Thread by @WitchsHex

[Thread]
Let's briefly talk about transphobia in the writing of fantastical worlds!

As a note, a lot of what I say here will apply to other forms of bigotry, but I'm going to focus on transphobia here

First, don't say your world has no transphobia if you're not critical of your own internalized prejudice

I'm going to give an example for this, but I won't mention the work by name.

Let's talk about a podcast where a man falls through a portal behind a Burger King into the magical, fantastical land of Foon.

In one episode, one character, in response to an email, declares that transphobia doesn't exist on Foon.

Claims like this are fine, if you can actually back them up.

Since that episode, we've had multiple statements that genitals=gender, men who dress like women to trick straight men into sex

And an entire episode that makes fun of a guest character for having non-binary pronouns

So, if you're a cis writer, how do you avoid this? You need to be critical of your internalized transphobia.

Think before you say something. Be aware of trans issues before you make comments about gender.

Can't do this? Don't say your world is transphobia-free. You'll only draw attention to it when you do slip up.

Next, please actually have trans characters in your works but know what you're doing.

Don't focus on the character's genitals. No one needs to know this information, and it reduces us to our genitals.

Don't focus on the character's transition. You don't have good context for this. Leave this topic to trans writers.

Don't just have characters offer their deadnames for no reason, Mass Effect.

Don't know what you're doing? Ask actual trans people. Not one person, people.

Some say what you're doing is okay and some don't? Don't do it. It's a controversial issue in community and not your place to touch it.

Want to have transphobia as an evil in your world as well? Great! But please don't try to do that without an actual consultant.

Remember that non-binary people exist and don't forget to include them.

Finally, you can have trans representation without a focus on "the trans experience".

Don't have the focus of your work be a trans character's transition. It's not your place to tell that story.

We are not your inspiration porn.

The point of this thread isn't to shame anyone whose made these mistakes in the past; it's to hopefully help be better on your future works

Transphobia is massively ingrained into our society, and not having that carry over into your work isn't easy.

It's something you actively have to try for, but it's really important you put in that effort