> To the person, what they perceive as their gender is a very real thing
To a schizophrenic, their delusions are very real. At a what point, when reality does not match a person's perceptions, do we judge their perceptions to be delusion, hallucination, or some other mental illness?
I don't know the answer to that question. There is probably not a clear dividing line, sort of like the heliopause at the edge of our solar system. But to declare these things as hard, clear facts is not correct.
> transsexuals would still opt to transition
We should be very clear about the results of transitioning. It does not result in female anatomy by an regular definition. It is a physical state that imitates the <female/male> anatomy, very superficially, with long term health consequences and perpetual maintenance. I suspect that this terminal state does not achieve the goals of trans folks, and is likely a major source of the ongoing emotional disturbance so commonly observed.
> But to declare these things as hard, clear facts is not correct.
Given the scientific evidence from fMRI, and post-partum biopsies of their brain, those things are very much real. They do not misinterpret reality.
Schizophrenic people do misinterpret reality, whereas transsexuals do not. Had transsexuals misinterpreted reality, they would not experience GID or Gender Dysphoria, nor would reality ie their sex, be a stressor.
> We should be very clear about the results of transitioning.
People are very clear about the results and consequences of transitioning, people don't do it on a whim, and fyi, transitioning is a very long and arduous process. It does not happen over a day; over a week; a month; or even a single year. The person chooses to walk that path every single day, and at least in Europe, they are well aware of both the consequences and the results.
> It does not result in female anatomy by an regular definition. It is a physical stake that imitates the <female/male> anatomy, very superficially, with long term health consequences and perpetual maintenance
Nobody is claiming it provides the person with a uterus, ovaries, or - if the person has transitioned into adulthood - skeletal structure.
On the other hand, it has very real changes; from brain region activations, taste, muscle tissue change, skin change, and a lot more. To claim that it does nothing would imply that it is needless, had it been needless, people wouldn't be fighting for better coverage, wouldn't ask for treatment, and on and on.
> I suspect that this terminal state does not achieve the goals of trans folks,
Sorry but at this point you are imposing your beliefs to argue for the experiences of other people, millions of them who contradict yours. At this point, it is good to listen carefully with the intent to learn over claiming what you believe is the truth.
> is likely a major source of the ongoing emotional disturbance so commonly observed.
Transition is a source of emotional disturbance when the person is not accepted, in fact, discrimination in workplace, housing, along with overall lack of acceptance from the broader society is the main source of stress and the main cause of detransition.
In-fact, people who transition early pass significantly easier, have the same outcomes as cis people, and get to live a happy life, in fact over 98% of people who transition early do not detransition. That's a big super-majority.
I recommend spending more time with actual trans people and being more empathetic towards people whose shoes you can not walk in.
