Trans Myth Busters.

Oh there are so many myths out there about us many of the myths were started by haters and some of the myths are harmful to us, they can even kill us.

Debunking transgender stereotypes and myths
Myths and stereotypes about transgender people have existed for decades. Sadly, these misconceptions can create a fear of trans people, as well as increase the rates of violence and poor mental health they experience.
Patient
By Emily Bashforth · Reviewed by Dr Krishna Vakharia
August 1, 2022


What does transgender mean?

Trans is an umbrella term that describes people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth.

LGBTQ+ human rights organisation Stonewall stresses that there is a lot of diversity within the trans community. Therefore, no two trans people are the same, just as no two cisgender people are the same. 'Cis' refers to someone who is not trans, and their gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

Also, not everyone identifies exclusively as 'male' or 'female'. There's a misconception that coming out as trans simply means someone wants to live as the 'opposite' gender, but gender exists on a spectrum - just like sexuality. While some trans people do identify as male or female, some might be genderfluid or non-binary.

The first myth that they tackle is, that trans is something new under the sun.

Transgender people have existed for centuries, with texts from 4,500 years ago suggesting that priests (known as Gala) of the Sumerian goddess Inanna were transgender. Following this, there were depictions of trans people in Mediterranean art around 3,700 years ago.

As for gender dysphoria, it is first documented in the Middle Ages. This term describes the distress and discomfort experienced by someone when their gender identity and the sex they were assigned at birth do not align.

It is really amazing if you look at books on trans history we go a long, long way back. Have you ever heard of Chevalier d'Eon? If not look them up on Google, it is fascinating.

All trans people have surgery

Not all transgender people medically transition or have surgery, and this is not a requirement for being trans. It also isn't as easy for trans people to access gender-affirming surgery as people often think, due to waiting lists.

There often seems to be a fixation on what genitals trans people have, but this is degrading and 

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"For others, surgery isn't something they want or need to feel happy with their body. It's the same with hormones, like testosterone, and oestrogen treatments. It's important to remember that being trans isn't about having a particular appearance or particular body parts. It's something that's absolutely core to a trans person's identity and doesn't alter - whatever their outward appearance might be."

Then we have the pet theory that the Republicans like to push that we are confused.

Transgender people are deceiving others

Being trans isn't about 'tricking' someone. Suggesting so implies that there's something deviant about being trans.

This misconception also suggests the majority of transgender people are 'confused' and not sure of their identity, but the stats suggest otherwise. In fact, 1 or 2% of trans people at most say they regret medically transitioning but might not necessarily detransition. On the flip side, when trans people have access to transgender healthcare and medical support throughout their journey, their mental health is better.

Then we have Texas “save the children” legal attacks,

Children cannot know that they are transgender

This is often a massive topic of discussion in newspapers and on TV panel shows. However, it's important to offer trans young people platforms to share their experiences. If you speak to a trans adult, there's a high likelihood they will say they 'knew' or had a feeling they were trans from a young age and having support from loved ones could have saved them a great deal of hardship.

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You might ask, but what if they change their mind? Well, as the stats show, a small percentage of trans people have regrets about transitioning. Even then, it might not be that someone has 'regrets', but rather that they've been on a journey of self-discovery and found another identity that is better suited to them. For others, being transgender in an environment that isn't accepting can be extremely traumatic.

There are so many myths about us and more are being generated each day by conservatives. I think their biggest myth is that we chose to be trans, that we wake up one day and think “Gee I think that it would be fun to be trans.” That it is a “lifestyle.”