The Science of Being Transgender ft. Gigi Gorgeous

What can science teach us about gender identity and dysphoria?
Thanks so much to Gigi Gorgeous! https://youtu.be/83jGTVHGj1Y
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The Trevor Project's 24/7/365 Lifeline at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) or https://www.thetrevorproject.org
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255)
Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860

Created by: Mitchell Moffit and Gregory Brown
Written by: Jodre Datu, Greg Brown and Mitch Moffit
Illustrated by: Max Simmons
Edited by: Sel Ghebrehiwot
Narrated by: Mitch Moffit

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Further Reading/References
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK9967/
http://www.encyclopedia.com/science/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/xx-male-syndrome-0
https://academic.oup.com/endo/article/142/8/3281/2988779
http://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/males-and-females-differ-in-specific-brain-structures
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3896179/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350266/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21334362
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4350266/
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/917990-overview#a4
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7477289
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22941717
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4037295/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10983252
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17765230
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23398495
https://williamsinstitute.law.ucla.edu/wp-content/uploads/AFSP-Williams-Suicide-Report-Final.pdf
https://globalnews.ca/news/3648571/transgender-gene-study/
http://www.apa.org/topics/lgbt/transgender.aspx
http://www.bu.edu/research/articles/lgbt-issues-stem-diversity/
https://www.newscientist.com/article/dn26511-out-in-the-open-is-science-lgbt-friendly/
https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/01/remembering-the-transgender-scientist-who-changed-our-understanding-of-the-brain/549458/
https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lgbt-biology/born-this-way-researchers-explore-the-science-of-gender-identity-idUSKBN1AJ0F0

There's a lot of
misinformation out there

about what it means
to be a transgender

but recently,
Scientists have begun to look into

the Neurology, Physiology, and
Psychology

behind it.

So today we're gonna

break down what
Science does know

in a respectful and educational way

Hey guys! I'm Gigi Gorgeous and,

today, I'm here with
ASAPScience

to break down Science
of Being Transgender

Before we get to deep into it,

we have to look at your genetic sex.

Or the chromosomes you have.

These were determine
right at fertilization

When the sperm cell from your father

which carries an 'X' or a 'Y' chromosome

fuse with the egg from your mother,
which carries an 'X' chromosome.

But until 6 or 7 weeks
after fertilization,

both 'XY' and 'XX' embryos

have identical Gonads.

Around 7 weeks

the male sex organs start to develop

because of a gene on 'Y' chromosome

called 'SRY'

It causes cells to become more specialized

and these cells create 'Testosterone'

which in turn triggers
the development

of structure like the penis & scrotum

while other cells block female

development by degenerating
the female ducts.

However,
in female development,

because there is no

'Y' chromosome
with the 'SRY' gene

These ducts stay intact
and become

the uterus cervix,
upper vagina, and the oviduct

with the help of Estrogen, &
chemicals secreted

by the early kidney.

but, it's not always
that simple,

there are sometimes even
RARE COMBINATIONS

like 'XXY',

'XXX'

'XXYY' etc.

And even people
with 'XX" Chromosomes

that develop male genitals
& characteristics

due to a piece of the 'Y'
chromosome breaking off,

and switching places to
an 'X' chromosome.

But SEXUAL DIFFERENTIATION
in a brain, actually

happens much later
than Gonadal Differentiation.

And yes,
although controversial

Male and Female
brains have structural

and functional differences
between each other.

Studies have found

that males generally

have a larger cerebrum
cerebellum.

and hippo campus.

While females have

higher density left frontal lobe,

and larger volumes

in the right frontal lobe.

So what exactly do we see
when we look at the brain?

of a transgender person?

Several studies have shown that

transgender brains
are both

structurally and functionally

more similar to their experienced
gender identity

than their biological sex.

One study found that transwomen who

despite being assigned male at birth

had a smaller female size structure
in the hypothalamus.

MRI scans also show the

brain structures of trans people

to be more similar in thickness into their

experienced gender and not their sex.

Finally, the pheromone
Androstadienone

causes
different hypothalamic

responses in male
and female brains

And, when individuals

with Gender Dysphoria
were exposed to it,

hypothalamic response

matches their perceived gender

rather than their sex.

These studies help to
highlight how

masculinization or
feminization

of the Gonads is not
always the same as the brain

and that there's a difference between

your sex or your anatomy
& gender

or how you perceived
your own body.

There also seems to be

a genetic component
to transgender identity.

Looking at family histories

of gender identity
incongruence

seems to run in the family,

meaning they maybe inherited

The 'CYP17' gene which controls

the body's level of sex hormones

has a changed allele that is expressed

frequently in trans man.

Although, more
research could be done,

scientists are currently
at looking over

3 Million DNA Markers
for transgender identity

to investigate any genetic
link for being trans.

Even though scientific studies

validate the experience
of transgender people

There's still more suffering from

depression and anxiety
than the general public.

The risk of suicide

is more prominent in transgender people

who have been rejected by their family

discriminated in their workplace,

or in health care.

Sucide risks seems to

decreased after gender transitioning.

Suggesting that gender dysphoria can cause

an extreme amount of emotional pain

even to the point of suicide.

If you, a family member, or a friend is

suffering from gender dysphoria ,

there are few links in the description

for more information.

Thank you so much
for being part of this video,

it means so much and we're happy

you were here to do this with us.

GIGI: Ah, thank you guys for
using your channel,

your
experiences

validating transgender
with science

which brings us closer
to equality.

Mitch: Absolutely

If you guys wanna
check out Gigi's Channel

we'll put links in the
description

or on the screen
somewhere. Otherwise,

you can subscribe
for Science here

every week, and we'll
see you next time. PEACE!