Tuesday 02-02-2021 - 07:33

Let’s talk about Transphobia.

 

Stonewall defines Transphobia as: “The fear or dislike of someone based on the fact they are trans, including denying their gender identity or refusing to accept it. Transphobia may be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, trans”

 

As a society, we have improved so much over the last few decades, but unfortunately preconceptions about the LGBTQ+ community are still rampant both in the online world of social media, where hate is boiled up by those too cowardly in many cases to use their name or face, and in-person where trans people are often subjected to physical and verbal abuse.

 

People often cite the old rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” but I can personally vouch that this is not the case.

 

You don’t need to be transgender to know that words do hurt and that they are the most powerful weapon that we as human beings at our disposal.  

 

In 2019, the number of transgender hate crimes reported by Police in England, Scotland and Wales increased by 81%.

 

Eighty-One percent. And that is also to remember those who have not reported hate crimes committed against them, whether out of fear, or sometimes, a lack of faith that anything will be done about it.

 

Transphobia can also be spread through myths about our community including but not limited to: that we are only transgender for attention; trans people are only trans if they present in the stereotypical way of their identity; that being trans is a new phenomenon that we have only started to see in the last few years.

 

Whether such comments are just uneducated, or intentionally fuelling flames for an already vulnerable community, these myths are indeed just that: myths, falsehoods, untruths, fake news.

 

Trans people face so many issues as a result of being who they are including being disowned or made homeless by their families when they come out. This is not only heart-breaking but an example of how Transphobia can even come from those who we love and trust most in the world.

 

 

 

Debunking Myths

 

It is also important to note that trans people have existed forever.

 

Take one Chevalier D’Eon who was born into a poor noble family and who lied about her sex so that she may live her life as a woman in a society that would have seen her killed for being who she was.

 

Or more recent example in Alan L. Hart who didn’t only pioneer the use of x-ray photography in tuberculosis detection and helped to implement TB screening programs which helped to save thousands of lives, but who was also one of the first trans men to undergo operations in the United States in 1917-1918.

 

We have come a long way since then, which can be seen through the overwhelming love and acceptance that was given to Elliot Page when they came out as identifying within the trans community in late 2020.

 

Unfortunately, though, as a society, we are not quite there yet as myself and many of my predecessors in this role can echo all too well.

 

I am proud to say that Edge Hill University and the associated Students’ Union stands firmly against transphobia and alongside discrimination policies that have been put forward to protect us. I have seen an overall overwhelming amount of support from lecturers and other teaching staff in different departments when I gave them Transgender Awareness Workshops earlier in this academic year.

 

As part of the Pride Week celebrations, we have released a Guidebook on subjects and issues faced by the transgender community which you can view here. Educating yourself can be a good way to avoid accidentally saying something that may be viewed as transphobic.

 

 

 

Support

 

At Edge Hill, you can report hate crimes through our EHSU Advice Centre which is a third party hate crime reporting centre. Simply email suadvice@edgehill.ac.uk.

 

You can also get in touch with EHU Student Services who offer a range of support in a variety of areas.  

 

If you need further support because you have experienced transphobia, these resources are here to help:

• Lancashire LGBT+: 07788 295521 or email at hello@lancslgbt.org.uk 
• LGBT Foundation: 0345 3 30 30 30 or email helpline@lgbt.foundation
• Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline: 0300 330 0630