Who is a Transgender person?
This is a person whose internal sense of self – their deeply held sense of their gender- (gender identity)does not correspond with their birth sex. This incongruence (mismatch)causes the person to go through gender dysphoria.
What is gender dysphoria?
Gender dysphoria is a term used to describe the distress or discomfort that may occur when a person's gender identity does not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, someone assigned male at birth may identify as female, or vice versa.
Transgender persons can manage their gender dysphoria through various channels like psychosocial support and transitioning.
What does ‘cis’ mean?
A cisgender person is someone whose gender identity aligns with the sex they were assigned at birth. For example, a person who was assigned female at birth and identifies as a woman is considered cisgender and vice versa.
How do you know you’re trans?
Some transgender individuals recall feeling different from their assigned gender from a young age, often by expressing a desire to be or identify as a different gender. Some individuals may experiment with their gender expression such as through clothing, hairstyles, or behavior, and find that it feels more authentic to them. this then leads to a level of relief from Gender Affirmation
IT’S NOT SOMETHING THAT’S A 'LIFESTYLE CHOICE' OR SOMETHING THAT COMES AND GOES.
IT IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF WHO YOU ARE THAT CAN’T BE CHANGED, IT IS ALSO CONSTANT AND RECURRING.
What’s the situation like for trans people in Kenya?
What process do you have to go through to live as the gender you innately identify as?
Transitioning is a deeply personal journey that may involve different steps depending on individual circumstances. Each person's transition is unique and should be guided by their own goals, and circumstances. Access to supportive healthcare, legal protections, and an understanding of social environments can also play a significant role in a transgender person's ability to live authentically.
Here are some common steps that transgender individuals may take as part of their transition:
Exploration: This involves recognizing and understanding one's gender identity and may include exploring the gender dysphoria they are experiencing and what it means to them.
Emotional and Mental Health Support: Many transgender individuals find it helpful to seek support from mental health professionals who are knowledgeable about gender identity issues.
Coming Out: Sharing one's gender identity with others, which can be a gradual process and may involve family, friends, and colleagues it is important to be aware of one’s safety.
note; THIS STEP IS NOT THE SAME FOR EVERY TRANSGENDER PERSON.
Community Support: Connecting with other transgender individuals and supportive communities can provide validation, understanding, and a sense of belonging.
Social Transition: This can include changes in name, pronouns, clothing, hairstyle, and other aspects of gender expression to align with one's gender identity.
Legal Transition: Updating legal documents, such as identification, passports, and other official records, to reflect one's gender identity.
Medical Transition: Not all transgender individuals pursue medical transition, but for some, it may include hormone therapy and/or gender-affirming surgeries.
It's important to note that not all transgender persons will undergo all of the steps involving the transition process.
Do you need to have gender reassignment surgery (a 'sex change operation') to be trans* ?
No, a transgender person does not need to undergo gender reassignment surgery, also known as a "sex change operation," to be transgender. Gender identity is about how a person experiences and identifies with their gender, and it is not dependent on any specific (self-affirming) medical procedure.
Transgender individuals may choose to undergo various medical interventions, such as hormone therapy or surgery, as part of their transition, but these are not requirements for being transgender.
Many transgender individuals live fulfilling lives without undergoing any medical interventions. The most important aspect of being transgender is identifying with a gender different from the one assigned at birth, regardless of any medical steps taken.!
Would you like your gender to be changed from your documents?
Gender sensitivity
UNDERSTANDING GENDER IDENTITY AND TRANS ISSUES CAN BE CONFUSING AT FIRST. NOBODY IS EXPECTING YOU TO KNOW EVERYTHING RIGHT AWAY AND IT’S OK TO ASK QUESTIONS IF THE PERSON YOU’RE TALKING TO IS HAPPY TO ANSWER THEM.
SOME TRANS PEOPLE FEEL COMFORTABLE DISCUSSING THEIR IDENTITY, SOME PEOPLE DON’T. IF YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE EXPERIENCES OF SOME TRANS PEOPLE, YOU CAN HEAR THEM IN THEIR OWN WORDS FROM RESOURCES ONLINE SUCH AS YOUTUBE AND FACEBOOK.
IF YOU SAY THE WRONG THING BY ACCIDENT (WHICH HAPPENS SOMETIMES TO MOST PEOPLE), JUST APOLOGIZE AND IF CORRECTED SAY THANK YOU.
RECOGNIZE YOU’VE GOT IT WRONG AND MOVE ON. WE’RE ALL HUMAN AND PEOPLE SLIP UP SOMETIMES. AS LONG AS YOU HAVE GOOD INTENTIONS, MOST TRANS* AND INTERSEX PEOPLE WILL APPRECIATE YOU ACKNOWLEDGING YOUR BLUNDER AND HELP YOU GET IT RIGHT.