Microaggressions are everyday verbal, nonverbal, and environmental slights, snubs, or insults, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative messages to target persons based solely upon their marginalized group membership. They can occur around race, gender identity, age, ability status, religion, culture, appearance, nationality, socioeconomic class, and more. Microaggressions can be experienced in any setting where people interact, including schools, workplaces, homes, social groups, public spaces, and online. While they may seem small and harmless to the perpetrator, microaggressions have serious consequences for those who experience them regularly.
Gender Identity Microaggressions
Gender identity microaggressions include statements, actions, and behaviors that imply questioning, devaluing, or disrespecting someone's gender identity. These can be as subtle as misgendering (addressing someone using a wrong name, gender pronoun, or title), dismissing the importance of gender pronouns, assuming someone's gender based on their appearance, using stereotypical language, making jokes at someone's expense based on their gender, or refusing to use someone's preferred pronouns.
Misgendering
Misgendering is one of the most common microaggressions related to gender identity. It involves addressing someone using a word or pronoun that does not correctly reflect their gender identity. This can happen when someone uses a name, pronoun, or title that does not match what the person prefers. For example: "You look like a girl/boy," "Your voice sounds masculine/feminine," "What are you wearing?" "Why do you want to be a boy/girl?" "I thought you were ___." "Are you sure you don't really identify as ____?"
Dismissing Pronouns
Dismissing someone's need to be addressed by specific pronouns is another form of gender identity microaggression. Some people may ask why others insist on using specific pronouns, saying they are too sensitive or just trying to make an issue out of nothing. They may also use incorrect pronouns intentionally, mocking them, or even refusing to use them altogether.
Appearance-Based Assumptions
Another type of gender identity microaggression is making assumptions about someone's gender based solely on their appearance.
Telling someone that they are misgendered because of how they dress or act, assuming someone is transgender if they present in a certain way, or asking intrusive questions about genitalia. These types of statements imply that someone's gender cannot exist outside of societal norms and expectations.
Stereotypical Language
Using stereotypes related to someone's gender identity can also be hurtful. Statements such as "All men/women are _____" or "Only real women/men ______" suggest that there is one right way to express gender and anyone who does not fit this mold is wrong. These comments assume everyone fits into a binary system of male and female, ignoring nonbinary identities.
Jokes at Expense
Making jokes at someone else's expense due to their gender identity can also be considered a microaggression. This includes making jokes about someone's appearance, mannerisms, or behavior, as well as sharing memes or other media that reinforce harmful gender stereotypes. It implies that these characteristics are negative or lesser than others.
Microaggressions related to gender identity can be subtle but can have significant consequences for those who experience them regularly. They undermine someone's sense of self-worth and belonging, reinforce societal expectations around gender, and contribute to the oppression of marginalized groups. By recognizing and addressing these microaggressions, we can create more inclusive environments where all people feel seen and valued.
What are microaggressions related to gender identity?
Microaggressions related to gender identity can include the assumption of a person's gender based on their appearance, name, voice, clothing, behavior, or any other characteristic that is not directly related to gender identity. This can lead to people assuming someone's gender incorrectly or misgendering them, which can be hurtful and invalidating.