But the parade of witnesses Wednesday, many transgendered, said that was not only fear-based but just flat-out wrong.
Divorce isn't always the solution for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and the transgendered who are in heterosexual marriages, therapists said.
Maureen Robinson, a Tucson woman, called barring transgendered people from using bathrooms silly.
Last September, Mike Halterman launched the Deep South's first regional lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered magazine, Out on the Town.
Patty Medway, a transgendered woman who was born a man, said she's been using female bathrooms for years without a problem.
Such a "monogamish" approach tends to be more common among gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people, notes sex therapist Margie Nichols.
For gay, bisexual and transgendered youth, he said, the fear of isolation can be intensified for those with strong religious backgrounds.
At age 48, Madden confessed these feelings to a doctor, and started seeing a gender therapist who suggested Madden was transgendered.
CNN: Born in male body, Jenny knew early that she was a girl
He has since been seeing a therapist with a mental health outreach program for gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered individuals, and finds this a much better fit.
While still relatively rare -- one advocate estimates that 0.25 to 0.5 percent of the American population is transgendered -- the idea of changing gender identity has become more widespread in recent years.
CNN: Born in male body, Jenny knew early that she was a girl
Diggs works primarily with black gay, bisexual and transgendered men, a community that is disproportionately affected by HIV and AIDS. In 2010, the CDC estimated that 72% of new HIV infections in young people were transmitted through same-sex, male sexual activity.
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