To Be Transgender in 2023
Picture this: From an early age you have never felt comfortable in your own skin. The clothes you wore would not feel right and you do not “fit in,” with people of your assigned sex. You may experience specific wishes to be something other than your assigned sex. Something always just feels off, you just do not know what the feeling is or means. Whether that is specific gender roles or sex characteristics nothing is ever enough. This intense discomfort is what it feels like to be transgender. It is time to educate cisgender individuals on what it is like to be transgender in 2023, specifically transgender students and youth.
“Everyday I have to make decisions that could possibly put myself in danger as a trans person”
Being transgender is an umbrella term for people whose gender identity, behavior or gender expression does not match the sex they were assigned at birth. These incredibly brave people have to experience hell and back to figure out who they are, come out, find gender-affirming care and so much more. Coming out to those you love can be scary, and a lot of people do not understand it. Andrew Freeman (a junior at CCA) had a similar situation, “When I was in elementary school, probably fourth grade, I realized I was trans. I came out in sixth grade and no one knew what it was. No one believed me and just thought I was a lesbian.”
Every trans person struggles in various ways, both mentally and physically. One crucial way that they struggle is from gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a discomfort/sense of unease that trans people experience from not being born in the right body which can cause mental health problems such as generalized anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, etc.
“It’s so much more than just gender dysphoria. It is relationships with people, how you see yourself and how they see you”
Through elementary school and middle school teachers have usually broken up their students into two groups for various activities: “boys and girls.” Such gender barriers can be a hard mindset to break while dealing with confusion about your gender identity. All these boundaries can be very overwhelming for these young students.
School bathrooms can be a nightmare. In Tennessee, students must use the bathroom of their assigned sex as it can put their districts at risk of losing civil lawsuits. Oliver Haygood, a UTC freshman, had a tragic bathroom experience in high school: “When I was in 11th grade, I used the men's bathroom a while after coming out. A few months later a student complained about me to the principal and because of Tennessee law, I was not allowed to use the men's room after that. Ever Again. I was heartbroken.” Tennessee law now directs schools to have a gender-neutral or family bathroom instead.
Those who speak trans hate loudly are trying to pass anti-trans bills that will permanently affect the lives of trans people in cruel, damaging ways. They talk about trans people like we should be afraid of them, but in reality, they are not like that at all. We need to protect our fellow trans peers to make them feel safe. Here are some ways we can help and continue to be safe allies: Starting off, if you do not know someone's pronouns it’s easy, just ask! Accessing trans and nonbinary resources is a great way to educate yourself and give them a community to go to if they want one. It is also crucial to make sure that your trans peers/friends/partners know that you are there for them! Making sure they know they can come to you, listening to their needs, desires and goals can show them that you will support them no matter what.
Authors Note: Oliver Haygood is my amazing boyfriend who I am incredibly proud of and as I have witnessed his journey through his transition have learned much in the process. I am also extremely proud of my two very close friends Jude Pizzuto and Andrew Freeman. Thank you guys for speaking out on such an intense matter and sharing your personal experience with us. For my trans friends out there: Stay safe and keep being you.
Written by: Sunshine Finnell
Edited by: Sarah Singleton and Trinity Reilly
Graphic by: Maddie Nunnery
