Thread by @TransSamSurrey

It’s gonna be a long thread so, get comfortable.
Whilst my life is fairly innocuous, I still face a lot of discrimination. It’s driven by a number of factors but, mostly ignorance and a lack of understanding. So, let’s clear a few things up. /1

Q: What are Trans People?
A: We’re normal people who just happen to not identify with some of the characteristics we were born with. These can be physical or emotional issues and some trans people take medical or social steps to resolve their conflicts. /2

Q: So they’re confused?
A: No. I had a long period of my life where I couldn’t understand a lot of the conflict I had in myself. This can look like confusion but, I always knew who I was. It was just working out how to convey that to everyone else. /3

Q: So how did you know you were trans?
A: To be clear, I only say I’m trans for your benefit. I am in fact female. For a long time I thought I was just very effeminate but, as I learned to understand my dysphoria, I realised it wasn’t about expression. It’s just who I am. /4

Q: So you need dysphoria to be trans?
A: No. This is merely a clinical term to describe some of the issues trans people can have. Not all trans people have dysphoria. Most do to a degree but, not all. /5

Q: Isn’t it just hating your body?
A: No. Please don’t confuse body confidence or dysmorphia with gender dysphoria. I have body confidence issues but, they are not because of dysphoria. In my case, they are largely down to sociological expectations. /6

Q: Can’t you just dress how you want?
A: Yes. However, clothes & image are only a part of ones outward presentation of their identity. My dysphoria is not about being unable to wear what I want. Expression is not the same as identity. /7

Q: What about trans kids?
A: What about them? They are perfectly valid as anyone else. Some kids might not fully understand their identity but, there are so many safeguards in place to prevent any treatment being given without a solid diagnosis and understanding. /8

Q: I’ve read kids can be given hormones?
A: You’ve read fabrications. The process for anyone (especially kids) to get any treatment is long & very restrictive. Wait times from NHS referral are over a year in almost all cases. That’s before any assessment can be started... /9

Q: Why is this so popular now?
A: Popular? I’ve never met a trans person who thought they wanted to be trans. It’s an insanely difficult thing to deal with. The reason you see more visibility is because of the way media reporting has changed. Not the amount of trans people. /10

Q: It wasn’t like this 10yrs ago!
A: 10 years ago it was a terrifying situation to find yourself in. It still can be but, with the support now in place, people are less frightened to admit to the world who they are. Trans people have been around forever. You just didn’t know. /11

Q: But won’t they be a threat?
A: No. I’m a wife, mother, sister & daughter. I’m not a threat to anyone. If anything, it’s trans people that are risk of violence & discrimination in society. We’re not perverse predators. We’re just people trying to get on with a quiet life. /12

Q: Aren’t men getting into women’s loos?
A: No. There have been no reported cases of a man, trying to claim trans status, to orchestrate an assault in any women’s facility. None! In fact, it’s the trans women who regularly get assaulted...
/13

Q: Ok, so, can’t we cure it?
A: Being trans isn’t a medical condition. I’m not sick. Can you be cured of being tall? No, it’s just a part of who you are. Medical treatment can help ease some ‘symptoms’ of dysphoria but, it’s not about curing trans people out of existence. /14

Q: So you just say your a woman and that’s that?
A: No. I have been required to have multiple physical & psychological assessments, provide documented evidence & demonstrate a long term and persistent commitment to my transition and I’m still not legally recognised as female. /15

Q: But you expect us to call you she?
A: Yes I do. It’s not about legal status, it’s about respecting who we are. Have you ever asked to see anyone’s birth certificate before you decided what to call them? Of course you haven’t. It’s not relevant. /16

Q: Why should I have to like it?
A: You don’t. You should just accept that trans people exist and we are just as valid as anyone else. It’s not about you liking it, it’s about respect. So be respectful or just be quiet. /17

These are all real questions I have been asked in the last two weeks! I’m not posting out of anger, just to give some insight into the level of ignorance out there. A lot of the population has never knowingly met a trans person so, they only ‘know’ what they see in the press. /18

I try very hard to be an open book. Just ask me. Education is how we help people understand something they’re not familiar with. I’m always happy to help people understand but, what it comes down to is, trans people exist, they are just like everyone else. /19

We’re not a threat. We’re not ‘recruiting.’ There is no agenda other than awareness of the risks we still face in this day & age. We just want to get on with our lives, without being threatened, attacked & insulted. Basic respect is not a lot to expect from life is it...
/end