Microaggressions Frequently Experienced by Trans* People

Instead of What are you?

Which feels Dehumanizing, objectifying

Staring

Dehumanizing, embarrassing

Are you going to have the surgery? Whats your real name?

Invasive

Dismissive of trans* identity Painful reminder of an identity that doesnt fit them

Dividing into groups by gender: ie, Men vs Women; Mens team and womens team

HeI mean, sheI mean whatever.

Practicing. We all grew up in a world that creates expectations around what male and female look, behave and sound like. The only way to unlearn that is to practice! Try regender.com to see how things look when gender pronouns are swapped, or genderneutral pronouns are used! *What is a microaggression? The subtle ways in which body language, verbal language, and actions convey oppressive ideology about power or privilege against marginalized identities. Learn more: http://www.apa.org/monitor/2009/02/microaggression.aspx

Awkward for everyone; reinforces outdated gender stereotypes and rigid gender binary; puts trans* people on the spot Dismissive of trans* identity; feels like my right to my identity is outweighed by your discomfort.

Try What gender pronouns do you use? What communities do you claim? Remember: dont ask ONLY the Trans* person in the room; this is a question that should be asked privately or to everyone in the group. Educate yourself so that you are not surprised by transpeople; educate others so that the trans* person is not responsible for explaining their identity all the time Not askingyou wouldnt ask a cis-person about their genitalia or other medical/health issues. Accepting the name and pronoun the person gives you. You dont need to know their legal/birth name, and that person has chosen not to use that name for a reason. Counting off, using birthdates, other non-gender specific methods

Microaggressions Frequently Experienced by Trans* People