Whether you are a trans woman, or you know someone who is, you are probably curious about their experiences. This article provides a brief overview of the issues that transgender women face. We discuss issues like discrimination and violence, and the fluidity of gender expression. We also discuss the various options available to them.
Transsexuality
Historically, the term “transsexual” was used to qualify transgender people as mentally ill, or to justify mistreatment and discrimination. However, it has become increasingly clear that transgender identities are not a mental disorder. Today, transsexuals can choose to undergo medical procedures to align their anatomy with their gender identity, or they can choose to change their legal gender marker.
A transsexual person experiences intense dissatisfaction with the gender assigned to them at birth. They want to physically transition and might undergo gender confirmation surgery, or they might undergo hormone therapy. They can also choose to change their name.
Transsexuals also experience intense dissatisfaction with the physical aspects of sex. They may choose to wear clothing associated with the opposite sex.
Transsexuality is a complex and fluid experience, and transgender people may have a female sense of self or a male sense of self. Some people choose to be called a “woman” or a “man,” while others may prefer to be called “they” or “them.”
Gender is an undefined concept, and gender is interpreted differently by different cultures. People who do not identify as transgender can be sexually attracted to both genders.
Transgender identity
Term transgender identity is used to describe individuals who have a different gender identity than the one assigned to them at birth. These individuals may have a male sense of self, a female sense of self or neither.
Many transgender individuals face a variety of social and psychological challenges. Some experiences include sexual violence and discrimination. Others may have had to undergo surgery to transition. They may also experience gender dysphoria, an emotional state that is characterized by distress, anxiety, and unhappiness.
There are many resources to help you learn about gender identity. Some include The Fenway Institute. You may also want to seek guidance from other individuals. Some feel that having a medical diagnosis is essential to validating their experience. Others feel that it perpetuates a misguided assumption that all transgender people are mentally ill.
Gender expression
Having a trans woman’s gender expression can be both a blessing and a curse. Some transgender women will undergo painful surgery or have to face social isolation. For others, their gender expression will simply be a matter of choice.
Transgender people have always felt that their gender expression was beyond the boundaries of the male-female binary. Some transgender people use gender identifiers such as MtF, tranny, or MtX, but others will choose to present as a mixed-gender.
Gender is a social construct. It is based on an individual’s biological orientation, ranging from masculine to feminine. Gender is also interpreted differently by different cultures.
Gender expression is a physical manifestation of one’s gender identity. In some cases, a trans woman may choose to have surgery, wear a dyke, or undergo hormone therapy.
Gender fluid
Often, people who are gender fluid don’t use a label to identify with. They may change their clothing or even their name. They may also identify with different genders in different parts of their lives.
In the United States, a transgender person is someone who identifies as a male or a female. People who don’t fit into one of these categories are referred to as nonbinary or genderqueer.
There are many people who identify as transgender. Some of them may change their name and others may undergo gender related surgeries. Some may feel comfortable with their bodies, while others may experience extreme gender dysphoria. They may experience feelings of anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts.
Various states in the United States have passed laws prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. This is a result of the progress that has been made for LGBTQ rights.
Acts of violence and discrimination
Despite the recent surge in media coverage of anti-transgender violence, transgender women and men continue to face discrimination and violence in the United States. Whether through discrimination in the workplace, intimate partner violence, or arbitrary violence by strangers, transgender women and men face violence at alarming rates.
In addition to violence, discrimination also prevents transgender people from accessing health care, education, and other essential resources. These people are often excluded from jobs, and are also denied legal recognition of their gender. Discrimination also limits their ability to stay safe, as they are often prevented from accessing public transportation and a variety of anti-violence resources.
Anti-transgender violence is a public health issue, and governments are responsible for addressing patterns of violence against specific groups. For example, the Civil Rights Division secures federal hate crimes convictions and coordinates with local U.S. Attorney’s Offices to protect the rights of transgender and non-binary people.