Transphobia
Transphobia is a form of prejudice or discrimination against members of the trans community. It can take many forms, including verbal or physical harassment and violence. It can also be a form of abuse and can include the threat of ostracism from family, friends or places of worship.
Effects of Transphobia
When someone is a victim of transphobia, they may be afraid to come out or live a full life. It can affect them physically, emotionally, psychologically and socially, and they might feel like their identity is not good enough.
Ignorance and Hostility
Often it starts out as ignorance, but can develop into hostility or even fear over time. This can be due to misinformation or simply being new to the topic of transgender people.
Preventing Transphobia
If you’re a bystander, there are several ways that you can help prevent transphobia. You can support the person being targeted, or you can encourage them to speak up and change their attitudes.
You can also offer them information or resources that can help them understand the situation better and prevent transphobia in the future.
One example of this is providing books, films or websites that can educate the person being targeted about their rights and gender identity. Another is pointing them to groups that can provide them with advice and support.
The key is to make sure they get the help that they need, as well as ensuring their safety. If they are in danger, it’s important to call the police.
Educating Others
Educate your friends and relatives about the trans community, and tell them that you are there to support them. This can be hard for those with no prior knowledge of the community, but it’s important to try and help them understand what’s going on.
Using Appropriate Language
Avoid making jokes about trans people or using slurs against them, as they could be considered a form of transphobia. You can also ask them for their pronouns to avoid any confusion.
Use the correct pronouns – this is especially important for non-binary people and trans women who might not know how to say their pronouns or are worried about being misunderstood.
Respecting Privacy
Don’t out a friend in front of them without their consent – this is considered a form of transphobia, and it can be very dangerous. If you see someone being outed, be aware that they could be putting themselves at risk and contact the police if necessary.
Respecting Boundaries
If you’re not certain whether your friend is a transgender person, be careful about asking them about their genitals or their hormones. This is a form of transphobia that can lead to misunderstandings or even sexual violence.
Support and Encouragement
The most effective way to help someone with this is to listen to them and support them. Taking the time to help them work through their issues is an important step in building trust and encouraging them to overcome their fears.
You can also offer them support and friendship, and you can help them find out about different resources that they might benefit from.
