Gender Identity and Reassignment Surgery

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Gender Identity is a huge issue for literally thousands of people the world over. The subject of Gender Identity, gender dysphoria and sex reassignment surgery is an area where there is great misconception and fear of the unknown. Trans-gender people face rejection and often ridicule as a daily occurrence in some cases.

So, what are the most pressing issues for those in the trans-gender world?

To get to the root cause of most gender identity issues which cause about 1 in 30,000 women and 1 in 11,000 men to feel that they are trapped in the wrong gender, it is necessary to take an in depth look at theories surrounding gender development in the womb and the development of gender identity issues in toddlers and teens. The history of the trans-gender world and the first medical procedures in the 1930's were very experimental in nature and quite rudimentary compared to techniques known today.

Gender Dysphoria is essentially is a term which describes those people whose birth sex does not match their gender identity. For people in those circumstances, there are choices from minor hormonal treatment and living in the 'correct' gender for the person, which is enough for some, right through to looking at the procedures behind sex reassignment surgery. There is no one 'right' answer and each situation needs to be judged on its merits based on the person's situation, affordability, availability of medical cover and so on.

Trans-gender people are often victimized physically and emotionally and many parts of the world have been slow to introduce legislation to protect the interests of this minority group. Then, there is the issue of 'coming out' to family, work colleagues and friends. Often if not always, there is hardly ever an 'ideal' time or place to deal with such issues.

Not all trans-gender people will undergo reassignment surgery but for those who do, there are now a vast number of potential surgical procedures which are available many of which are inherent with potential complications. For those who do elect to undertake such surgeries there is a stringent requirement for psychological assessment before hand as these surgeries are irreversible.

There are a lot of stereotypes and misinformation surrounding this subject and only time can break down those barriers. The support of family and close friends for a trans-gender person are invaluable as they steer through the minefield of reassignment surgery options to bring their gender characteristics into line with their inner sense of gender identity.

Ashley Stevenson is a journalist who supplements his income with a home based internet marketing business selling information products. For information about the product which is the subject of this article click through one of these links.

http://ashleystevenson.wordpress.com/gender-identity-and-reassignment-new-e-book-to-be-released-soon/

http://genderidentityandreassignment.blogspot.com/2010/07/gender-identity-e-book-coming-soon.html

So Grows the Tree - Creating an Ethical Will by Jo Kline Cebuhar, J D

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Leaving a Legacy of Beliefs, Values, and Hopes

Jo Kline Cebuhar defines an Ethical Will as that which you believe, what you know, and what you hope for. This becomes "The legacy of your beliefs and values, life lessons and hopes for the future." Her book "So Grows the Tree: Creating an Ethical Will" outlines for the reader a number of possible plans for creating a personal Ethical Will.

Kline also helps the reader understand why it is important to create their own Ethical Will, how to make your story come alive, and a time frame for creating an Ethical Will.

Her suggestions include ideas for using quotations, thumbnail essays, and embellished journals. She talks about three dimensional Ethical Wills using photo albums, scrapbooks, and genealogies. She incorporates the use of the computer, with digi-scrapbooks, power point presentations, video, audio, and music in your preparation.

The provision for "notes to self" spaced throughout the book proved personally helpful in getting me started on organizing my own Ethical Will by making an inventory of photos, memos, documents, and writings that define my own life lessons learned, values, and beliefs. I thoroughly enjoyed the quotes from well known biographers, national leaders, and other familiar personalities. These concepts add credence to Cebuhar's writing.

"So Grows the Tree - Creating and Ethical Will" is an important work. Every life coach, financial planner, and legal advisor should recommend the book or provide a copy for each of their clients as a supplement to their other services.

Murphy Publishing, 978-0966185133,

As reviewed for Midwest Book Review.

Richard R. Blake, Christian Education Consultant, Book Store Owner

The LA Rulebook

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There should be a rule book for people living in Los Angeles. I've lived my entire life here, and I find that I still make horrific faux pas in the most embarrassing ways. This book should be offered at all LA book stores, and it should cover behavior, LA-speak, personal facades, and the LA club scene. Every page should expound on dos and don'ts of the city. Why? Because there's no city like LA, and there are no people groups like Los Angelenos. The kind of eccentricities and embarrassing scenarios one encounters here can't be learned intuitively anywhere else. The reason is obvious: no other city has Hollywood. Yes, Hollywood. Breeder of fame, fortune, and political power.

As you know, it's not uncommon to see the odd celebrity doing mundane tasks around town. We're nearly used to it...or at least we play it off like we are. You know the LA drill. Don't stare, take a picture secretly and go one with your life. That's all well and good unless you don't know they're famous.

Cut to: Mark Edward Lewis sitting in a cafe in Burbank that he's never been to. In walks an exotic brunette with short hair, spaghetti strap top, bright blue eyes and a saunter four feet wide.

Cut to reversal: Mark is doing everything wrong. He's staring at her, not because she's so striking, but because he thinks he knows her. He's so sure of it, that when this babe looks back at him, he doesn't flinch. He's sure she'll recognize him. Her frown, her wince and her look of "in your dreams, buddy" doesn't phase him. He leaves his stool and ambles in her direction. Four feet from his fingers tapping her bare shoulder, Mark has a flicker of a memory.

Cut to Flashback: His living room, a television, late night channel surfing, seeing her chiseled body smashing thugs wearing black. The bumper before commercial reads: "VIP." Back to cafe and a medium shot of Mark's hand inches away. He yanks his hand back as though from a snake. His face turns shades of red, and he slinks back to his stool muttering hindu grace. No, he doesn't know her. He had simply channel surfed onto one of television's most exploitative and sexist shows. He's ashamed he even knows this woman's face at all, but he's relieved that he didn't make a fool of himself and repeat the most used celebrity face-slap pick-up line in the LA club scene: "Hi. I think I know you from somewhere." Ugh.

Yes, it was Natalie Raitano. Yes, it really happened. No, I didn't get her number. The lesson: if you think you know someone in LA (and they're gorgeous), it's okay to cross into their line of sight so they see you, but honestly, they don't know you. Making this mistake with a network television star is relatively harmless compared to the more incriminating scenarios you could find yourself in...

Mark Edward Lewis is an award winning Hollywood director of commercials, films and television. He has also written music for films and television for the last 18 years. Mark's mission is to move millions of people throughout the world into living the life they love. Media is his main outlet for this. However, bringing the genders together in peace and powerful communication is his means.
http://www.lemmediaproductions.com/5steps/index.html