The lack of definition of transphobia
Apologies, the definition is very long...
“‘Transphobia’ is the fear or dislike of someone based on the fact they are trans. Transphobia, whether through words or action, may be targeted at people who are, or who are perceived to be, trans or trans allies.
‘Trans’ is an umbrella term to describe people whose gender is not the same as, or does not sit comfortably with, the sex they were assigned at birth. Trans people may describe themselves using one or more of a variety of terms. Trans people are not required to have undergone any medical or social transition to be considered trans. Other examples are set out in the Stonewall Glossary.
Transphobic behaviour may include (i) attempting directly or through advocacy to remove trans people’s rights, (ii) misrepresenting trans people, (iii) abuse of trans people, and (iv) systematically excluding trans people from discussions about issues that directly affect them.”
Genuine errors or misunderstandings about a trans person’s gender identity, or about the nature or effect of a policy or practice, do happen, and genuine errors or misunderstandings should not be considered intentionally transphobic. Some people may have had little or no experience or engagement with issues affecting trans people. Genuine errors and misunderstandings can still have potentially harmful effects, but the action taken to address them should take into account the lack of intention. Where accidental offence or harm has been caused the most appropriate course of action will generally be an apology, retraction or similar.
However, where an individual repeatedly does things which might be viewed as transphobic, it is unlikely this is in genuine error. This is especially true if they have been challenged by others, and they have been pointed to resources to help them learn about trans rights and transphobia. Indeed, disingenuous feigned ignorance of trans issues is a common tactic of committed opponents of trans rights. A history of transphobic actions or behaviours should be taken into account when considering whether someone is being intentionally transphobic.
Appendix of Examples
To help members understand how transphobia manifests, here are a few common examples of transphobic actions which you may come across both inside and outside the Party. This list is not exhaustive and behaviours which constitute transphobia may change over time. Members may seek further guidance on patterns of transphobic behaviour from LGBT+ Liberal Democrats.
Denying trans people’s gender identity or refusing to accept it
For example:
“deadnaming” – calling someone by their birth name after they have changed their name. In the early phases of transition, or if someone is not aware of the transition or is not well informed about transition, accidental mistakes may be made as people get used to new names. Doing it deliberately, persistently and/or maliciously is a means of humiliation and degradation.
“misgendering” – referring to someone using a word, especially a pronoun or a form of address, which does not correctly reflect the gender with which they identify. As with deadnaming, accidental mistakes may be made as people get used to new pronouns or forms of address but doing it deliberately, persistently and/or maliciously is a means of humiliation and degradation.
Mockery or dismissal of new names and pronouns and the identity they reflect. This often takes the form of inappropriate comparisons (‘people will be defining themselves as Muppets and Wombles next’), suggesting trans people do not mean what they say (for example by describing them as ‘confused’ or ‘just trying to be controversial’), or suggesting trans identities are a fad, through comments such as ‘I’m too old to understand all this’.
Using phrases or language to describe trans people which are designed to suggest that trans people are a separate category of person from the gender they identify as or that their gender identity is not valid. Current examples include referring to a trans woman or non-binary person as a “biological man” or a trans man or non-binary person as a “biological woman”, which eradicates the trans person’s gender identity in favour of their biology at birth.
Misrepresenting and excluding trans people
For example:
Accusing trans people, as a group, of being responsible for real or imagined wrongdoing committed by a single trans person or even non-trans people.
Positioning trans people as a threat to individual rights or safety or as a threat to society as a whole, for example by equating trans people with paedophiles, rapists, sex offenders or grooming gangs.
Making mendacious, dehumanising, demonising, or stereotypical allegations about trans people or their cisgender allies. This includes spreading the idea of a “trans conspiracy” which asserts undue influence over media or government or claiming that cisgender allies support trans rights initiatives out of fear or bribery rather than a genuine belief that trans rights are human rights.
Applying double standards by requiring of trans people behaviours that are not expected or demanded of any other groups in society – for example criticising both trans women who do not conform to female stereotypes for not being feminine enough and trans women who do conform for perpetuating sexism.
Knowingly promoting policies and practices that actively discriminate against trans people
For example:
Requiring trans people to be separate from society, using segregated facilities, or denying them access to facilities which would be required in order for them to fully participate in public life.
Calling for, aiding, or justifying the killing or physical or mental harming of trans people because of their gender identity.
Knowingly promoting the idea that gender dysphoria is a form of, or is caused by, mental illness, which directly contradicts NHS guidance (available here/).
Advocating the withdrawal or defunding of access to transition-related medical treatment for trans people or advocating or facilitating any kind of therapy that tries to change a person’s gender identity.
www.libdemvoice.org/liberal-democrats-adopt-definition-of-transphobia-65868.html
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