Transgender EuroStudy – Legal Survey and Focus ... - ILGA Europe

45 April 2008
Chart 4: The Current Age Distribution of the Respondents
16.0%
14.0%
12.0%
12,6%
13,6% 13,1%
13,9%
10.0%
9,7%
11,4%
10,0%
8.0%
6.0%
4.0%
5%
6,0%
2.0%
2,0%
0.0%
18-
21
21-
25
26-
30
31-
35
36-
40
41-
45
46-
50
51-
55
56-
60
61-
65
0,6% 0,2% 0,3%
66- 71- over
70 75 75
There is a normative population curve for the respondents profile, however its median value is
higher, at 38, than that of a usual population curve of adults at 36-40.
Age of Transition: The age that people were when they transitioned was predominately in
the 21st century (see Chart 5). There are several factors which may have influenced trans people
wanting to actively seek out medical solutions to their personal feelings: the increasing recognition of
transgender and transsexualism as an individual social problem that can impact considerably on a
person’s well being, alongside the growth in awareness of some people that transition might be
possible for them. Also the increasing social awareness, amongst some, that trans people, even if not
ordinary are not ‘dangerous’. And clearly for there to be the options for people increasingly to
transition, there is recognition that relief through the use of medical solutions such as hormone
therapy and surgery can (and maybe should) be afforded. Moreover it very likely shows the increasing
impact of trans social support groups as well as trans activists in communicating the message that
there is help, and there can be rights. One very strong factor will be the growth of internet use and the
facility to form online virtual communities. 54
54
For a detailed
discussion on how the
internet has mobilised
trans activism and
community networking,
see Whittle (1998).