By Christyn Pettway
People identifying as transgender is nothing new, yet the discrimination against it is still here. Although there are now laws against it, people still choose hate and violence when it comes to transgender lives. I’m lucky to be part of a generation and community that is more likely to embrace people for their differences, but this acceptance shouldn’t just go as far as my own generation. Everyone should be accepting and supportive of transgender lives, more specifically their right to transition.
Being transgender means that one’s gender identity or expression doesn’t align with their sex assigned at birth. For most, a social transition is usually part of the “coming out” process to make those around them aware of the new pronouns and/or sexuality that align with their identity. “Transition Roadmap” from University of California, San Fransisco (UCSF) Transgender Care, a program of transgender medicine and surgery experts, explains that a social transition can range from coming out to those around you and legally changing your name, gender identity and pronouns, to changing your physical appearance whether surgical or non-surgical. Non-surgical transitioning would consist of packing and binding for those who want a masculine chest and genital contour, or tucking and stuffing for those who want a feminine chest and genital contour.
For some, a social transition isn’t enough. I think it’s safe to say that everyone can relate on some level to being insecure about their own body in some way, but this goes beyond that. Transgender people who seek medical transitioning do not feel like they belong in the body they’re born with. “Transition Roadmap” also explains what a medical transition can look like. Hormone therapy, speech therapy, fertility preservation, hair removal and chest, face, genital, or other gender-affirming surgeries are different steps a transgender person can take to feel more like themselves in their own bodies.
There are a number of reasons to support a transgender person’s transition. One reason is that transphobia spreads hate and sometimes even violence. Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines transphobia as an “irritational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people.” Because of transphobia, transgender people can face disapproval and unacceptance in different environments and social groups. American Civil Liberties Union, a nonprofit organization that defends and preserves the individual rights and liberties of everyone, states that “No one should be denied a job, a place to live, or access to a public place or business simply because of who they are. Unfortunately, these kinds of rejection are all too common for transgender people.”
Some fail to realize that transphobia goes further than disliking someone’s choice to transition; transgender lives are sometimes uncared for, unprotected and at risk. TransEquality, a non-profit orginaization that aims to advance transgender equality in the United States has recorded that in only August of 2020, 28 people were murdered or died suspiciously for being transgender. This surpasses the 26 deaths of transgender people documented the year before. Of course, not everyone who is transphobic is going out and killing transgender people directly, but the hate they spread contributes to these deaths. Anyone who is spreading this hate is playing a role in the deaths of those in the trans community.
Another reason to support transgender transitioning is that non acceptance sometimes leads transgender people to harm themselves. No matter where you fall into the LGBTQ+ community, coming out presents the risk of being rejected by family and friends. This feeling of neglect and sometimes harassment has caused transgender people to put themselves in harm’s way by accepting physical and mental abuse from the people around them. It has even led some to commit suicide. The largest LGBTQ+ advocacy organization, also known as the Human Rights Campaign, explains that “Many transgender young people experience family rejection, bullying and harassment, or feel unsafe for simply being who they are- all of which can be added risk factors for suicide,” but that promoting inclusivity and diversity can help. When they mention this, they’re referring to in a classroom setting, but this should be applied in general. People need to become more aware and informed on transgender transitioning and more accepting of everyone’s differences.
The main reason to support transgender transitioning is simply because it’s basic human decency. Seeing as how we can never truly understand their experience, how can one speak against something that has nothing to do with them? Time and time again, we see people making decisions for other groups of people. Like old white men making decisions about women’s bodies and their right to choose. Or straight white men deciding whether the LGBTQ+ community should have the right to marry. Notice a pattern? Why is this OK? It’s not. No one should be able to make decisions for a community they’re not even a part of, especially from a side that would take away the rights of said communities.
I recognize that it’s important for people to stand for what they believe in. I also recognize that people’s religions can conflict with supporting transgender lives. While it may be important to you to stick to your religion’s beliefs and rules, it is important to understand that the rules you set for you and your life do not apply to the lives of others. Therefore, even if you wouldn’t be accepting of a transgender identity or transitionfor yourself, it doesn’t change the fact that you should be supportive of someone else’s decisions and rights. For these reasons, transgender transitioning, whether social or medical, should be supported.
Comments