Transgender 101 poster

Every year since 2010, March 31st has been celebrated as the International Transgender Day of Visibility. This designation is to support trans communities throughout the world, to bring attention to the accomplishments of trans people, and to fight cissexism and transphobia by spreading knowledge. Unlike the Transgender Day of Remembrance, which is recognized annually on November 20th, this is a day of EMPOWERMENT!

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Five Myths and Facts about Transgender

Myth #1: Sexual Orientation and Gender identity are the same.

trans-timelineFact: Sexual orientation describes a person’s enduring physical, romantic, and/or emotional attraction to another person (straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual). Gender identity is a location a person feels they belong on the gender continuum from man to woman.

Myth #2: All transgender people are alike.

Fact: Transgender people comprise a sprawling world of different kinds of individuals, like any other group of people that exists. It is important not to essentialize transgender people, and to treat everyone like an individual with unique life experiences, personalities, challenges, and more.

Myth #3: Being transgender means you’re gay

Fact:  Transgender people may be straight, gay, lesbian, or bisexual.

Myth #4: Transgender people “choose” to be trans.

Fact: Being transgender is not a choice. Transgender people internally identify with a gender that is different than their biological sex; transitioning is simply an act of telling the world who we really are.

Myth #5: Transgender means you transition.

Fact: Many people who identify as trans do not identify as either male or female, despite discomfort with their biological sex. Some identify as gender non-binary or gender non-conforming or even non-declarative. Most people believe hormonal therapy and gender reassignment surgery to be the end point, but transitioning can be a lifelong process that develops and adapts along the way. Not all transgender people get or even want surgery. Some can’t afford to do so. There are many reasons a transgender person may not pursue surgery, and each transition journey is unique to the individual.

Transgender Day of Visibility

Join us to learn and recognize the continuing struggle and the accomplishments of the transgender community.

To spread knowledge throughout the campuses and communities of Moraine Park, SAGA (Straight and Gay Alliance) is sponsoring an educational event on Monday, March 27 from 11:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. in room O104 at the Fond du Lac campus. Please join us!

For more information please visit the following links or contact SAGA advisors Kim Braatz, Rhonda Roehrig, or Liz Yoon.

https://www.trans.cafe/posts/2016/3/25/the-top-11-myths-about-transgender-identity 

https://thecenterforequality.org/transgender-101-myths-facts-truths/

Written by Katie Gindt