When meeting someone new, you might ask them if they have a nickname: a question that is completely ordinary to most people. But for some, it can be an entirely different story when it comes to transgender, non- binary or gender queer folk. Unfortunately, there are many people in the world who do not respect the preferred pronouns of trans or non-binary people, while also nicknaming themselves whatever they please. This double is indicative of the inherently transphobic and heteronormative world that we live in.
From a young age, we are all socialised into our gender roles as either male or female, which is not reflective of either non binary identities, or sex differences when it comes to the different things that girls and boys are drawn towards. Generally, there is no genetic reason why boys and girls might play with different toys or do different things -we can infer that traditionally sexually distinguished behaviours are founded on social conditioning.
Not only are these damaging to both sexes, they are also hugely damaging to those who do not identify within the typical gender binary. The reinforcement of gender roles makes it clear to young children that girls and boys are different and that lines between the sexes cannot be blurred. This means that typical gender socialisation is not only sexist, out of date and unhelpful, but it is also transphobic and harmful to those questioning their gender identity.
Written by Kate Hopwood
Artwork by Zara Masood
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