For a trans person, navigating the world and getting through their day isn’t quite as easy as it is for most of us. Structural and societal violence and aggression notwithstanding, trans people have to face daily microaggressions in the form of snide or inconsiderate remarks, sometimes from people that actually mean well.
unsplash/Norbu GYACHUNG. It's understandable that we, as humans are naturally curious, and in order to learn, we must ask questions
Inconsiderate and thoughtless remarks like these can be avoided to a large extent only if we use common sense when talking to others. That said, here are some of the things that you should, under no circumstances, say to a trans person.
‘You Look Like a Drag Queen—Please Stop Trying Too Hard!
How trans people choose to dress up is none of your business. If they think that wearing a lot of makeup or styling their hair in a fancy way brings out their inner personality and suits their personal style, who are we to approve or disapprove?
Plus, the comment might be especially hurtful given the recent feud between the trans and the drag queens community. Although the two communities were once closely allied, tensions between them have been at an all-time high since RuPaul's controversial comments about trans people on his show “RuPaul’s Drag Race.”
pexels/SHVETS production. In most cases, we don’t pause to consider if our question will offend the other party
‘What Surgeries Have You Had?’
For obvious reasons, questions such as these are not only tactless but straight-up rude. While it's understandable that we, as humans, are naturally curious, and in order to learn, we must ask questions, there is a way to go about it. Asking intimate and personal questions like these to a trans person, or a person, in general, might make them feel like they are being put on the spot or pressured into giving an answer they would otherwise not be comfortable giving.
If I find You Attractive, Am I Straight?
Whether you consider yourself straight or gay, your orientation is something that is up to you to figure out. Trans people have no idea about your orientation so asking them this question could be quite insulting.
unsplash/Norbu GYACHUNG. For a trans person, navigating the world and getting through their day isn’t as easy as it is for most of us
Can You Climax in Bed?
In most cases, we don’t pause to consider if our question will offend the other party. For some, asking such a question might seem totally justified for curiosity purposes but that might not be the case for the person you’re posing the question to. And in case you’re wondering, changing one’s gender has no effect on their ability to get aroused or feel pleasure, so yes, they are doing just fine in the bedroom department.
