This Is NOT What Trans Looks Like.
This is me: Devin-Norelle an androgynous identifying, person of trans- masculine experience. My body, my transition, my passing privilege is desirable among many. But I AM NOT what trans looks like. I am not other trans/gnc folks who have no desire for hormones, or surgery.
I am not the person who lacks the opportunity to obtain hormones or will never be capable of embodying certain passing privileges. I am sometimes not the non-passing gender-fluid person who is harassed on the street because of their ambiguity.
I am not a representation of all trans folx, nor will I ever be.
The trans masculine community & some of it’s visible leaders are sometimes so enthralled by cisgender conforming standards. We tend to celebrate one prosaic representation: masculine bodies, men with visible beards,and folx that pass. But the trajectory of our individual lives, & our actual lived experiences are indefinite; each of us eclipses these materialistic standards.
My shero @lavernecox said, “We need diverse media representations of trans folks to multiply trans narratives in the media and depict our beautiful diversities.” I’d like to add the inclusion of diversity isn’t limited to just the media. Following in the footsteps of Laverne and Janet, trans-masc leaders can do more to acknowledge the abundance of gender identities & expressions Let’s transition the conversation. Uplift the narratives of those who don’t fit the definition of “normal.” Reject exclusionary dialogue of identities. It is easy to blend in. It takes strength to stand up in solidarity with folx who have no voice or lost their voice in death because they were not deemed acceptable.
Normalize non-conforming beauty standards. Include more representation for the disability community. Bring more attention to femme, trans femme & AMAB folx who are constantly victims of violence. Discuss how trans-masculine folx can elevate trans-fem folx. Hold dialogue about the shortage of hormones, especially of estrogen, & how this is violence.
Lets celebrate our diversity. Let’s celebrate our lives. Let’s celebrate our beauty. Let’s celebrate striving to be our most authentic selves, regardless of the path taken or not taken.
This^ IS what Trans look like. We are trans men. We are trans women. We are gender non-conforming. We are bigender. We are agender. We are of different ethnicities and racial backgrounds. We exists in all shapes in sizes. Our gender presentations may vary, our identities are fluid, our expressions are unique, but we are all beautiful. “Trans people are exactly who they say they are, no matter what the culture or media would lead us to believe.” -@JanetMock
This too is what trans looks likes. Often times, trans is a story of sorrow, loss, pain and suffering. Many Trans women of color (TWOC) have lost their lives at the hands of others simply for living their truth. Their deaths are daily reminders that trans lives are not valued. Trans Women of Color in particular are subjected to such violence because they are black (or POC), are often times living below poverty, do not have access to certain health care that would help them pass, or are victims of transmisogyny (transphobia + sexism).
Several women have been killed because because of the false stereotype that they are gay men attempting to deceive straight men. The alarming rates of their deaths is also evidence that the most marginalized people of society are discriminated against for their existence. 19 Trans people have died this year, including 14 Trans women of color. The women above were killed during the summer of 2016. The deaths of these beautiful people become more difficult to read about each time, but their narratives are part of our truth and must be told.
#SayTheirNames (Above) Rest in Power Rae'Lynn Thomas, Erykah Tijernia, Skyee Mockabee, Dee Whigham, Deeniquia Dodds, Goddess Diamond, Mercedes Successful, Tyreece ‘Reecey’ Walker.
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AMAB: Assigned male at birth. (sources linked)
Trans Feminine refers to anyone with a feminine-of-center identity, especially those not assigned female at birth. This includes male-to-female transwomen, feminine-identified genderqueers, and others whose fabulousness cannot be defined. (source linked)
Trans Masculine refers to anyone with a masculine-of-center identity, especially those not assigned male at birth. This includes female-to-male transmen, masculine-identified genderqueers, and others whose fabulousness cannot be defined. (source linked)
Transmisogyny: the negative attitudes, expressed through cultural hate, individual and state violence, and discrimination directed toward trans women and trans and gender non-conforming people on the feminine end of the gender spectrum. (source linked)
