There are recurring narratives of “comparing trans experiences to disabled experiences is transphobic.”

And as a trans disabled person, I disagree. Refusing to compare trans experiences to disabled experiences is ableist.

Trans experiences can be incredibly similar to disabled experiences. Trans masc folks who get hysterectomies become dependent on the medical institution for hormones, for the rest of their life. How is that not comparable to disabled experiences of being reliant on medical care?

Why aren’t people comparing how navigating a system of gender therapists and doctors positioned against you is similarly tedious and harmful as disabled folks being forced to navigate systems of doctors and specialists to receive adequate care?

Why isn’t anyone comparing how if disabled or trans folks choose to not engage with western medicine - due to trauma, finding alternative methods of care or transition, or simply bc they don’t want to - they’re put in a position where society refuses to accept/accommodate them?

Why are we, as trans or disabled folks, forced to jump through too many hoops in an often harmful system of medical care, one that is only accessible to those financially privileged, to gain access and acceptance in society?

Adamantly refusing to compare trans and disabled experiences doesn’t come from a lack of similarity. We both deal with the pressure to engage in medical systems to gain acceptance in society, and the experiences that come from navigating them.

Refusing to compare trans and disabled experiences can come from not wanting to medicalize the trans folks - and while the intent is valid, it’s still wrong.

Disability isn’t inherently and completely a medical experience. And reducing disability to that is, frankly, ableist.

You can’t say “being trans isn’t a disability” without sounding exactly like (white) gay people saying “being gay isn’t a mental illness” in the 1960’s. The push to remove homosexuality from the DSM, while a good cause, was absolutely saturated with ableism.

Historically, the queer community has looked at the disabled community and said “We’re not like them. Don’t group us together. Unlike disability, queerness is normal and to be celebrated” and have pushed down disabled folks in their quest for equality.

That is a history we have to acknowledge, sit with, and make sure we don’t repeat.

And as queer people, we have to critically analyze how we talk about queerness and disability to make sure we’re not repeating this history.

Being disabled is not something inherently wrong, abnormal, or inherently medical. It’s not a dirty word/experience, or something to be shied away from.

Secondly, obviously, trans disabled people exist. And to say to us, “you can’t compare your experiences with two different identities” is beyond absurd. That’s denying us our complexity, our unique experiences that arise from living at the intersection of transness and disability

It’s ok to compare my experiences as a trans person, to my experience as a disabled person.

And it’s ableist to ignore their similarities, because you think disability is inherently medical, or inherently negative.

Trans rights now (and what we’re driving for) is what I want disability rights to look like in the future.

Meaning: De-medicalization of identity while also maintaining & increasing access to medical care that is inclusive and respectful of our identities.

I forgot to talk about how trans inclusivity is technically an accessibility issue! If spaces aren’t purposefully structured to be inclusive of trans folks & misgendering is frequent, then they’re inaccessible to trans folks! And access is undeniably tied to disability!

Ever see an intake form that doesn’t allow they/them pronouns? Forces you to use your dead name? Have an identity card of some sort that only allows the use of your assigned gender at birth?

Guess what? They’re inaccessible to trans folks.

Accessibility includes trans people.