13 Damaging Myths About Transgender People Debunked

Transgender people are frequently misrepresented and victims of stereotypes and misconceptions that are often damaging. That’s why it is essential for allies to know which assumptions are wrong and what we know about trans people, who have been taking over the headlines in the past years due to many anti-trans legislation. 

It is a mental illness 

Transgender people do not have a mental illness. However, their mental health may be under constant attack due to gender dysphoria, social discrimination, and numerous challenges that, for some, occur daily. Not all trans people face severe gender dysphoria, but if untreated, it could lead to more serious issues. 

Transgender people are confused

It may be confusing to understand how a person feels they belong to a sex not assigned at birth. However, the vast majority of transgender people feel this in their bones, and despite the obstacles, stigma, and discrimination, they choose to live as their authentic selves. 

You have to have surgery to be transgender

Most transgender people do not undergo all surgeries because they are risky or costly or they don’t have the need. Some people are satisfied with hormone therapy, while others, especially transgender women, choose to have chest surgery. However, medical procedures are much rarer than they are believed to be. 

Transitioning is a simple process

There is nothing easy about transitioning. It usually starts with talk therapy and continues with gender-affirmative care. Surgery is the last and final stage, but there are also multiple obstacles, like the cost of the surgery and even legal bans, depending on your state.  

Transgender people attack in bathrooms 

Considering that members of the LGBTQ+ community, especially transgender and non-binary individuals, are over four times more likely to be victims of violent crimes, they are not going to restrooms to pick “victims.” If anything, they are more afraid of the rest of the population than an average straight person. 

It is a third gender

The idea of the third gender dates back to ancient times. However, most trans people identify as either transgender men or transgender women. Some might be gender-nonconforming, gender-queer, or non-binary, but you can be perfectly comfortable with your birth sex and be gender-queer, so it has nothing to do with being transgender.

It’s a new trend

The first transgender surgery happened over 100 years ago. Lili Elbe was a Danish transwoman, and she had four surgeries in two years. The final surgery led to cardiac arrest, and Elbe, a painter, passed away in 1931, aged 48. It is not a new trend, but ever since the LGBTQ+ movement gained a certain level of acceptance, it became possible to come out and say you are transgender. 

Pronouns are also a new craze

Using correct pronouns should not be difficult, especially since the earliest recorded “they” dates back to a 14th-century French poem called William the Werewolf. Transgender people have existed since the dawn of time, and pronouns have followed them. Ancient books have “two spirits,” a name for people who could be described as transgender. 

You can’t be born transgender 

Like with other people in the LGBTQ+, there is a misconception that a person chose to be transgender or gay, bisexual, etc. However, it is not a choice, and many believe that it is decided before the baby is even born. No one wants to choose to be discriminated against or worse.

Blaming parents

Many parents reject their children because they were born gay, lesbian, or transgender. There is a lot of discussion about whether a child is capable of knowing if they are experiencing growing pains or if they truly know they are transgender. Many spoke up and said they knew as early as 5 or 6. However, surgeries in trans minors are rare, and that’s something that a child and parents should discuss with their doctors. 

Drag queens are transgender

Drag kings and queens can be, but they are not necessarily transgender. GLAAD said they are usually gay men who enjoy dressing as women. It is a form of entertainment and pleasure for them and those around them. With transgender people, clothes are one of the least important issues. 

Transgender people will regret their decision 

This is a delicate topic, though many researchers pointed out that transitioning has a low regret rate. Some claim it is below one percent, others around seven. Regardless, it is a life-changing decision, and like any other, regret is possible. It is a process, and professionals and loved ones should closely monitor it. 

Everyone’s transgender now 

Transgender population makes up less than two percent of all people in the US, a Pew Center reported. That number is five percent for younger generations, while for those over 50, it is 0.2. Generation Z is far more likely to identify as LGBTQ+ than any other, a Gallup survey found. However, it simply means they identify outside of non-heterosexual orientations. 

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