Trans 101 PSA
Thanks to everyone who helped. I'm somewhat disappointed it didn't come out any longer, but I feel like I included just about everything that was relevant, and even did some of my own research related to the legal aspects.
Trans 101: Understanding Varying Gender Identities
Many cisgender (non-transgender) individuals are confused by or simply don't understand the transgender community. Realize that you aren't alone and it's perfectly normal to have questions, as society constructs strict gender roles that people are expected to adhere to. However, not everyone accepts the binary gender model, while other people were born the incorrect sex. They aren't wrong, immoral, or unnatural, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Know The Nuances:
It's important to note that while we speak in broad terms, the transgender community is not monolithic. In fact, there are a variety of sub-sections to the transgender population:
Source
Please see the PSA on LGBT Allies for more defined terms.
A common misconception - based on ignorant stereotypes - is that homosexuality and transgenderism are one in the same (i.e. all gay people are transgender, or all transgender people are gay). This is not true. Sexual orientation and gender identity are totally different things. Just because someone is gay does not mean that they are transgender, and transsexual people can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, etc. Gender is not indicative of one's sexuality.
Similarly, no trans person comes to the realization that their gender and sex are conflicting, lightly. While some realize this at a young age (even in early childhood), many others don't come to grips with who they truly are until later in life. To put it in perspective, imagine you're trapped in the wrong body, and have no way to escape. Dysphoria is not something anyone wants or has a choice in, or does to escape something else. A FtM transsexual who is sexually attracted to women is not transitioning because they're freaked out that they're a lesbian if they don't transition, and would rather be straight. It simply doesn't work that way.
Please click here or here for more information on transitioning, and go here for more information on transsexuals.
Common Courtesy:
Gender identity disorder is a legitimate medical condition, and some might argue, a birth defect. Simply put, transsexual persons were born the wrong sex (they were born as a male but their true self is female, or vice versa). It is imperative that you know and respect your trans friends' preferred pronouns. If you're unsure, ask them want they want. As a general rule, if they are MtF, refer to the person as “she” or “her.” If the person is FtM, use “he” and “him.” This applies even if the person has not physically transitioned with either top or bottom surgery. To not use the proper pronouns is insensitive and disrespectful, and can be interpreted as maliciously intended. Likewise, use the adopted name (for example, if a FtM person's birth name was Michelle but their chosen name is Michael, call them Michael). It hurts when a transsexual person is referred to by their birth sex.
Please realize that asking a trans person about life under their birth sex, surgery history, genital status, etc. is inappropriate, unless they've made it clear that they're comfortable discussing it with you. Some people are more open to discussing their personal experiences, but it's generally rude to go up to someone you don't know and ask them questions relating to their body. Likewise, don't assume that you can tell whether someone is trans. Those who have fully transitioned and are living in stealth are often indistinguishable from those who were born the correct sex. Even if someone doesn't pass for their true gender, it's a crushing insult to point it out or mock them.
Other Resources:
Like homosexuals and bisexuals, transgender people suffer prejudice and discrimination. The transgender community is victimized through hate crimes, and depending on jurisdiction, transgender people may be fired from their job without cause, evicted from or denied housing, and must often use inadequate public facilities (i.e. no unisex restrooms). Similarly, for transsexuals, it is incredibly expensive to undergo sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapy, which may or may not be covered by their insurance policy. These are very real concerns facing the transgender community.
As it stands, Only 8 states and one city have hate crime laws that include gender identity as a protected class. Likewise, only 13 states and Washington D.C. have non-discrimination laws covering gender identity or expression. While 93 cities and counties have taken the initiative to do the right thing, many transgender people live without the legal protections. Only 116 colleges/higher education systems have non-discrimination policies.
For more detailed information on the legal barriers facing the transgender community, visit the Transgender Law & Policy Institute. If you have specific questions, contact a lawyer in your area.
People learn in different ways. Because of that, we've compiled a list of things you may be interested in watching if you want more creative examples or to go beyond words:
Trans 101: Understanding Varying Gender Identities
Many cisgender (non-transgender) individuals are confused by or simply don't understand the transgender community. Realize that you aren't alone and it's perfectly normal to have questions, as society constructs strict gender roles that people are expected to adhere to. However, not everyone accepts the binary gender model, while other people were born the incorrect sex. They aren't wrong, immoral, or unnatural, and deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.
Know The Nuances:
It's important to note that while we speak in broad terms, the transgender community is not monolithic. In fact, there are a variety of sub-sections to the transgender population:
Source
Please see the PSA on LGBT Allies for more defined terms.
A common misconception - based on ignorant stereotypes - is that homosexuality and transgenderism are one in the same (i.e. all gay people are transgender, or all transgender people are gay). This is not true. Sexual orientation and gender identity are totally different things. Just because someone is gay does not mean that they are transgender, and transsexual people can be heterosexual, homosexual, bisexual, pansexual, etc. Gender is not indicative of one's sexuality.
Similarly, no trans person comes to the realization that their gender and sex are conflicting, lightly. While some realize this at a young age (even in early childhood), many others don't come to grips with who they truly are until later in life. To put it in perspective, imagine you're trapped in the wrong body, and have no way to escape. Dysphoria is not something anyone wants or has a choice in, or does to escape something else. A FtM transsexual who is sexually attracted to women is not transitioning because they're freaked out that they're a lesbian if they don't transition, and would rather be straight. It simply doesn't work that way.
Please click here or here for more information on transitioning, and go here for more information on transsexuals.
Common Courtesy:
Gender identity disorder is a legitimate medical condition, and some might argue, a birth defect. Simply put, transsexual persons were born the wrong sex (they were born as a male but their true self is female, or vice versa). It is imperative that you know and respect your trans friends' preferred pronouns. If you're unsure, ask them want they want. As a general rule, if they are MtF, refer to the person as “she” or “her.” If the person is FtM, use “he” and “him.” This applies even if the person has not physically transitioned with either top or bottom surgery. To not use the proper pronouns is insensitive and disrespectful, and can be interpreted as maliciously intended. Likewise, use the adopted name (for example, if a FtM person's birth name was Michelle but their chosen name is Michael, call them Michael). It hurts when a transsexual person is referred to by their birth sex.
Please realize that asking a trans person about life under their birth sex, surgery history, genital status, etc. is inappropriate, unless they've made it clear that they're comfortable discussing it with you. Some people are more open to discussing their personal experiences, but it's generally rude to go up to someone you don't know and ask them questions relating to their body. Likewise, don't assume that you can tell whether someone is trans. Those who have fully transitioned and are living in stealth are often indistinguishable from those who were born the correct sex. Even if someone doesn't pass for their true gender, it's a crushing insult to point it out or mock them.
Other Resources:
Like homosexuals and bisexuals, transgender people suffer prejudice and discrimination. The transgender community is victimized through hate crimes, and depending on jurisdiction, transgender people may be fired from their job without cause, evicted from or denied housing, and must often use inadequate public facilities (i.e. no unisex restrooms). Similarly, for transsexuals, it is incredibly expensive to undergo sex reassignment surgery or hormone therapy, which may or may not be covered by their insurance policy. These are very real concerns facing the transgender community.
As it stands, Only 8 states and one city have hate crime laws that include gender identity as a protected class. Likewise, only 13 states and Washington D.C. have non-discrimination laws covering gender identity or expression. While 93 cities and counties have taken the initiative to do the right thing, many transgender people live without the legal protections. Only 116 colleges/higher education systems have non-discrimination policies.
For more detailed information on the legal barriers facing the transgender community, visit the Transgender Law & Policy Institute. If you have specific questions, contact a lawyer in your area.
People learn in different ways. Because of that, we've compiled a list of things you may be interested in watching if you want more creative examples or to go beyond words:
- Transamerica (full-length film)
- Boys Don't Cry (full-length film)
- Beautiful Daughters (documentary)
- Transgeneration (documentary)
- Transgender 101 (video clip)
- Click here for more examples of transgenderism portrayed on film and in TV