Gender identification and the female impersonator

This case study supports the plea by a number of psychiatrists for thorough psychiatric and psychologic screening of all persons seeking sexual reassignment surgery. The patient, a female impersonator taking estrogen, was seriously considering such an operation in order to cope with identity problems and an inability to achieve gratification in life. His psychiatric and psychologic evaluations indicated that his profession and desire for anatomic change were more a reflection of a borderline personality than true feminine gender identity.