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We would like to thank Drs. Celenza, Seil, Kaufman, and Slavin for their thoughtful discussions of our paper “From Fragmentation to Fluidity: A Postmodern Solution to a Case of Gender Identity Disorder.” We will briefly comment on each discussion by responding to the key points that most compelled us.
In order to respond to Dr. Celenza's discussion, we need to add the most recent clinical developments pertaining to E. Recently, E had surgery to remove her testicles, though the scrotal sack remains intact. One month prior to the surgery, E began a successful intimate relationship with another male-to-female transsexual (who also had an orchiectomy after E did). In the first session after E's orchiectomy, E said that she might stop her pursuit of surgical procedures with the orchiectomy. In deciding not to proceed with the full genital reassignment surgery, she said, “Perhaps the fantasy of the vagina is better than the reality would be. I am also concerned about the risks and pain involved in such an extensive surgical procedure.”
In line with Dr. Celenza's emphasis on psychic playspace, E articulated her wish to perhaps play in fantasy with the idea of having a vagina, rather than concretely possessing one. E is also importantly, and for the first time, concerned about mutilating her body. In a recent session, I asked E what might make the complete vaginal surgery still appealing to her.