this road. You will always know that you are not the sex you are pretending to be, you will always be the sex that you were born as, doesn't matter what you look like and what chemicals are streaming around your body.
You will never be fertile mascarading as the opposite gender. It will never fit.

If I didn't care about you I wouldn't bother writing this, I'm not being dogmatic or uncaring, this is a serious issue. You can't go back from this if you choose to perform it.

Seek help from an orthodox Catholic counsellor, someone who is concerned with your immortal soul which those psychologists you speak of are not concerned at all with, or who have a perverted idea of what that means.

And remember that this suffering is only temporary, always look towards eternity with the Lord in Heaven where all these problems will be wiped away. During this short time on earth our sufferings can be a source of joy if we offer them up to the Lord. You are always greatly loved by God, He formed you, sure He didn't intend you to have such a problem which sadly is a result of man's sinfulness, but He formed you in the gender you are and you are His beautiful creation. Don't try and second guess God, but ardently seek His help in healing what problems are in your heart and mind as well as the strength to endure those problems.

I will be praying for you ardently!!! [/quote]
AMEN AMEN AMEN AMEN

[marchjen6]

I really don't know what to say except that you'll be in my prayers. I wish there was more i could do.
Jen

[Madonna]

[quote name='Cathurian' date='Jul 28 2004, 08:41 PM'] (Note: my current policy on the subject is to not take any action unless I am *absolutely sure* it is alright, even if it means I have to suffer my whole to avoid even the possibility of sin. So I'm not saying this is definitely okay, I'm saying I don't know, and that's why I'm posting this at all.)
[/quote]
A friend of mine found an answer for you on EWTN's website:

[quote]In very rare cases of a child born with confused gender, meaning the sexual organs are not correct, or are of mixed type, the Church would allow surgery to restore a "normal" external genitalia of the appropriate sex.

On the other hand, transgender operations of the type you are asking about are mutilations of a normal body motivated by confused psychological gender. The solution is unconfuse the mind and emotions, not mutilate the body.

Such mutilations would be gravely sinful. Obviously a person could repent from having done it and receive the sacraments, even if he could not undo the surgery.[/quote]

The "gender confusion" that the Church allows an operation for is in the case where the child is born a hermaphrodite. They are predominately male or female, and the extra organs are removed.
[url="http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=397842&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=365&Author=&Keyword=gender&pgnu=1&groupnum=0"]Here is the link.[/url]

Here is another question and answer from EWTN that may answer your question:
[url="http://www.ewtn.com/vexperts/showresult.asp?RecNum=387364&Forums=0&Experts=0&Days=365&Author=&Keyword=gender&pgnu=1&groupnum=0"]Right here.[/url]


You have my deepest compassion for your situation. I hope you are eventually brought peace without having an operation.
I'll be praying for you.

Edited August 3, 2004 by Madonna

[Paladin D]

I find it hard to believe that the Church would forbid people (like in Cathurian's situation) to not get a sex change. Of course one has to solve this issue physcologically, why not a change too?

Which brings up another point. Why isn't circumcision considered [b]mulitation[/b]?

[Madonna]

Circumscion isn't quite comparable. It doesn't take away a boy's maleness.

Circumscion is done for sanitary reason.

I think many Jewish laws were instilled for health reasons.

[BeenaBobba]

Hi Cathurian,

Wow, I don't know what to say. It sounds like you are suffering quite a lot. I will say a Rosary for you.

If you can, I would recommend that you try to locate your medical records just to see if you were born a hermaphrodite. I've heard of one guy whose circumcision was botched, so he was raised as a girl. It really messed him up. I'd also recommend that you get genetic and hormonal testing done. Are you, genetically, a male or a female? If you have XX chromosomes, then you are a female -- even though you might feel like a man on the inside. If your female hormonal levels are off, perhaps that is why you feel like a man.

Provided that you're not a genetic male, changing your sex would be morally illicit. If your problem is pysiological in nature, I'd definitely look into the hormonal thing. But, if you're a genetic female without those hormonal imbalances, I'd suggest good, Catholic counselling, as your problem could be psychological in nature.

Were you abused as a child? Did you have strong male and female role models in your life growing up? How long have you been feeling this way? (You don't have to answer these questions if you don't want to.)

Yours is certainly a heavy cross to carry. Remember, though, that we here at PM love you.

God bless,

Jen

[Luthien]

I had feelings of not wanting to be a girl when I went through puberty. Though I cannot fully know what you are going through, I understand.

I felt being a female was a sign of weakness, that I was not strong physically or emotionally if I was female. I dressed like a boy, and I had my hair cut like a boy. Though I did not desire male genitilia, nor did I have crushes on girls, I wanted to be a boy because I liked the respect young men get. They are treated differently than young women. Young women these days are treated as objects by mainstream society. I wanted respect, and I felt acting and dressing like a boy would give me that respect. I later found out it was insecurity and vulnerability on my part.

I thank God I never had issues with actually being biologically female. I began to see the beauty of femininity. There is no weakness in being feminine, there is much strength! Look at the Blessed Mother, the peak of feminine beauty.

I have more testosterone than most girls. I have thicker coarser hair (itll be nice not to have hair loss I guess) and I have more muscle mass than most girls. But I love what I have for curves, and I love being able to bear children, a most noble profession, with joy the only repayment.
Try to see the beauty, strength, and honor involved with being a woman. It is equal to any man.

[Luthien]

bump

[Paladin D]

For those who don't know, [b]Cathurian[/b] can't get to a Catholic counselor. Her mother won't let her go to a Catholic Church, which makes this situation even more difficult.

[franciscanheart]

What age are we talking about here? I was under the impression that we were talking about an older young woman.

[BeenaBobba]

[quote name='Paladin D' date='Aug 4 2004, 04:37 PM'] For those who don't know, [b]Cathurian[/b] can't get to a Catholic counselor. Her mother won't let her go to a Catholic Church, which makes this situation even more difficult. [/quote]
Would she be able to via email? I know of a priest and a women who do something called Theophostic Counselling. I could ask them if they'd be willing to talk to her, but I don't know if they'd be able to via email. I'll see what I can do, though.

God bless,

Jen