4 Most Popular Transgender Myths Debunked!
There are many misconceptions out there about transgender people. Misconceptions that end up becoming a myth perpetuating themselves.
Stemming from and reinforced by:
Media portrayal of transgender people, especially on film and in the news.
Public figures talk openly about their opinion and views on transgender issues.
Religious institutional beliefs.
Political agendas.
Your own, family, friends, and coworkers’ ideas of gender.
Much of this information is not accurate or true. And is very harmful when it is perpetuated to a point of becoming “truth.”
Information that isn’t true or accurate creates fear! More than anything, it causes a backlash toward transgender people.
That’s why it is so important to address these misconceptions. Break them down. Destroy the lies.
Let’s take a look at the 4 most common transgender myths and why they are wrong.
#1 REAL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE KNOW WHO THEY ARE FROM A YOUNG AGE
Sadly, some clinicians still believe that a transgender person's narrative must begin at a very young age. Around 4 or 5 years old.
And while many transgender people do know their sense of who they are in relation to their gender at a young age, many do not.
In fact, I have personally worked with individuals who have realized their true gender in their 50s, 60, 70s, and even 80s!
Many of these people have never seen or heard of a transgender person. When you can’t see or know that something exists, you can’t name or makes sense of your personal experience.
As a result, you struggle to understand who you are within the confines of what you know. For many, those confines are made up of binary views of gender.
Transgender identity is complex! Often intertwined with gender expression, gender roles, sexuality, and the environment you grew up in.
The truth is there is no age at which you are supposed to know who you are in regard to your gender! It is simply impossible given that transgender identity is a multilayered, subjective, sense of how you relate to yourself.
#2 ALL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE FEEL LIKE THEY ARE TRAPPED IN THE WRONG BODY
This lie is perpetuated by the media and sadly, reinforced by the gatekeeping mental health community as a universal experience.
While some transgender people do feel this way, many do not.
The truth is, everyone’s experience of their body is different. Some feel there was a mistake with their body when they were born, others do not.
Some feel there was a mistake with their gender assignment while others don’t like the gendered assumptions that others place on their bodies.
And while many feel incongruence with their bodies, “feeling trapped” is seldom the case.
#3 ALL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE HATE THEIR BODIES
Many people make the assumption that all transgender people hate their bodies. They go as far as to assume that every transgender person wants to mutilate their genitals!
It is true that transgender people experience a disconnect and discomfort with certain body parts or features that communicate to the world the gender they don’t feel comfortable with.
And sure, some even go so far as to say they hate these body parts.
But to say that all transgender people feel hate toward their bodies is deeply overstated.
Truth is, many transgender people feel discomfort that can range from severe to mild.
And while they desire to undergo gender transition to modify their bodies, they do so with compassion and love toward themselves.
#4 ALL TRANSGENDER PEOPLE ARE GAY
This lie is rooted in people's lack of understanding about the differences between gender identity and sexual orientation.
It is important to remember that gender and sexuality are two different aspects of your inner Self.
Being transgender does not imply any specific sexual orientation nor does it imply any other personal preferences about you for that matter!
Let’s be clear! Who you are sexually attracted to is not linked to anatomy or to gender identity.
Sure as you start the transition and become more comfortable with yourself in regard to your gender, your sexual orientation may change.
The changes are caused more by your awareness of who you are and are not caused by your gender status. And if you want to learn more, watch: Will Your Sexuality Change as You Transition?
Transgender people may identify their sexual orientation as straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual, pansexual, asexual, etc.