Gender Disorder as Gender Oppression: A Transfeminist Approach to Rethinking the Pathologization of Gender Non-Conformity

The existence of Gender Identity Disorder (GID) in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) represents a highly controversial issue. This paper examines recent arguments that champion retaining GID in the DSM due to its perceived advantages and arguments that call for the removal of GID. By connecting these contentions with historical ideologies held by liberal feminist theorists and gender activists, I assert a more just model for treatment designated the Transfeminist Approach. To aid therapists in this approach I offer the Transfeminist Qualitative Assessment Tool, the Allyship Practice Model, and an identity continuums graph.