Gender... acceptance of change | Mark Hommes | TEDxOpenUniversiteitHeerlen

As a psychologist, Mark studies the influence of stigma on the wellbeing of transgender people. A growing number of people state that they feel discomfort with the sex they were assigned at birth. We call this gender dysphoria. For people with gender dysphoria their biological sex does not (or not completely) fit their gender identity. Growing up with gender dysphoria is quite a challenge. And beside this there is stigma to deal with. Over the years a number of things have changed in our understanding of gender dysphoria: we are making a fundamental shift. Mark Hommes examines the effects of (self)stigma, social support and coping on the wellbeing of transgender individuals. He does so before, during and after gender reaffirming treatment (transition) thus exploring the effects of such a treatment on the lives of the transgender person, their families and their environment. Through studying these experiences (both from quantitative data and direct personal experience) his main interest is now shifting towards the question ‘what makes gender reaffirming treatment successful in enhancing happiness?’. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx