[GoneGirl]

This a question (or group of questions) that requires some thought. I believe that for many of us, Dr Bushong's approach is incomplete because it is all about 'self'. Thus although it would seem clear that I am in his Stage 2, the situation is complicated by a powerful union I have with another person, my wife, which I increasingly feel is now developed well beyond sex or gender. Such unions between two persons are by no means limited to sexually originating unions; they may be between a parent and an adult child who never leaves home, between siblings, between friends, or in marriages having other than a sexual basis. They are characterised by a deep and strong personal interdependence and a substantial measure of cohabitation. It seems that a number of us have had long and largely successful marriages despite our gender identities, creating a union that may be as compelling to us as our need to transition. This is a factor that Dr Bushong seems to ignore.

Hmmm, I'm not sure I understand, Annie. Such unions or long standing relationships might be reason to limit one's transition so that reaching one's true self is not achieved, but how does that invalidate the three stage model he describes?

Clara