Transgender Survey: The Results

Here are the results of my Transgender Survey that ran on WDC from May through July, 2005. My main goal for this survey was to encourage people to think about a subject few people know much about and often have many misunderstandings about. The survey is in no way scientific, but I thought I would share the results anyway, as they might help to keep the dialogue going.

One person disputed my definition of "Transgender." It is an umbrella term including both crossdressers and transsexuals. It is not simply another term for transsexual.

I appreciate all of the feedback I received, including the criticisms of the survey itself. I learned quite a bit and in the near future I plan to launch a new and better survey. Thank you to everyone for helping me identify weaknesses and learn from them.

I challenge everyone to shun apathy and learn more about people who are different (I include myself in that challenge). Society can only benefit.

(I added the "Not Sure" option later on the suggestion of several reviewers)


1. Most men who crossdress are heterosexual.

10% Agree Strongly
30% Agree Somewhat
40% Disagree Somewhat
8% Disagree Strongly
12% Not Sure

[Only a small number of men who crossdress are homosexual, about the same percentage as in the general population. Regarding women who crossdress, I have no idea--if someone could enlighten me on that topic, please do so.]


2. About the same number of women are transgendered as men.

5% Agree Strongly
38% Agree Somewhat
32% Disagree Somewhat
15% Disagree Strongly
10% Not Sure

[This statement is true. We hear much more about men probably because society puts more pressure on men to conform to cultural gender stereotypes.]


3. It is more socially acceptable for women to crossdress.

58% Agree Strongly
30% Agree Somewhat
10% Disagree Somewhat
0% Disagree Strongly
2% Not Sure

[This is opinion, but women generally have more clothing options than men.]


4. The majority of transgendered people are highly intelligent.

23% Agree Strongly
45% Agree Somewhat
10% Disagree Somewhat
5% Disagree Strongly
17% Not Sure

[It has been well documented that the average transgendered person is above average in intelligence compared to the general population. This statement is true.]


5. Transgendered people are mentally ill.

0% Agree Strongly
13% Agree Somewhat
15% Disagree Somewhat
72% Disagree Strongly
0% Not Sure

[Some transgendered people are mentally ill, and some non-transgendered people are mentally ill. I was trying to ask if people thought that transgenderism--officially called Gender Identity Disorder (GID)--is a mental illness. GID is still classified in the Diagnostic and Statistic Manual (DSM-IV) as a mental illness, but will likely be removed in the next revision of the DSM as there is no scientific basis for it being a mental illness. Homosexuality is not classified as a mental illness in the DSM-IV.]


6. All transsexuals have surgery to transform their genitals.

2% Agree Strongly
10% Agree Somewhat
15% Disagree Somewhat
68% Disagree Strongly
5% Not Sure

[Quite a few transsexuals never have surgery, and many Male to Female (M2F) transsexuals are now opting for facial feminization surgery (FFS) instead of genital surgery as it enables them to blend into society better. Surgery for Female to Male (F2M) transsexuals is more complicated and expensive than for M2F.]


7. I would be friends with a person even if I knew that person was transgendered.

72% Agree Strongly
25% Agree Somewhat
3% Disagree Somewhat
0% Disagree Strongly
0% Not Sure

[Strictly opinion. I am encouraged by the survey results on this statement.]


8. Transgendered people are good, morally upstanding people.

25% Agree Strongly
53% Agree Somewhat
12% Disagree Somewhat
2% Disagree Strongly
8% Not Sure

[Transgendered people are no more likely to be bad or amoral than anyone else. What I was trying to ask is whether people believe that transgenderism itself is sinful or amoral. I am a transgendered Christian, and I do not believe it is sinful.]


9. It is likely that I have met people who were transgendered but I was not aware they were transgendered.

33% Agree Strongly
35% Agree Somewhat
22% Disagree Somewhat
5% Disagree Strongly
5% Not Sure

[There are more of us than most people think.]


10. I have at least one friend who I know is transgendered.

28% Agree
72% Disagree


11. The cause of transgenderism is likely biological.

10% Agree Strongly
33% Agree Somewhat
32% Disagree Somewhat
10% Disagree Strongly
15% Not Sure

[I would like to know more about this. As of yet, I am not aware of definite scientific proof of this, though my own personal experience makes me think it probably is biological. For many years I fought my own transgenderism, and I ended up with severe depression. If it were a choice, I would not have chosen it. The only choice I have is to accept it and move on with my life.]


12. Transgendered people threaten society.

0% Agree Strongly
5% Agree Somewhat
8% Disagree Somewhat
87% Disagree Strongly
0% Not Sure

[In what way do we threaten society?]


13. Transgendered people are fetishists.

2% Agree Strongly
15% Agree Somewhat
35% Disagree Somewhat
38% Disagree Strongly
10% Not Sure

[Only some transgendered people are fetishists, but some people think all of us are fetishists, or that transgenderism is itself a fetish.]


14. The rights of transgendered people are protected by law.

12% Agree Strongly
25% Agree Somewhat
25% Disagree Somewhat
20% Disagree Strongly
18% Not Sure

[There is no federal protection as of yet. A handful of states have protection, and many cities have laws protecting transgendered people. But many transgendered people can still be fired or discriminated against in America and have no legal leg to stand on. It happens every day.]


15. Write a personal comment about this subject (Optional).

Here is a selection of the comments people wrote:

I agree strongly that SOCIALLY it is more acceptable for women, but personally - I have no problem with either. After all, if women can wear skirts or pants it they choose, then so should men be able to.

Many transgendered individuals I have written to over e-mail believe God "mistakenly" put them in the wrong body. I would think that individuals what became transgendered would actually shun religion in favor of views adopted by the transgendered community as a whole. I guess I can't comment more than that since I can't seem to understand beyond a few idle thoughts that I have had that it would be easier to be a woman.

I consider myself to be lesbian. I once (recently) crushed on a trans guy, though. (Born a female, identifies as male). It really got me questioning how important gender really is...

I lived in a Foster Care Home ran by a transgendered male. Everyone thought that he was homosexual (correctly). However, I know that all transgendered people are not homosexual. I have a girlfriend who simply prefers to dress like a man. She still has sexual relations with men exclusively. I think that such a question as "Do you think all transgendered people are homosexual?" would add to your findings.

I think people should be free to act the way they wish as long as it is not detrimental to others. I see transgenderism as harmless and the only people offended by it are the uptight, narrow minded ones.

I think if you're born one way, then you're born that way. If you are born female, then you cannot possibly be male - or think you are in any way.

I believe that transgendered people are individuals who have become confused in one particular area and they need to be corrected. I believe that they make the choice that leads to their current behavior.

Each person is created uniquely as God intended, and therefore has value. I am meant to love each person, despite his or her choices in life. I am not perfect, and I have no right to judge others. However, I do desire to see my own sin and be corrected so that I may grow closer to God and glorify Him. I have the same hope for others. I do believe that Scripture is God's Holy Word, and not only does it point out my lust, my lies, my prideful attitudes, but it also points out homosexuality and other sins as well. Discipline isn't always comfortable, but it is beneficial. I do not believe that any person is innately good or moral. And I do not believe that transgendered people are any more "bad" than the rest of us, and they're definitely not more or less "intelligent". Sexual sins, however, do have serious consequences--for both heterosexuals and homosexuals. I think a part of desiring to switch genders is due to a lack of satisfaction in who God has created a person to be, and ultimately, the peace and joy that comes from a relationship with God will not be fulfilled by any change of that kind. I hope my answers do not seem harsh. I'm trying my best to communicate both truth and love and to clarify what the "multiple choice" answers might have expressed. I hope you have a good day.

It certainly is a very interesting subject, not one I think people know the cause of. It could be biological, something to do with the brain, but there could be something more to it-it raises up the question of what makes people male or female. Is it purely biological or is there something innate in the soul? When I've heard transexuals speak about their experiences, you can't seem to imagine them as they were before-they do seem more natural as, say, a woman than a man, or vice versa. It's certainly understandable for people to be uncomfortable with-it shakes the foundations of our lives, that we can simply change sex. But I certainly don't think they should be denied their civil liberties protected by the constitution, and I'm always saddened by acts of violence against people who are transgendered.

A couple of the statements made me wonder, for example: "Most crossdressers are heterosexual." and "Most transgenders are highly intelligent." (paraphrased cause I don't have the questions in front of me anymore) - my answers to both were "not sure" but they made me wonder if these statements are actually true. If they are I feel very illinformed and would like to learn more about this subject.

People should be more tolerant, despite their displeasure, because the world is not just about them, it's about other people too.