The following article was found in an archive of the Highlander, Volume 42, Number 25. It was written by Abby Garcia and platforms the voice of Rhode Vergara, a transsexual man.Transsexual speaks out
by ABBY GARCIA
FEATURES EDITOR
Rhode Vergara is genetically female, but psychologically male.
Vergara is a transsexual.
"Transsexuals assume gender opposite of their anatomical sex. Our state of mind i more of the opposite sex," Vergara said.
At first glance, Vergara looks masculine. Vergara is usually garbed in typical "male" attire—denim jeans, baseball T-shirt, with hair cropped short. Vergara uses the men's room.
So don't call Vergara a woman.
"He" voiced opposition to being addressed as a female. Vergara is a self-identified transsexual male.
"I get offended when people call me a female. I believe people should be addressed as the person they are within, not the person's anatomical self," Vergara said.
Vergara realized "his" true gender at an early age. During grade school Vergara said "he" was attracted to women and sexually fantasized about Barbie dolls.
"I perceive myself to be more of a man than a woman," Vergara said. "I would assume the male gender role in a relationship."
Vergara said he felt uncomfortable with "his" anatomical sex. "Your genetic makeup does not dictate your gender," Vergara said. "Gender is more complex in the sense that it deals with the mind and the sexual brain."
There is a difference between a "transsexual female lesbian" and a "transsexual female heterosexual" in terms of sexual orientation, Vergara said. A "transsexual female lesbian" is a genetic male who identifies as a transsxual female but is sexually attracted to women, Vergara said. A "transsexual female heterosexual" is a genetic male who identifies as a transsexual female but is sexually attracted to men, Vergara said.
"Because I see myself as a man and I am sexually attracted to women, I am actually heterosexual," Vergara said.
Vergara admits transsexualism may sound confusing. "It's hard sometimes because you're afraid of how people will see you. You want peopl to understand, but you're also afraid of making people uncomfortable. They don't know how to address you."
Most people view "him" as a male, Vergara said. "Some people treat me as they aesthetically see me," Vergara said.
Vergara's birth name is "Marianne Rhode Vergara," which Vergara changed to "Rhode" upon discovering "his" transsexuality. "The siter of my ex-girlfriend still calls me 'Marianne' despite the constant objections and explanations that I've given her about my transsexuality," Vergara said. "I have a problem with that."
Riverside Community's Gay and Lesbian Hotline Conselor, 'Irv,' who prefers to remain anonymous, said transsexuals encompass one percent of the gay and lesbian population. Vergara disagreed with the statistic.
"A majority of transsexuals who are heterosexual are not part of the gay and lesbian population," Vergara said. "After surgery, transsexuals bury that part of their lives because it's too painful."
Vergara said transsexuals are viewed as a medical problem to the scientific arena. "The medical society sees it as a medical problem and not a sexual orientation problem which is why we are not protected by discrimination laws against sexual orientation."
Surgery will be painful and costly, but Vergara wants to go through with it. "I want to end that conflict between the mind and the body. I can't imagine going through life living this way," Vergara said.
Vergara said "his" family accepts "his" transsxuality, but does not support surgery.
Abby Garcia © 1994
