5/24/2022 0 Comments Leaving the Trans Community(Note: There is an audio version of this blog post at the bottom of the page for those who desire or need it) I want to make something clear: I no longer want to be considered a part of the trans community. I am currently planning to end my podcast and I will be changing the name of both this blog and my Tumblr blog. I will also be removing “trans” from my social media bios. I want to clarify, I am not saying that I am no transgender, I am, but I do not want to be associated with the community any longer. I’m struggling to figure out how to explain myself in all honesty. Frankly, the white trans femme community is toxic. It expects you to transition “the correct way,” it expects you to pass according to their standards, they anoint themselves the defenders of the trans community while ignoring voices more marginalized than theirs (such as black trans women), act as if they are the biggest victims of transphobia, act as if they cannot be racist, ableist, etc., make their entire identities being trans, are privileged as fuck, and frankly are so stereotypical that as soon as I know you’re a white trans woman I know exactly what your interests are (Star Trek Discovery, Star Wars, anime, My Chemical Romance, Pokémon, and a high chance at being into Dark Souls), job is (programmer, some other tech related job or work in the legal system), and political leanings are (anarchist). Frankly, I do not want “being trans” to be my sole identity. It is an important part of who I am, but I want more than to just be trans. I want to be remembered for more than being trans. But I also want to do actual work for the trans community. The white trans femme community is facing little actual persecution. For most white trans women the most oppressive thing they will ever face is J.K. Rowling writing out transphobic tweets and Dave Chapelle making transphobic jokes. If shit ever hits the fan, most white trans women I have talked to and observed are well off enough to escape to another state that is trans-friendly or even to another country. The average white trans woman will never face actual persecution. They are too well off. Most either have tech jobs, are lawyers, or transitioned later in life when they have plenty of money to live off and don’t have to worry about a thing. But, because they’re trans they believe they understand oppression despite being well off, able bodied, and white. I have seen too many posts by white trans women who claim that they can’t be racist because they’re trans and therefore “have no power.” Apparently, being trans cancels out white privilege. While I am not black, I have read articles and tweets by black trans women who have stated clearly that this is a slap in the face to them. White trans women still experience white privilege in “normal” ways but also in ways unique to being trans. You know how the trans community loves talking about how many trans people get killed? Well, last year there was a record number of confirmed killings of trans people: 57. 8 of them white, 2 of those who were white were trans men, and only two of the white trans women could have lived with any sort of comfort (the others were stated as being poor or homeless). All the rest of those who were killed were black, indigenous or Hispanic. In other words: unless you’re a white trans woman who is poor, your life is not at stake and you better never on Transgender Day of Remembrance say something like “it could have been me.” No, it couldn’t have been. Congratulations, you had some privilege stripped, but you are far more privileged than almost any other group. I’m tired of seeing white trans women praise each other for how well they pass and shun those who don’t. I’m tired of judgement for using an informed consent clinic. I’m tired of seeing these privileged trans women act as if their experiences are normal and then appropriate being oppressed. Like, congrats on having money to get surgeries, to get voice training, on being able to pass, and being able to start presenting as yourself in safe spaces. I couldn’t and can’t. I’m poor as hell, have been homeless and didn’t get to start presenting as myself until I was homeless and faced a lot of harassment for it. I don’t have the money to get enough clothing of my gender even. I don’t pass, I don’t have a voice that’s consistently passing as female. Even through all that, at least I still have the self-awareness to recognize that I am still despite all this privileged in the trans community for being white and (mostly) able-bodied. Most don’t. So, I want to focus on fighting for things that matter. Right now, there’s a crisis going on for elder trans people. Many doctors, nursing homes, etc. do not treat trans people the way they should be treated, and sometimes may even straight up refuse them their hormones or referring to them by their correct names. Elder trans people need to be taken care of, but where do they go? This is a real issue that needs to be addressed, but most queer news sites and most prominent online trans figures would rather talk about what J.K. Rowling just said. The majority of trans people getting killed are poor and persons of color, but well-off white trans women would rather pretend they’re the ones getting attacked. What we should be doing is focusing on supporting and listening to black, indigenous, Hispanic, Asian, and poor trans folk (non-binary, trans men, trans women, agender, etc.) to listen to their experiences, the hurdles they face, and follow them to help in whatever way we are able (and notice, follow them, let them say what it is they need, let them be the leaders in their community). Focus on making it easier to access hormones and making it mandatory for doctors to learn how to treat trans people. These are just some examples of things we could be focusing on that would better lives rather than sitting on Twitter whining about mean jokes by a comedian. Personally, I am planning on finding how I can get out there and help those who need the help, rather than try to fit in to the white trans femme clique. Maybe, it’s time to use my privilege to benefit those who have less or none by listening and learning from them and finding how I can support them. I’m done trying to be part of a community I could never be a part of anyway. It’s time to focus on those outside of the clique and how to better their lives.
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AuthorHi! I'm Anna, a currently transitioning transgender woman! I started my blog "Ramblings of a Trans Woman" as therapy for gender and identity issues and abuse from my parents and church. Hopefully, someone else out there can get something from this. If you want to talk, just get in contact with me, there's plenty of ways how and we'll discuss the best way to talk! Archives
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