Gender dysphoria (transsexualism) and cross-gender identification

The desire for assuming the physical characteristics of the opposite sex can be traced for thousands of years in many cultures (Bullough, 1976). Mythologies of many cultures give accounts of individuals who have been transformed to the opposite sex by the gods. Indeed, there are reports of surgical transformation which were performed in ancient times (Green, 1974). Likewise, the practice of living as a member of the opposite sex is found in many cultures including the American Indian (Green, 1974).