Most myths and misconceptions are born from a lack of knowledge. If a topic gets political, it is likely going to get even more ridiculed, leaving it easy to forget that when we talk about the transgender community, we are talking about people, someone’s children, friends, cousins, or partners. That’s why information is power, so here are some of the most common untruths debunked that might help us understand the trans community better.
Social pressure can make younger believe they are transgender
This misconception is easiest to debunk. Considering that transgender people are four times more likely to be victims of vicious attacks, there is no way an adolescent or adult would choose to go through that just to be “cool.” The LGBTQ+ community went through similar misconceptions regarding the gay population, and it took time for most to understand that it is not a choice.
All trans people are Democrats/lefties
The KFF/Washington Post Trans Survey found six out of 10 transgender people do not identify as Democrats. Ten percent identified with the Republican party. Many expressed that the Democrats are not doing enough to protect them, while some support that children should not be taking puberty blockers.
Gender-affirming care is for trans people only
There are many examples of gender-affirming care being used outside transgender community. Some of the cases include gynecomastia, where boys develop breasts during puberty, or Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), which is effective in managing menopause symptoms and for breast cancer survivors.
There are two sexes
This is not entirely true simply because, for example, some people were born with both male and female reproductive organs, though there are several variations to being intersex. It affects roughly 1-2 in 100 people born in the U.S. Most of the time, an intersex baby gets doctors, and the family decides on one sex, male or female.
All transgender people had surgeries
Being transgender does not mean that a person had surgery; in fact, gender reassignment is less common than people think. Around 42 to 54% of transgender men and only 28% of trans women had their confirmation surgeries.
People regret transitioning
The vast majority do not regret transitioning. It does not mean it is impossible, but a Dutch study of nearly 7,000 transgender people found that regret was less than 1% among those who received treatment as adults. It is a common misconception because these stories are more likely to go viral. Why? Because they are rare.
It is a phase
Gender confusion could be a phase for some people, but this is a rarity. A recent 11-year Dutch study found it is more likely to be a “phase” among children. The study explained that gender confusion could be a result of low self-esteem during the preteen years, but it still demonstrated that some children grow up believing they were born in the wrong body.
Gender-affirming surgeries on children are common
Even before over 20 starts banned them, gender-affirming surgeries on minors were extremely rare. Commonly, these include the chest area, not the genitals. GnRHa, the so-called puberty suppression hormones, have been FDA-approved since 1985. They are generally used to treat endometriosis and prostate cancer.
They just want attention
Some people believe that transgender community seeks attention, nothing more. However, the reality is that there have been trans people since the beggning of time, though the first transitions happened in the 1920s. Dora Richter was the first transgender woman who underwent surgical removal of her male organs. It is too much stress on your body to do it just to be noticed.
Kids don’t know what they want
The dilemma regarding puberty blockers and trans youth is delicate and quite challenging. On the one hand, some believe that hormone therapy works better if it starts sooner. On the other, there is always a chance that a child might be confused. Gender dysphoria causes significant distress, so it is up to loved ones to have long conversations and show unconditional support.
It is all about the way you look
No one knows what causes gender dysphoria, but appearance is one thing that can be adjusted more easily. It is followed by anxiety, depression, and numerous other psychological disorders. It can be a fluctuating issue, with a person feeling good in their body for a while and experiencing distress again.
Transgender people suffer from mental disorders
The American Psychiatric Association no longer lists being transgender as a mental disorder. This change occurred in 2012. However, gender dysphoria comes with a set of disorders, so it is not uncommon for a trans person to have mental health issues.
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) found that 58% of transgender people had one psychiatric diagnosis.
Trans people are angry
People who are trans or nonbinary face numerous challenges, so if they appear angry or sad, it might be due to an increased risk for mood and anxiety disorders as well as social climate. A survey of more than 92,000 transgender people in the U.S. found that they are more satisfied after a transition, but they struggle with struggle with healthcare and workplace mistreatment.
Kate Smith, a self-proclaimed word nerd who relishes the power of language to inform, entertain, and inspire. Kate's passion for sharing knowledge and sparking meaningful conversations fuels her every word.