Busy Time For World’s First Professor Of... (Press, 15 December 1988)

In December 1988, Louis Gooren was appointed the world’s first professor of transsexuality at Amsterdam’s Free University, a significant milestone in the field of gender identity and transsexual health. Since taking on this role, Gooren has been inundated with phone calls, illustrating the growing public interest and the need for discussion around the struggles faced by transsexual individuals. He emphasised the importance of visibility and understanding, stating that appearances on media platforms, like his recent television show with a trans woman, are vital in challenging societal perceptions. Professor Gooren highlighted that transsexuality is a global phenomenon, affecting one in 20,000 men and one in 50,000 women according to Dutch statistics. He noted the increasing awareness of transsexual issues, which has evolved since research on the topic began in the 1950s. Gooren's university hospital has maintained a supportive stance on sex change procedures, unlike certain clinics in the United States, which have faced backlash from conservative groups. Gooren outlined the rigorous process hopeful candidates undergo before receiving a sex change, including six months of psychological evaluations. This is intended to ensure that individuals fully comprehend the potential repercussions of their decision, which may include loss of relationships and employment. The financial aspect is manageable in the Netherlands, with the cost of the procedure around $16,270, covered by health insurers. The transition process, which takes about three to four years, involves immediate changes to one's presentation in accordance with their gender identity. This adjustment can be challenging, particularly for men dressing as women before any physical changes. Gooren also mentioned that not all cases require surgery; some individuals might benefit from alternative treatments to help them manage their gender dysphoria without undergoing a sex change. The surgical process itself involves hormone treatments that gradually alter the body, followed by genital surgery. Gooren was candid about the limitations of these operations, noting that while physical changes can be made, the functional aspects of the body cannot always be replicated. He cited successful cases where trans men, after transitioning, had fulfilling relationships despite the imperfections of surgical outcomes. Gooren also pointed out the complexities surrounding the causes of transsexuality, noting instances, such as identical twins where one identified as transsexual and the other did not, suggest that the factors at play are likely very nuanced. He expressed the intention of his new chair not only to enhance practical surgical techniques but also to further research the underlying mysteries of transsexuality. Gooren hopes that insights gained from the experiences of individuals undergoing such drastic hormonal changes could have broader applications in medical science. Overall, his work aims to foster understanding and acceptance of transsexual individuals while addressing their unique challenges.

The text on this page is created, in the most part, using Generative AI and so may contain errors or omissions. It is supplied to you without guarantee or warranty of correctness. If you find an error or would like to make a content suggestion please get in contact

The text on this page is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 New Zealand