Transgender Injustice

Overcoming Injustice Within the Transgender Community

Transgender is defined as a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond with their birth sex. Transgender (trans) people face many problems on a daily basis including discrimination, marginalization, and prejudice. Those who identify as transgender are continually required to validate themselves to everyone, including those in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Two Spirited, Queer (LGBTQ) community. This in and of itself is somewhat ironic as the LGBTQ community is supposed to be an accepting group. Trans people also face other problems that cisgendered people, those who identify with their birth sex, do not. Transgender youth go through their dysphoria, they face the

When people force this belief on transgender youth, they begin to believe it as the truth. A transgender person faces gender dysphoria when they first realize they identify as a different gender than their natal sex. When they have gender dysphoria, they are ill, but once treated their gender dysphoria can be alleviated. As a result, they are no longer sick with that particular illness, but the belief that they are still ill continues in many. Dysphoria can be compared to other illnesses because eventually, when you receive treatment, you are no longer sick. Like more common illnesses, there can be more than one treatment. "For some individuals, dysphoria can be alleviated through psychotherapy alone or combined with non-medical changes in gender expression. For many, gender dysphoria requires hormone therapy, surgery, or both." (Strandjord et al.,

This misunderstanding is a result of a lack of education and understanding by the larger community. People need to educate themselves on the difference between being mentally ill with gender dysphoria and being transgender. It is important to understand that they do go hand in hand, but they are not the same. Many people do not understand the concept of preferred pronouns and do not understand that being transgender isn't a choice. To help in this area, there needs to be access to more education and learning opportunities about the trans community. The information and supports need to be more accessible and for not only those who are transgender but also for their families and the general public. Supporting groups like GLAAD, who are there to help shape cultural change and have support for all members of the LGBTQ community, including trans people, is one example of an organization that can help people along this learning and support journey. In order for the injustice against trans people to correct itself, community support groups, learning sessions, and direct support for the trans individuals needs to increase in all communities. The people who gain understanding of the trans community, the more welcome and supported trans people will feel. As a result, I believe this decrease in injustice against the trans community will result in less mental issues and we will see a gradual change in the statistics as