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This will be a long post. As I am writing this, I am in pain as I witness a number of my LGBTQIA+ siblings invalidating the womanhood of our trans sisters who couldn’t transition thus, have remained masculine expressing.
This post is for them. Tumatayo ako para sa kanila.
This post is for them. Tumatayo ako para sa kanila.
May this post also educate you, who are reading this, about trans personhood.
Last week, when I visited Pasig City’s Treatment Hub for HIV-AIDS, one of its leaders, Kael Mata, asked me for help.
Last week, when I visited Pasig City’s Treatment Hub for HIV-AIDS, one of its leaders, Kael Mata, asked me for help.
Kael, whose pronouns are they/them and wants to be addressed as Mx (a gender-neutral title), said that they have been bashed for coming out on Tiktok as a transgender woman but has remained masculine expressing.
Hence, they asked me to do a Tiktok video with them, explaining why they are still a woman despite their expression — why Gender Identity and Expression are independent of each other.
To reiterate, GENDER IDENTITY is the way a person sees himself/herself/themselves. PAANO KO NAKIKITA ANG AKING SARILI? We, transgender people, see ourselves differently from our sex assigned at birth.
GENDER EXPRESSION, on the other hand, is the presentation of one’s self. PAANO KO GUSTONG IPAKITA ANG SARILI KO?
It could be masculine, feminine, or androgynous/non-conforming. A straight man can wear make up or be in a skirt. A straight woman can be bald.
It could be masculine, feminine, or androgynous/non-conforming. A straight man can wear make up or be in a skirt. A straight woman can be bald.
In the same manner, a trans woman can choose to be non-conforming or not feminine.
Sadly, that video draw a number of flak, especially from people within the community. Some argued, “Kaya nga transgender or trans, kasi kailangan mag-transition.”
AND THIS IS A MISCONCEPTION!
Sadly, that video draw a number of flak, especially from people within the community. Some argued, “Kaya nga transgender or trans, kasi kailangan mag-transition.”
AND THIS IS A MISCONCEPTION!
First, the prefix “trans” doesn’t mean transition. Trans is a prefix that means “beyond”. Therefore, transgender people are BEYOND THE BINARY CONCEPT OF GENDER, which we have been accustomed to.
Hence, the being of a transgender happens at the moment he/she/they recognize/s that his/her/their gender identity is not congruent with his/her/their sex at birth.
Furthermore, while a number of transgender people undergo TRANSITION (the process of reclaiming and being one’s gender identity), A TRANSGENDER PERSON IS NOT REQUIRED TO GO THROUGH MEDICAL/SURGICAL TRANSITION TO CALL HIMSELF, HERSELF, THEMSELVES TRANSGENDER.
ABOVE ALL, TRANSITIONING IS A PRIVILEGE. THERE ARE TRANS PEOPLE WHO COULDN’T TRANSITION BECAUSE OF FINANCIAL, HEALTH, AND SOCIAL FACTORS.
1. IT IS EXPENSIVE.
Not every transgender has the capacity to afford it. Here’s a rough estimate for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy:
Consultation with an Endocrinologist - PhP 700 per consultation
Medical Tests (extensive/pre or early stages of transition) - PhP 24,000
Not every transgender has the capacity to afford it. Here’s a rough estimate for Gender Affirming Hormone Therapy:
Consultation with an Endocrinologist - PhP 700 per consultation
Medical Tests (extensive/pre or early stages of transition) - PhP 24,000
Meds good for 3 months (Estrogen, Testosterone Blocker, Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Biotin) - PhP 7000
Hence, some have endangered their health, and opted to self-medicate and buy meds from the black market.
Hence, some have endangered their health, and opted to self-medicate and buy meds from the black market.
2. THERE MAY BE HEALTH RISKS.
Some transgender people have serious health conditions which could be greatly triggered if they go through Hormone Therapy and/or Surgeries. Moreover, they would opt to spend their finances in addressing their current health condition.
Some transgender people have serious health conditions which could be greatly triggered if they go through Hormone Therapy and/or Surgeries. Moreover, they would opt to spend their finances in addressing their current health condition.
And that is the best and most practical choice. Aanhin ang ganda kung patay ka na!
3. THEY FEAR DISCRIMINATION.
A major hindrance to transitioning is the fear of getting disowned by their families and of losing job opportunities.
3. THEY FEAR DISCRIMINATION.
A major hindrance to transitioning is the fear of getting disowned by their families and of losing job opportunities.
4. SOCIAL PRESSURE
Some transgender people are afraid of other people’s judgment; that they won’t “look” woman or man enough when they transition. “Baka pagtawanan ako. Baka pangit akong babae o lalaki!”
Some transgender people are afraid of other people’s judgment; that they won’t “look” woman or man enough when they transition. “Baka pagtawanan ako. Baka pangit akong babae o lalaki!”
And this is what saddens me. The pressure to fit in the standards of beauty has hindered them from fully owning themselves, because we have been equating transitioning with just merely LOOKING LIKE THAN LIVING AND BEING A MAN OR WOMAN.
Kael is one trans woman who couldn’t afford to transition and it’s not their fault that they couldn’t. Had they had the finances, had no health risks, and had a strong family/social support, they would have.
But because of these factors, Kael simply found comfort in being a masculine expressing trans woman.
Just like Kael, there are many trans people who don’t have this privilege to transition. And it’s not their fault. THEY DON’T DESERVE TO BE JUDGED AND EXCLUDED!
Just like Kael, there are many trans people who don’t have this privilege to transition. And it’s not their fault. THEY DON’T DESERVE TO BE JUDGED AND EXCLUDED!
No matter how they choose to express themselves because of their circumstances, THAT DOESN’T MAKE THEM LESS OF A TRANS PERSON.
