The act of misgendering someone can have severe repercussions for their mental health and wellbeing. Misgendering refers to intentionally or unintentionally referring to an individual using incorrect gender-related language or pronouns that do not correspond with their gender identity. This practice can cause confusion, frustration, humiliation, and even violence towards individuals who are already dealing with the challenges of existing within a society that does not recognize or respect their true gender identities.
When someone is referred to incorrectly in terms of their gender identity, it can lead to feelings of invalidation and erasure, which can result in low self-esteem and diminished sense of worth.
Being misgendered repeatedly can lead to social isolation, particularly if the person feels they cannot be open about their true identity due to fear of discrimination or rejection from others.
Misgendering can also result in psychological trauma that manifests as depression, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Misgendering can create physical harm to those who experience it. This may take the form of verbal abuse, physical violence, or exclusion from spaces where one would expect support and understanding. In extreme cases, this could even lead to suicide attempts among transgender people who feel like there is no place for them in the world.
Misgendering can negatively affect interpersonal relationships between those who identify outside the binary. Misgendering can damage trust, communication, intimacy, and even romantic and sexual connections, resulting in emotional hurt and broken bonds.
Some cisgender partners might unintentionally use incorrect pronouns when referring to their transgender partner, causing resentment and distance over time.
Misgendering reinforces societal norms that limit and stigmatize those who do not conform to traditional gender roles and expectations. By failing to recognize nonbinary identities, we perpetuate a culture that sees individuals' worth based on their ability to fit into rigid boxes rather than celebrating individuality and diversity.
Misgendering has devastating consequences for mental health. It undermines self-esteem, creates social isolation, causes physical harm, harms interpersonal relationships, and upholds oppressive systems. As such, everyone should take steps to ensure they are using respectful language that affirms all genders.
What is the impact of misgendering on mental health?
The act of misgendering someone has significant implications for their overall mental wellbeing. Research has shown that it can lead to feelings of humiliation, discomfort, rejection, depression, anxiety, and even self-harm among individuals who experience it. This effect is particularly evident among transgender and gender nonconforming people, as they often face discrimination and prejudice due to their perceived gender identity.