What Is Transphobia?

Transphobia refers to fear and/or hatred of transgender people and other gender-diverse people. Transphobia can take many forms in the same way as other types of bigotry and oppression.

In addition to affecting individuals, transphobia can be encoded into law with bathroom bills, sports bans, and other forms of legislation designed to oppress transgender people. It also exposes transgender people—particularly transgender women of color—to a high risk of violence.

This article explains what transphobia is and the different forms it can take. It also describes the impact of transphobia on individuals and society, and what you can do to combat discrimination against transgender people.

Defining Transphobia

Transphobia is strictly defined as a "fear of transgender people." But many people disapprove of the term because "phobia" suggests a relevant psychological response to something one has no control over.

Instead, many prefer the term transmisia which is broadly defined as an aversion, hatred, or mistrust of people that are transgender. It also describes an insistence to maintain a strict gender binary (male and female, men and women, masculine and feminine).

Where transphobia suggests fear and a defensive posture, transmisia suggests hate and an offensive posture. Both describe attitudes, behaviors, beliefs, or policies that:

• Harm or stigmatize trans, gender-diverse, or gender-nonconforming people
• Deny the validity of trans identities and see them as "less human"
• Treat trans people as less worthy of respect, care, and the rights afforded other people
  

Transphobia and transmisia are not consistent across cultures and time. A community's acceptance of gender-diverse people can vary and is highly dependent on local culture and group identity.

Transgender people, for example, are frequently mentioned in Indian myths and literature from the Ramayana to Mahabharata. Other cultures are more inherently hostile, such as Brazil, Mexico, and the United States where one out of every three murders of transgender people take place.

Examples of Transphobia

Transphobia and transmisia can take many forms, affecting people on an individual basis or as a group. These attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors may be overt or subtle.

On an individual basis, transphobia can be expressed in the following ways:

• Using derogatory language or slurs to or about trans people, including "freak," "weird," or "mentally ill"
• Making "jokes" at the expense of trans people or ones that perpetuate negative stereotypes
• Knowingly ignoring a person's chosen pronouns (referred to as misgendering)
• Using a person's "dead name" (the name they used before gender reassignment) rather than their affirmed name
• Spreading unsubstantiated claims about the "reassignment regret" and other derogatory beliefs
• Objectifying and insulting a trans person by saying that they don't "look trans" or that "you can't tell they're trans"
• Suggesting that trans people are given "special privileges" by being allowed to participate in sports
  
• Suggesting that trans people are "forcing their lifestyle on others" by being open about themselves
• Thinking that being openly trans means you can ask them about their bodies or sexuality
• Suggesting that trans peoples are harmful to children and may influence a child's behaviors
• Suggesting that a parent is "irresponsible" for supporting their trans child
• Disrespecting a young person by suggesting that their desire to transition is a "phase"
• Outing a trans person
• Being physically or emotionally abusive or in any way harming a trans person based on their gender identity

There is also systemic transphobia in the same way as there is systemic racism. This is arguably more insidious as it does not require an overt dislike of transgender people.

From a societal standpoint, systemic transphobia can include:

• Laws and legislation barring trans children from bathrooms and locker rooms
• Laws and legislation barring trans children from participating in sports
• Laws banning LGBT awareness or the teaching of LGBT history in schools
• Legislation that could make it a felony to provide gender-affirming care to minors
• Disqualifying or limiting trans people from serving in the military
• Lacking transgender-specific sensitivity training in healthcare and social services
• Restricting access to healthcare or voting by requiring a person's "dead name" or referring to a person by their "dead name"
  

Impact of Transphobia

In 2015, more than 27,000 transgender people in the United States completed a survey on their experiences with discrimination across all facets of their lives. The results revealed that transgender people are frequent targets of transphobia from childhood through old age.

According to the survey, among those who had come out as transgender before graduating high school:

• 50% had been verbally attacked.
• 25% had been physically attacked.
• 13% percent had been sexually assaulted.
• 17% had to leave or change schools because the mistreatment was so severe.

During adulthood, the consequences are no less extreme. According to the survey, employed trans adults report the following workplace issues within the past year:

• 30% reported being fired, denied a promotion, or experiencing mistreatment.
• 50% had been verbally harassed because of their gender.
• 9% had been physically assaulted.
• 10% had been sexually assaulted.

Transphobia can also show up in a person's daily life and may even be perpetuated by government agencies that they had turned to for help.

According to the study:

• 47% of trans adults reported a history of sexual assault over the course of their lifetime.
• 33% experienced mistreatment in healthcare, ranging from the refusal of service to verbal, physical, or sexual abuse.
• 70% who had to stay in a homeless shelter reported mistreatment because of their gender identity.
• 58% of homeless trans people experience mistreatment from police officers, ranging from intentional misgendering to sexual assault.

Impact on Health

Transphobia can have significant effects on an individual's mental and physical health. These effects can be both direct and indirect. One of the ways in which transphobia affects health is through minority stress.

Minority stress refers to the difficulty of existing in a society that considers you different, less, or dangerous because you are not part of the majority culture. Transgender minority stress is compounded for transgender and gender-diverse people of color, who may also experience racism in addition to transphobia.

Minority stress is thought to explain much of the excess mental health burden experienced by transgender and gender-diverse individuals. The increased risk of depression, anxiety, substance use, and even suicide is not a reflection of any problem with being transgender. Instead, it reflects the difficulty of existing in a world that is often openly hostile and transphobic.

In addition to the direct effects of transphobia on health, transphobia can also affect access to medical care. The National Transgender Discrimination Survey found that almost a quarter of respondents hadn't visited a doctor because they were afraid they would be mistreated.

What You Can Do

Transphobia often starts with ignorance. If someone has never met a transgender person—or misunderstands what it means to be transgender—they can feel uncomfortable. That discomfort can turn into hostility, particularly when those feelings are reinforced by the media, political leaders, or peers.

Evidence suggests that knowledge is one of the best ways to fight against transphobia. People who know more about transgender identities are less likely to hold transphobic beliefs.

People who know someone who is lesbian, gay, or bisexual are also less likely to be transphobic. Because LGBT people are so often grouped in discussions, there may be some feelings of positivity by association.

If faced with an incident of transphobia, it is important to speak up—but to do so appropriately. Make the person aware of their behavior, ideally in a way that encourages them to change rather than dig in their heels. Avoid getting into a heated argument as this may only put the trans person at greater risk of harm.

If needed, walk away. Then stay with the victim until they are in a safe place. Get additional help, including police assistance, if needed.

If a friend or loved one experiences transphobia, talk to them about how they would like you to intervene. For example, if their parent repeatedly misgenders them, your friend may want you to use their affirmed name and pronouns without correcting their parents.

Remember that the way you respond isn't about you or your preferences. It's about respecting your friend's or loved one's needs and desires.

Transgender Resources

There are resources available for transgender people faced with harassment, discrimination, emotional crisis, family issues, or financial problems, including:

• The Trevor Project at 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386) for transgender people in crisis
• Trans Lifeline at 877-565-8860 for support or information, or when in crisis
• Transgender Legal Defense and Education Fund (TLDEF) for legal advice and resources
• TransFamilies at 855-443-6337 for support of trans youth, families, and educators
• TransTech Social Enterprises for advice and assistance with employment and skills training
• Trans Lifeline Microgrants for monthly grants to assist with legal name changes
• The Jim Collins Foundation for grants to aid with gender-affirming surgery

Summary

Transphobia is fear or hatred of transgender people and other gender-diverse people. Also known as transmisia, it can take many forms, including individual slurs, insults, and attacks or institutional discriminations that limit or bar certain rights, liberties, and opportunities afforded to other groups.

Half of all transgender people have experienced transphobia in one form or another, including physical and verbal attacks, sexual assaults, and discrimination in the workplace or by healthcare workers or the police. Transphobia also negatively affects a trans person's mental, emotional, and physical health.