Discussion of Holly Devor's Who Are “We”?

ABSTRACT

In her paper, Who Are “We”?, Holly Devor presents the thesis that gay/lesbian and transgendered identities are not mutually exclusive of each other. Although these identities once shared a trans-gressive social status, a gay/lesbian identity has begun to gain an acceptance that transgendered identities have yet to achieve. In this discussion, the concept of gender identity as being on a continuum shared by gays, lesbians and transgendered is explored. Clinical material highlights the disparities that can exist between an individualapos;s internal identity and his/her external socially assigned identity. The need to express identity is emphasized.

KEYWORDS:

• Gay identity
• gender identity
• gender identity disorder
• homosexuality
• intersex
• lesbian identity
• transgender
• transsexual