Transgender individuals are often subject to a range of systemic forms of violence that reflect broader cultural anxieties surrounding gender norms and social hierarchies. One way in which this manifests is through the policing of gender expression and identity, where individuals who do not conform to traditional binary categories of masculinity and femininity are subject to discrimination, harassment, and even physical violence. This form of violence is rooted in fear and prejudice about transgender people's ability to disrupt societal norms and challenge the status quo.
Transphobia can take the form of denial of basic human rights such as access to employment, housing, healthcare, education, and legal recognition, which can have devastating consequences for transgender people's wellbeing.
In addition to these more direct forms of violence, there are also more subtle ways in which transgender individuals face oppression, such as microaggressions and misgendering. These actions may seem small or trivial, but they add up to create an atmosphere of hostility and exclusion that makes it difficult for transgender people to feel safe and secure in their everyday lives.
Cisnormativity, or the assumption that everyone is cisgender (identifies with their assigned sex at birth), plays a role in perpetuating this violence by normalizing cisgender identities and experiences while devaluing those who do not fit into this category.
To effectively mitigate this violence, strategies must address both individual-level and structural factors. On an individual level, allyship and advocacy can be crucial in creating safe spaces for transgender people to express themselves without fear of retribution. This can include supporting organizations working towards transgender justice, educating oneself on transgender issues, and speaking out against transphobic attitudes when one sees them. At a systemic level, policymakers need to enact policies that protect transgender individuals from discrimination and promote greater acceptance of diverse gender expressions. This includes laws guaranteeing non-discrimination in employment, housing, and public accommodations, as well as providing resources for transgender people to access necessary medical care, including hormone therapy and gender affirmation surgeries.
Education around the complexity and diversity of gender identity can help challenge harmful stereotypes and prejudices and create a more inclusive society where all genders are valued equally.