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Second Nexus © 2019
New evidence has shown that the brain activity of transgender individuals closely resembles the brain activity of their identified gender.
In a study of 160 participants, biological males who experience gender dysphoria were shown to have neurological patterns similar to those in biological females. The Belgian study, conducted by Julie Bakker of the University of Liege, used MRIs to scan the brains of children and teenagers who had been previously diagnosed with gender dysphoria. The results demonstrated that the transgender boys’ brain activity resembled that of cisgender boys and transgender girls’ brains resembled cisgender girls.
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The MRI tests were designed to examine brain activation upon exposure to specific steroids, as</span><span style="font-weight: 400;"> well as measuring gray matter and white matter microstructure using a technique called diffusion tensor imaging.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The results of the study indicate that this kind of research could be used to identify transgender individuals at a younger age.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Although more research is needed, we now have evidence that sexual differentiation of the brain differs in young people with GD, as they show functional brain characteristics that are typical of their desired gender. We will then be better equipped to support these young people, instead of just sending them to a psychiatrist and hoping that their distress will disappear spontaneously,” said Bakker.</span></p><p><div data-conversation-spotlight=""></div></p><p><a href="https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/gender-dysphoria/what-is-gender-dysphoria"><span style="font-weight: 400;">According to the American Psychiatric Association</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">, gender dysphoria is defined a conflict between a person’s assigned gender at birth and the gender with which they identify. This discrepancy in identity can lead to feelings of discomfort with their bodies and expected gender roles, causing a notable effect on a person's self-image.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The new research could likely spark the development of new coping techniques. </span><a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/05/22/transgender-brain-scans-promised-study-shows-structural-differences/"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Scientists currently believe</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> that gender dysphoria is typically caused by fetal insensitivity to specific hormones during pregnancy. Currently, children and adolescents diagnosed with gender dysphoria receive psychotherapy. The scientific scans would also allow medical professionals to give better, more medically sound advice, in addition to therapy, at a younger age.</span></p><p></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Transgender issues have continued to gain mainstream attention in recent years. In 2015, Caitlyn Jenner appeared on the cover of <em>Vanity Fair</em>, announcing her transition in a forum that increased public awareness of transgender individuals. Along with Laverne Cox, the transgender actress from <em>Orange Is The New Black</em>, Jenner has become the de facto face for the marginalized population — a status that has received notable backlash. </span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">More recently, public awareness continues to swell with President Trump’s discriminatory announcement that new limitations would be placed on transgender individuals who serve in the military. Most recently </span><i><span style="font-weight: 400;">Pose</span></i><span style="font-weight: 400;"> debuted to rave critical acclaim. The show possesses the largest transgender cast in television history.</span></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Support for the transgender community continues to grow but continues to attract discriminatory opinions and backlash. On June 8th, </span><a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/teacher-claims-school-made-resign-transgender-students-preferred/story?id=55738722"><span style="font-weight: 400;">ABC</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> News reported that an Indiana teacher claimed that he was forced to resign for refusing to use a transgender student’s preferred named. </span></p><p>[embed]</p><div id="10403" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="XB2QA31574877592"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1005087373846343680" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">Indiana teacher says he was forced to resign for not using transgender student's preferred name:… https://t.co/G0aXcxRsuy</div> — ABC 7 Chicago (@ABC 7 Chicago)<a href="https://twitter.com/ABC7Chicago/statuses/1005087373846343680">1528466478.0</a></blockquote></div>[/embed]<p></p><p>The backlash on Twitter was notable:</p><p></p><div id="a6a58" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="8PK57T1574877592"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1005105363190939648" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@ABC7Chicago @GLSCHWALL Good, it is so disrespectful to address anybody by any name given or not that they don't li… https://t.co/W7c3JLsCFN</div> — Jen the Muse ✂️🧚♀️🧵☕🍻 (@Jen the Muse ✂️🧚♀️🧵☕🍻)<a href="https://twitter.com/cosplaydarkarts/statuses/1005105363190939648">1528470767.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p></p><div id="3815f" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="A5CMAA1574877592"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1005109489366904832" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@ABC7Chicago Apparently, Christians now feel they can take a religious exemption to practicing common courtesy.</div> — Archibald Goodhead (@Archibald Goodhead)<a href="https://twitter.com/ArchiGoodhead/statuses/1005109489366904832">1528471750.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p></p><div id="764cf" class="rm-shortcode" data-rm-shortcode-id="F4QWFK1574877592"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet twitter-custom-tweet" data-twitter-tweet-id="1005128460371660806" data-partner="rebelmouse"><div style="margin:1em 0">@ABC7Chicago Good. That school district did the right thing. I am an educator and I always asked my kids what name… https://t.co/6X8kuKVUoQ</div> — E (@E)<a href="https://twitter.com/eichshu6/statuses/1005128460371660806">1528476273.0</a></blockquote></div><p></p><p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As science continues to support the idea that gender dysphoria is rooted in brain chemistry, and not mental illness, we hope that transgender individuals will begin to receive the support and awareness they deserve.</span></p>
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