Elements

What eludes me still is how gender variance moves progressively from almost pure and even elective expression into identity (or transsexualism if you like) and what the key defining elements are. There are plenty of people who enjoy cross gender expression but have absolutely no wish to transition. For some this expression may be more mandatory than for others and begins at different stages of life (though for transsexuals typically very early). Additionally, as we move further into identity, the idea of choice appears to be increasingly removed from the equation.

My assembled research (which includes blogs) does not give me a firm answer even as I recognize some people could be put into general groupings. It's why I always am forced to go back to the idea of the overall variability of the human being as a safe refuge.

Categories provide insight to some extent (and Harry Benjamin employed them) but don't provide perfect answers regarding motivation and where it is sourced. That mixture of nature and nurture I believe is where the answer lies and how they blend uniquely in each person. That sexuality is involved is hardly surprising as this is a feature not easily isolated from the individual and yet with different relevance and focus for each.