Mermaids have engaged the warp drive full reverse thrusters.
mermaidsuk.org.uk/news/do-you-still-use-the-phrase-born-in-the-wrong-body/
Posted 25/9/20
Do you use the phrase: ‘Born in the wrong body’?
“Language matters. In a world filled with social media posts, forums, blogs and online articles; all of them demanding answers to be picked apart, it’s difficult sometimes to find the right words. That would be the case if we were talking about any subject, but when the discussion is around something so personal and individual as gender identity… it’s tough.
One of the most exciting things about our work over the past 25 years has been bearing witness to young people changing and moulding the way they express who they are. We’ve seen certain words and phrases disappear while some other words have moved back into everyday language.
One particular phrase, which has been used for a long time by people, is ‘I was born in the wrong body’.
We recently posted that ‘no child is born in the wrong body’, which is our broad position as a charity. Why? Because we believe that transgender people shouldn’t be expected or encouraged to reject their entire amazing, intelligent, beautiful, creative bodies, simply because of gender incongruity. Still, we also know some people – including some of our amazing patrons – do use that phrase to express who they are. It is your right to use whatever words you choose to describe yourself. As a charity representing lots of different people, however, we have to make sure our language is as inclusive as possible, especially for people who might be struggling with their gender.
Of course, the phrase is one we’ve used ourselves in the past and, at the time, it seemed helpful. Back then, the idea that anyone – let alone a young person – could be transgender or gender-diverse was a new concept for many of those we spoke to. That collective lack of experience meant transgender people and support organisations had to find some way of explaining what being trans meant. At best a difficult task, at worst a harmful and humiliating one. After all…
Nobody should have to simplify, redact or misrepresent their own innate self, simply to please the minds of those who struggle to comprehend it.”
/cont. but I’ll post Susie’s comment
“Mermaids CEO, Susie Green said: ‘Language is evolving all the time, and I find it incredibly humbling to be a part of that journey for so many young people. In the past, I’ve explained my daughter’s journey and her feelings in exactly this way. It can be so difficult to explain these things to people who’re hearing about gender identity for the first time. Certain phrases can make it easier, but no words will ever do justice to reality. Still, and I cannot stress this enough, it is not for Mermaids or anyone else to instruct people on how to describe themselves and there is no judgement whatsoever if you feel it’s right for you to say you were born in the wrong body.’”