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Trans Awareness Week!
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What is Trans Awareness Week?
Trans Awareness Week is a week of raising awareness by trans people and our allies, around trans identities and the issues and prejudices we face. It leads up to the Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th that sees us reflect upon all the trans lives lost over the past year, including a thought to those that go into the dark having the world never known their true identity.
Being trans comes with a lot of challenges but it is also a thing of joy, pride and celebration. This should not be forgotten in the awareness, so as to not only showcase our identities as things of pain.
Additional reading.
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Black Trans Lives Matter
I would be remiss to not make a point of highlighting both the Black Lives Matter movement and an acknowledgement of the continuous work that Black trans people have done from the first day through to now in fighting for rights. From Marsha P. Johnson through to the many Black trans people still spearheading campaigns today, they have constantly fought not only for their own equality, but the rights of all of us. All while facing discrimination from inside and outside the community.
We need to do better by them.
Click here to learn more about and donate to organisations working to support and uplift Black trans lives.
Additional reading.
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What does it mean to be trans?
On a very basic level being trans means that your gender identity – that is the gender that you feel as part of your sense of core self – differs from that which you were assigned at birth. We form the T in LGBTQ+ and face unique discriminations and prejudices.
There are many identities that can fit under the umbrella of being trans, including Genderfluid, Agender and Non-Binary people, however it's worth noting that not all people within these groups identity or see themselves as trans. Which is why it's important to not immediately assume that just because someone is, say, Non-Binary that they consider themselves transgender.
What if I think I'm trans?
This is something you fundamentally have to decide yourself. However if you have had long-term conflicts between the gender you're living as and what you feel you are, then it could point to your being trans, non-binary or other gender identity.
There is no bar on what is "trans enough" and cisgender people don't typically spend their lives at war with their inner identity. If you're feeling this, it might be something to reflect on.
Additional reading.
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Creator Spotlight: Mathias Ball (he/they)
Born and raised in a small town on the Canadian coast of Lake Huron, Mathias is a trans-identified illustrator who draws inspiration from animals, emotions, and warm bright colours. He is a graduate from the Illustration program at Sheridan College. His dream is to illustrate a world depicting cute characters and lots of dogs.
View website.
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What does "TERF" or "Gender Critical" mean?
TERF stands for Trans Exclusionary Radical Feminist, and are people who perpetuate themselves as feminists and advocates for women's rights while, simultaneously, excluding and holding radical positions towards trans women. The Gender Critical viewpoint is that we should step away from recognising gender, in favour of identification by biological sex. The aim for each is to deny trans people their rights, their visibility and their ability to exist as themselves.
One well known TERF is JK Rowling, who views transition as a new form of gay conversion therapy and has been pivotal in preventing rights reform for trans people in the UK.
What do they say?
Commonly their arguments are recycled forms of homophobia. Like claiming we must fear trans people in bathrooms, or that our existence denies cishet people their rights. Sports has become another battleground, where they are keen to spread myths around trans bodies to elicit fear around our inclusion.
TERFs and GC followers will both claim to not be transphobic while also working to restrict the rights of trans people.
Additional reading.
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What is a "deadname" and why should I avoid it?
A deadname is the former name of someone in the LGBTQ+ community who has changed it. This is particularly common among trans people as a means to live our true identity, having been given a name that is typically used by those of the gender they were assigned at birth. By changing your name one is better able to be recognised as the gender identity you are.
Calling someone by their deadname is poor for several reasons, beyond just being disrespectful to the person in question. It can also be dangerous as it potentially outs someone as trans in a space where that might not be received well. It also opens a potential window for harassment by giving others a means to dig into their past life.
What does LGBTQIA+ mean?
LGBTQIA+, sometimes displayed as LGBT+ or LGBTQ+, stands for Lesbian, Gay, Bi, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex and Asexual. The plus sign is for the many groups within the umbrella for which the acronym doesn't directly account.
You may also come across 2S in the acronym, for two-spirit; a term for those with a masculine and feminine spirit in the same body, one that is important in some Indigenous cultures.
Additional reading.
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Creator Spotlight: Maddy Thorson (they/them)
Maddy Thorson is a trans non-binary game developer known by many as the co-creator of Celeste. Celeste is a game well beloved not only for its trans character, Madeline, but the journey she takes across the game in dealing with self-acceptance and combatting personal anxieties.
If you haven't had a chance to play it, I would recommend it!
View profile.
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Trans people and our representation in media
Recently a GLAAD survey highlighted that 80% of people in the USA didn't personally know someone who was out as being trans. The statistic is one likely to be shared across most countries and highlights an important issue; that the majority of people get their perception of us, our bodies and our issues from media. Media which has historically been content to present us as people to be mocked, reviled and, more recently, fetishized. In turn a lot of people's base understanding of us is transphobic in nature.
It also presents as an issue in comedy. As so much of transphobia has centred around the notion that we are a joke – something to be laughed at or our identities not taken seriously – there's little distinction between transphobic comedy and transphobia itself. Which is an issue when many comedians, like Dave Chappelle and Bill Burr, are content to perpetuate harmful ideas about us in their acts.
Cis people playing trans people
As in films like The Danish Woman and Dallas Buyers Club, having cisgender people play trans people of the opposite gender presents an issue. A common form of transphobia is in seeing trans people as little more than dress-up or acting the part of the opposite gender. Having actors do this in playing trans characters reinforces the notion that our identities are ones that can be put on or that we are disguising ourselves, especially in the case of known actors.
Watch Disclosure on Netflix.
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Creator Spotlight: Iman / alm0start (he/him)
Iman is a Black trans artist, college student and musician working via commission on twitter. Often representing aspects of queer culture and identities while boosting the work of others. It's definitely worth checking him out and giving him a follow if you want to see more of his work!
View profile.
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To all my trans brothers, sisters and those outside the binary..
You are valid and you are loved. Whether you're out of the closet or still in, I want you to know that I think you're beautiful and wonderful. That whatever challenges you face, your trans identity is one worth fighting for. I know it isn't easy or simple but there is a beauty and pride to be found in being trans. In being given the opportunity to truly understand our self and who we are.
I hope that wherever you are you can smile and show yourself some kindness. That you can nod and say "I'm trans" with pride. Take this week to celebrate yourself, your identity and being trans as a whole.
Whatever hardships we face, we are here and we are here to stay.
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