Gender Dysphoria: How do Specialized Centers Communicate to Potential Patients?

Disorders affecting sexuality have long been taboo subjects and even in present times they are considered highly sensitive issues. In order to reach self-fulfillment, people affected by these disorders must not only go through often long and complex medical and psychological treatments, but also have to struggle against many prejudices. Language has certainly an important role to play in this context: for instance, the debate around the terms “gender identity disorder” and “gender dysphoria” suggests that the choice of proper terms becomes part of the struggle towards recognition and equality. Terms, however, are not the only relevant aspect in this issue: to be successful, communication on the whole must be geared towards the specific needs of these individuals. In the present study, we analyze the communicative strategies employed on websites of centers specialized in the diagnosis and treatment of gender dysphoria, which may represent one of the first sources of information for those seeking help in these matters. Our analysis has been carried out on Italian, Dutch and German texts with the aim of identifying possible differences between these three language communities in the way of approaching the topic and addressing potential patients.