Topic: Trans Terminology is More Harmful Than You Think
Vice News started this discussion 2 years ago#109,855
Gender dysphoria is a term that describes the psychological distress that some people experience when their gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth. Gender identity is one's internal sense of being male, female, neither or both. Sex assigned at birth is based on physical characteristics such as genitals and chromosomes.
Some people who have gender dysphoria may identify as transgender or gender-diverse, meaning that their gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth. However, not all transgender or gender-diverse people experience gender dysphoria, and some may feel comfortable with their bodies and expression.
In this essay, I will discuss how some terms that are commonly used to refer to transgender or gender-diverse people can have negative effects on those who suffer from severe gender dysphoria. These terms include "transgender" and "trans", which are often used as adjectives or nouns to describe people whose gender identity does not match their sex assigned at birth.
One possible negative effect of these terms is that they can imply a binary view of gender, where there are only two options: male or female. This can be problematic for people who identify as non-binary, meaning that they do not fit into either category, or who have a fluid or changing sense of their gender. Using terms like "transgender" and "trans" can also suggest that one's gender identity is dependent on one's physical appearance or medical interventions, which may not be true for everyone.
Another possible negative effect of these terms is that they can emphasize the difference between one's gender identity and one's sex assigned at birth, which can trigger feelings of dysphoria or distress. For some people who have severe gender dysphoria, being reminded of this incongruence can cause anxiety, depression, self-harm or suicidal thoughts. Using terms like "transgender" and "trans" can also expose one to discrimination, harassment or violence from others who do not accept or understand their identity.
Therefore, it is important to be respectful and sensitive when using terms to refer to transgender or gender-diverse people who have severe gender dysphoria. Some possible alternatives are to use the person's preferred name and pronouns (e.g., he/him/his), to ask how they identify themselves (e.g., non-binary), or to avoid labeling them altogether (e.g., person). By doing so, we can acknowledge their identity without causing them harm.