Some expressions can be very prejudiced and need to be immediately removed from your vocabulary.
On the 29th of January, the National Day of Transgender Visibility and the date brings an important lesson in representativeness and respect.
Being transgender means that you are a person who does not identify with the gender you were assigned at birth. Different from a cisgender individual, who understands and agrees with the biological organ that was designated. Trans people, on the other hand, come into the world with a gender different from the one they were born with, and, therefore, begin to live according to what they resemble.
Transphobia is cruel and can end hundreds of lives scattered around. Some small details become immense when dealing with people and empathy with each other.
So, it’s time to change! How about eliminating transphobic phrases and comments from your vocabulary and helping in the fight against prejudice and violence?
We separate some transphobic words and expressions that should immediately leave your vocabulary.
1. Is what you have between your legs a penis or a vagina?
What an embarrassment, right? These types of questions aren’t asked of cis people, so they shouldn’t be asked of trans people either. This comment is invasive and may make the other person uncomfortable and embarrassed.
2. You look like a real man/woman.
Hang on, trans people ARE for real, not just look alike! So no saying that, okay?
3. Show me a picture of what you looked like before?
The past can be a painful area for a trans person. Therefore, never ask for pre-transition photos of a transgender person, this can activate a trigger and leave the person in a vulnerable situation.
4. How do you have sex?
First, this type of question is extremely invasive and should be avoided from being asked to anyone. You should only talk about it if you have a very trusting and intimate relationship with the person.
5. I’ve always been curious about being with a trans person.
Transgender people are hyper sexualized. This phrase fetishizes the trans body, which is still a victim of society and, unfortunately, is seen as something exotic that needs to be explored.
6. You don’t even look trans.
This phrase suggests that there is an ideal standard of what it is to be a man or a woman and that makes the trans person feel outside of this reality.
7. What’s your real name?
A trans’s real name is the one the person chose to have! That is, the person’s name is the one they identify with and feel comfortable with.
8. I am in a relationship with a trans person, but I am gay/lesbian.
If you are in a trans relationship, you need to respect your partner’s gender identity. Otherwise, you are invalidating the person.
Source: Maxima
I am an experienced author and journalist with a passion for lifestyle journalism. I currently work for Buna Times, one of the leading news websites in the world. I specialize in writing stories about health, wellness, fashion, beauty, interior design, and more. My articles have been featured on major publications such as The Guardian and The Huffington Post.