Let's Talk About the Gender Continuum, Baby

I haven't updated this in a while.  Mostly because I don't have anything to say.  I've been ensconced in an anemia-driven sleep spiral for quite a while, and have been averaging between 16 and 20 hours of sleep per day.  So, you know, I haven't had time to do much.

I did, however, want to write a little bit about the importance of supporting the trans* community.

41% of trans* individuals have attempted suicide.  One in four trans* people of color is murdered.  2% have been violently assaulted in a doctor's office.   And that is just violent assault, neglecting verbal abuse and other mistreatments.  There is such a lack of information about queer issues in our cultural dialogue, most people don't actually know a person transitions, the difference between a transgender and transexual individual, or what it means to identify as anything other than LGBT, like androgene or polysexual.

It's important to be informed because cisgendered individuals often don't even know that's what they are.  Because, when such rampant discrimination abounds, being an ally should mean that a person shouldn't have to justify themselves or answer uncomfortable questions that could have been googled.  Because people don't know that it's inappropriate to ask a trans* person if they've had surgery, or what their "real name" is, and these questions increase the feelings of isolation many know.

I know it isn't my place to make grand pronouncements or tell people what kind of language is appropriate.  I'm completely for free speech, as long as you recognize what you're actually saying and how it affects others.  Coming out is difficult enough without having to stick around and explain exactly what you're coming out as, and what that means.

This isn't just about those who identify as trans*, but everyone along the gender and sexual expression continuum.  People get categorized as either gay, straight, or bi (though those people are just looking for extra sex, right?), and this adds to the trauma many feel when trying to identify feelings that don't quite fit one of those categories.

I'm sorry if this doesn't make much sense, or if it seems like I'm generalizing, or if I come across as self-important; it's just so important for people to know about these issues, and they're so often completely ignored.  If it comes across a bit muddled, in my defense, I am very sleepy and the TV is on and distracting me.

If you'd like to learn more about different gender and sexual identities, these are some good websites to start with:

Let's Talk About Gender and Sexuality

The Gender Book

The Gender Spectrum

Live Science trans* Statistics