Six Myths About Trans Folks, Debunked!
Myths surrounding transness and transition permeate our culture. Most are rooted in transphobic assumptions and prejudice. Let’s debunk some of these together!
MYTH # 1: Allowing trans people to use the restroom of the gender they identify with will end up letting male sexual predators into women’s bathrooms.
REALITY: More US Congressmen have been convicted of sexual assault in a public bathroom than trans people. That’s because there have been zero reported cases brought up against trans people.
The myth that allowing trans people to use the restroom that aligns with their gender identity will end up letting sexual predators into women’s bathrooms is dangerous and false! Myths like these lead people to fear, and discriminate against, trans individuals.
According to Mara Keisling, executive director of the National Center for Transgender Equality, “there has never been a single reported case of sexual abuse perpetrated by a transgender person in a bathroom.” In reality, writer Amanda Wicks points out that “it seems like Republican lawmakers pose a greater risk - one that has actually been documented - than trans people when it comes to inappropriate behavior in bathrooms.”
MYTH # 2: Transitioning requires medical intervention.
REALITY: Transition is different for everyone, and does not necessarily need to involve medical intervention!
People often conflate “the surgery” (gender affirmation surgery) with when someone's transition is “complete”. Transition does not require medical intervention and can be anything from changing names, pronouns, presentation etc. While gender affirming procedures such as hormones and surgery may be one part of someone’s gender transition journey, it is not *required* for transition. Many trans folks don’t undergo surgery and that does not make their gender transition any less valid than those who do!
MYTH # 3: Gender affirming hormone therapy is irreversible.
REALITY: Gender affirming hormone therapy can be stopped and many changes are reversible.
One reason why some people may be hesitant to begin hormone therapy is because they believe the myth that the changes it brings are irreversible. However, while surgical procedures can be “permanent,” hormone therapy can easily be stopped at any time, and *many* (certainly not all) physical changes are actually reversible.
For example, did you know that…
- If someone stops estrogen they can experience a change in muscle mass?
- If anyone stops any hormone there can be changes in skin texture, fat distribution, libido, and more?
*these examples will differ depending on the person's genetics and duration of hormone treatment.
MYTH # 4: People who medically transition can’t have biological children.
REALITY: Trans folks can, and do, have biological children!
Some people (most parents) make the assumption that if a person medically transitions, they can’t have biological children. However, this is not necessarily true! There are many ways this can occur from sperm/egg banking, surrogacy, stopping hormones to produce eggs, to carrying and delivering a child.
Friendly neutralizing language reminder from Freddy McConnell: “if we say ‘maternity’ out of habit, but ‘pregnancy’ conveys the same meaning, let’s say ‘pregnancy’”. The same goes for “parental” leave!
MYTH # 5: Trans teens are going through a phase and will end up detransitioning.
REALITY: Being trans is not a phase, and only 1% of people who medically transition decide to detransition.
Have you ever heard someone say that transgender teens are going through a phase and will end up detransitioning? Adults sometimes use this myth to support their argument against a teen transitioning. However, those people are misinformed as being transgender is not a phase.
According to Dr. Stroumsa, “the 2015 U.S. Transgender Survey found that the majority of people who started hormones and then stopped, or regretted having started hormones, felt that way ‘not because they felt like it was the wrong decision for them, but because of peer pressure, family pressure, social pressure, fear of discrimination, actual discrimination.’”
MYTH # 6: Puberty blockers are medically unnecessary.
REALITY: Puberty blockers are life-saving healthcare.
Studies show that pubertal suppression for trans adolescents is associated with decreased lifetime suicidal ideation and overall better mental health outcomes. I can attest to witnessing the positive effects of blockers with clients in my practice and that starting them improved so many areas of functioning. Simply put: puberty blockers save lives. Doesn’t that sound medically necessary to you?!
Want to learn how to support the trans and gender non-conforming people in your life (including those who might not be out yet)?
Click here to download a free glossary of gender and sexuality terms!
Read my blog post Hope Is Not A Plan; Take Action For Trans Lives
Sign up for How To Talk To Kids About Gender, the course that helps parents and caregivers have the not-so-difficult conversations that matter about gender.
