The Social Problem of Misogyny Against Transgender Women

The topic of transgender rights is more talked about than ever. With US President Trump’s ‘transgender military ban’ and the ‘transgender bathroom bill’ more and more people are becoming aware of transgender people – people whose sense of personal identity and gender doesn’t correspond with their birth sex – as a part of society. However, discrimination and violence toward transgender individuals seize to exist. While both trans men and trans women are victims of transphobic behaviour, there’s a wealth of evidence and research that support the fact that transgender women are more likely to experience transphobic discrimination and violence than transgender men. Transmisogyny, the negative attitudes, and discrimination directed toward trans women and trans and gender non-conforming people on the feminine end of the gender spectrum, not only deteriorates the quality of life of transfeminine individuals but it costs transgender women their lives. As this is now a global issue, this essay aims to identify the social problem that is tranmisogyny, explain the reasons behind this issue in sociological aspects and examine the way to the solution and progress through media representation.

In today’s world where cisnormativity – the commonplace normative assumption that sex and gender should and do equate with one another and that trans people are thereby fundamentally atypical, abnormal and unnatural – is a quite common ideal; murder, suicide, sexual assault and many other violent acts are harsh realities for transgender women and the real life reflection of the social problem that is transmisogyny. What all of this transmisogynistic behaviour have in common is that they aim at harming the individual in physical or mental aspects, targeting them for the mere reason that is their non-traditional identity. This elucidates the extend of discomfort or rather prejudice and hate the people who engage in these kinds of behaviour possess as well as how dangerous and even fatal this prejudice can be.

Murder/Homicide is one of the dangers threatening the quality of life of transgender women. There are several studies and reports made on this particular issue that show the exceptionally high murder rates of those who do not conform to the cisgender norm. For example, a report by the National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs states that in 2017, when the numbers of murders reached its highest ever, 46% of all anti-LGBTQ homicide victims were transgender women and trasnfeminine people (2018). Which means, out of the recorded 52 fatal hate crimes towards LGBTQ+ individuals, 24 of them were transmisogynistic murders. The murder rates of transgender women show no signs of slowing down however, as in 2018 advocates tracked 26 deaths of transgender people in the US due to fatal violence while in 2019 the numbers have already reached 2.

Another serious issue in the transgender community is suicide, especially for the trans youth. Constantly surrounded by prejudice and hate, it is no surprise that transgender women are susceptible to developing mental health disorders. As a field study conducted by the Turkish non-profit organisation Lambdaistanbul suggests, out of the 116 transgender women participants 38,8% stated they had had suicidal thoughts and 32,8% stated they had attempted suicide (2010). This gives a clearer understanding of the mental state of these transgender individuals and how the transphobic/transmisogynistic discrimination affects their mental health negatively. Another study states attempted suicide rates amongst transgender youth is approximately 32%. These and lots of similar other findings clarify the fact that transgender individuals and especially transgender youth are overwhelmed, depressed and anxious due to the non-supportive environment of today’s society. Moreover, a fact that is worth to considering is that while a number of these events stay as attempts, some of these trans individuals lose their lives.

After examining a sample of 402 cases, Lombardi et al. found that the percentage of rape or attempted rape for both trans women and trans men were approximately 21% for each (2002). Whether it is to harm the individual or it is about the fetishizing of transgender bodies, rape/sexual assault is another harsh reality for trans women. The reason behind the high rape rates might be due to the fact transgender individuals are more likely to be noticed than any other LGBTQ+ minority and therefore are targeted more. Either way, it is safe to say that a significant number of transgender individuals are living with the aftermath of trauma and the fear of possible rape victimisation.

An important question to ask is why do these happen to transgender women and why are they targeted. Lots of resources suggest this prejudice comes from lack of education and misunderstanding. While they play a huge role in the violence and discrimination towards transgender women, there are also important sociological aspects to the issue such as traditional gender roles that are a part of certain cultures, religious fundamentalism, the ideologies of certain political wings as well as internalised sexism. In conclusion, the discomfort with the violation of supposed gender identity norms caused by certain personal values has significant correlations with transphobia.

What is really important to consider is the sexist substructure of transmisogynistic behaviour. Kacere suggests this sexist substructure as well as transmisogyny relies on an understanding of viewing feminine qualities as less than those qualities associated with ‘maleness’ and therefore as deserving of hatred, mockery and violence (2014). Hence, the discrimination and violence against transgender women is not only a mere result of prejudice, rather, transgender women are seen as they purposefully reject their own “superior male identity” which in many cases trigger the masculinity of others. In this case transmisogyny is less about a hatred towards the transgender identity and more about the hatred of the feminine.

Considering the incredibly high murder rates, attempted suicides and the high risk of sexual assault towards transgender women, it is hard to identify an effective solution to the problem. However, in these past years, media representation definitely presented itself as a gateway to progress. Whether it is offline or online, media representation is undoubtedly an important tool that shapes people’s mind-set. With transgender people increasingly represented in the media, both transgender and cisgender (non-transgender) individuals gain general knowledge about transgender individuals as well as knowledge about what life is like from their perspective. Furthermore, this media representation helps normalise the transgender identities.

Since the 1970’s transgender representation in the traditional, offline media has increased with a substantial growth. With multiple movies made on the subject such as Paris is Burning (1990), Ma vie en Rose (1997) and Transamerica (2005), transgender women found themselves on the big screen. A number of television series featured trans characters since then and Laura Gene Grace from the punk rock band Against Me! and the American composer Wendy Carlos became role models for the trans women of the music industry. Thus, more and more transgender women saw themselves in pop culture and as a part of the society. This not only educated the masses on the issue but it also helped transgender people out of isolation.

Through the arrival of online media into the pop culture, the representation for transgender individuals saw a significant increase and transgender youth found a platform where they can raise their voices. Since majority of the world’s population have access to the Internet, ordinary trans people can now use their own voice to tell their own stories using YouTube and other similar platforms. With that, transgender participants were able to access information and role models that remained largely inaccessible in their offline lives. Most transgender participants were also able to develop a community of transgender people online, who were able to provide relevant support, resources, medical information, etc.

In conclusion, there’s no denying the fact that as a result of lack of education, prejudice, misunderstanding; certain cultural, religious and political views in addition to sexism transgender women are victims of murder, suicide, harassment, discrimination as well as assault. And while through offline and online media representation in addition to activist LGBTQIA+ rights movements ever since the Stonewall Riots of 1969 progress is being made, transmisogyny still remains to be a serious social issue in today’s society. It is now time for less research on murder rates, suicide statistics and investigation on the numbers of sexual assault of trans women and more education, more action to be able to raise awareness and to accept transgender people as a part of human diversity and of society.

References:

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