The Guide To Being Transgender

Isms and Eds

This is a topic that I've been meaning to talk about for a long time now. I guess I'll just jump right into it.

I am NOT transgendered.

I do NOT suffer transgenderism.

I AM a transgender person.

"Transgendered" makes it sound like some sort of condition. "Oh, don't pay attention to her. She's transgendered. They're special."

Even some people in the trans community say transgendered! That's not correct! I absolutely hate it. I am not transgendered. I am transgender. There's no need for the -ed on the end. You may agree or disagree with me, but that's how I feel.

I think it gives the cis/hets even more excuse to call it a mental illness and act like it's some horrible condition we suffer from. I think it hinders our ability to move forward, because this label is demeaning and takes away the humanity behind the word.

I'm not transgendered. I'm not a transgender. I am a transgender person.

Key word: person.

There's nothing we can do to stop cis people from using that term, but we can try to educate people so that they realize it's wrong. Even in the community; if you see someone use the term(s) transgendered and/or transgenderism, correct them politely and explain to them why it's dehumanizing to say those things. A lot of people don't even realize. That's why it's our job, as trans people, to communicate openly with and educate them.

Send our message out and uphold it without becoming an aggressor. When we start to get aggressive, it only enforces the view that we are wrong and disgusting, which isn't true. Be peaceful, polite, and calm about it.

Thank you.