Transphobia and Homophobia are not one in the same, although they often intertwine. "Homophobia" refers to hostility towards those in the LGBTQ community due to their sexual orientations; however, "transphobia" refers to discrimination against individuals based on their gender expression or gender identity. Unfortunately, the trans community often experiences homophobia when their gender identity is incorrectly associated with homosexuality.
Les Samuelson and Wayne Antony's Power and Resistance explains:
"The experiences of LGB people (who experience attractions to people of their own sex, and who may or may not be conventional in their gender identity and gender expression) should not be confused with those of trans people (whose gender identity or gender expression does not match societal conventions of their birth sex, and who may or may not experience same-sex attractions)" (Samuelson and Antony 74).
One of the reasons why these distinctions are often not clearly made is because of heteronormativity, which essentially asserts the idea that heterosexuality, and gender norms, are regular human characteristics. It even creates a problem within the very language of referring to members of the LGTBQ community.
Samuelson and Antony note that "discourse and language practices...powerfully structure our sense of self and our social relations" (Samuelson and Antony 75). When somebody refers to members of the community in the wrong way it becomes a social problem.
For example, if someone were to refer to an Aboriginal who identifies themselves as "two-spirit" as "lesbian", "gay", or "bisexual", they would be simataneously stripping them of their culture.
Ultimately, our group asks citizens of Lethbridge to understand these distinctions and refer to members of the LGTBQ properly, to benefit all of society. To be a real ally is an effort that is worth it.
Works Cited:
Samuelson, Les, and Wayne Antony. ""Homophobia High": Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Canadian Schools."Power and Resistance. 5 ed. Blackpoint: Fernwood Publishing , 2012. 72-90. Print.
For example, if someone were to refer to an Aboriginal who identifies themselves as "two-spirit" as "lesbian", "gay", or "bisexual", they would be simataneously stripping them of their culture.
Ultimately, our group asks citizens of Lethbridge to understand these distinctions and refer to members of the LGTBQ properly, to benefit all of society. To be a real ally is an effort that is worth it.
Works Cited:
Samuelson, Les, and Wayne Antony. ""Homophobia High": Sexual and Gender Minority Youth in Canadian Schools."Power and Resistance. 5 ed. Blackpoint: Fernwood Publishing , 2012. 72-90. Print.
There are many different terms used in to identify individuals within the community.Including, but not restricted to:
ReplyDeleteTransgender, transsexual, trans-identified, drag queen, cross-dresser,
androgyne, gender queer, she-male, two-spirit, tranny, transgenderist,
pangender, gender transition, bi-gender, gender identity, gender roles,
transphobia, genderism, passing, intersex, gender, gender dysphoria, gender
variance, assigned sex
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