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Transphobia is a term used to describe irrational fear, hatred, or discrimination against transgender people. This prejudice can take many forms, such as harassment, violence, exclusion, and microaggressions. Despite significant advances in LGBTQ+ rights in recent years, transphobia continues to be a prevalent issue in today's society. This can be seen in various spheres of life, including education, healthcare, employment, and even in the criminal justice system. For instance, many transgender individuals face obstacles to accessing basic health care, such as hormone therapy or gender-affirming surgeries, due to the lack of coverage or the refusal of medical providers to treat them. Moreover, transphobia is often reflected in discriminatory laws, such as the infamous "bathroom bills," which restrict transgender people from using restrooms that match their gender identity.
Learning about transphobia is important because it is a significant social justice issue that affects the lives of transgender people around the world. Understanding the effects of transphobia and the lived experiences of transgender individuals can help to create a more compassionate and equitable society. It can also help to raise awareness of the harm caused by discriminatory attitudes and behaviors, and promote empathy and respect for those who identify as transgender. Moreover, learning about transphobia can provide insight into the larger issue of gender discrimination, which is a prevalent issue in society. By addressing and combating transphobia, we can work towards creating a more inclusive, diverse, and accepting world, where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.
The watercolor painting portrays a person who was formerly a woman but has now transitioned into a male. The scar that runs across the chest represents the top surgery scar, which is a procedure performed to masculinize or feminize the chest. This procedure, also known as chest masculinization or feminization, involves the removal or augmentation of breast tissue, and sometimes includes reshaping and repositioning of the nipples to create a more affirming appearance. Surgeons use various surgical techniques to achieve this.
"Out of the wardrobe," tells the story of a man who, after being married to a woman, comes out as transgender. Initially, his wife is furious and rejects him, but over time, she learns to embrace him for who he truly is, and they enjoy a fulfilling relationship. This song effectively captures the transgender experience by illustrating the difficult emotions and pushback that transgender individuals may encounter, but also the beauty and happiness that can result when they are accepted and loved for who they are.
The statistics presented are sourced from the Trevor Project, a non-profit organization that prioritizes mental health for LGBTQ+ individuals. These figures were obtained through a survey of almost 34,000 LGBTQ+ young people between the ages of 13 and 24 from all regions of the United States. Of those surveyed, 45% identified as LGBTQ+ youth of color, and 48% identified as transgender or nonbinary. I felt as if these statistics really capture how prevalent transphobia is in our society and how it often goes undetected.
Parenthood, Planned. “What's Transphobia and Transmisia?” Planned Parenthood, 2022. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/gender-identity/transgender/whats-transphobia.
Yurcaba, Jo. “Refusal to Treat, Verbal Abuse: Trans People Face Overwhelming Health Care Discrimination.” NBCNews.com. NBCUniversal News Group, August 18, 2021. https://www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-health-and-wellness/nearly-half-trans-people-mistreated-medical-providers-report-finds-rcna1695.
Glsen, Editors. “4 Big Problems with Anti-Trans Bathroom Bills – and How You Can Help.” GLSEN, 2022. https://www.glsen.org/blog/4-big-problems-anti-trans-bathroom-bills-and-how-you-can-help.
Trevor, Project. “2022 National Survey on LGBTQ Youth Mental Health.” The Trevor Project, 2022. https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2022/.