Trans people and their struggle occupies a big place in my thought space. Moreso now than usual, because one of the people closest to me is beginning to move towards transitioning. The concept of questioning is central to my life and transgender people are forced to question something others are able to take for granted. What does it mean, exactly, to be "male" or "female"?
I am cisgendered; that means I was born with an external appearance and physiognomy that matches my internal experience of gender. I have a great deal of privilege as a result. Gender is one of the most basic ways in which we identify, more seemingly essential than race or culture or age or attractiveness or wealth. Having a body that anyone could look at and treat as the gender I identify with paves over an enormous number of issues that trans people must encounter every day. Like than many other groups, trans people are "other," they are a minority.
Many people are upset by the idea of not-immediately-obvious-gender to the point of rage and violence. There is a terror at the concept that gender is not as solid a foundation as one might believe. Of course if one has studied feminism one knows that gender expectations are cruel and wrong, but there is still a big cognitive leap between "boys should get their own easy bake ovens" and "being a boy doesn't necessarily mean having a penis." A person whose appearance is between or not instantly gender obvious is whispered about and pointed at, and sometimes much worse.
I just read this excellent and very accessible explanation of the definitions of cis and trans. It really puts into perspective what cis privilege is, while still being compassionate towards cis people who may not be ready to identify as such. Each of us, actually, gets to decide how we identify. Even if you have lived all your life without questioning the gender you were assigned, you get to question it now if you want, and then decide that actually you are comfy with it, or not. You get to pick which parts of your gender, and its roles and forms, you want to partake in.
I think trans acceptance will be revolutionary for trans people themselves and for cis people. Cis people will get to break free of the policing and enforcement of gender which can be so damaging. And trans people will get to not be murdered anymore for who they are but instead loved and celebrated. As someone who is cis and who loves a trans person very much, that day cannot come soon enough.
I am cisgendered; that means I was born with an external appearance and physiognomy that matches my internal experience of gender. I have a great deal of privilege as a result. Gender is one of the most basic ways in which we identify, more seemingly essential than race or culture or age or attractiveness or wealth. Having a body that anyone could look at and treat as the gender I identify with paves over an enormous number of issues that trans people must encounter every day. Like than many other groups, trans people are "other," they are a minority.
Many people are upset by the idea of not-immediately-obvious-gender to the point of rage and violence. There is a terror at the concept that gender is not as solid a foundation as one might believe. Of course if one has studied feminism one knows that gender expectations are cruel and wrong, but there is still a big cognitive leap between "boys should get their own easy bake ovens" and "being a boy doesn't necessarily mean having a penis." A person whose appearance is between or not instantly gender obvious is whispered about and pointed at, and sometimes much worse.
I just read this excellent and very accessible explanation of the definitions of cis and trans. It really puts into perspective what cis privilege is, while still being compassionate towards cis people who may not be ready to identify as such. Each of us, actually, gets to decide how we identify. Even if you have lived all your life without questioning the gender you were assigned, you get to question it now if you want, and then decide that actually you are comfy with it, or not. You get to pick which parts of your gender, and its roles and forms, you want to partake in.
I think trans acceptance will be revolutionary for trans people themselves and for cis people. Cis people will get to break free of the policing and enforcement of gender which can be so damaging. And trans people will get to not be murdered anymore for who they are but instead loved and celebrated. As someone who is cis and who loves a trans person very much, that day cannot come soon enough.
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barbary:
Hey. I feel the same way. It's shocking to see that even in the Bay Area, where I like to think we all are lgbt friendly and open minded, trans people are discriminated against. I saw it happen to a good friend who recently got fired, most likely for his gender expression. I'm glad you posted this for folks who may not know anyone trans to think about it! Also, I apologize for meeting you briefly at Pop's a few weeks ago and totally not recognizing you! Ill try to come in soon to properly meet you and hang out! Xoxo
thistle:
@barbary that would be awesome, I'd love to meet you for realsie!