The 'T' within LGBT

How does the ‘T’ fit within LGBT?

Some people – both transgendered and non-trans LGB people – argue against the inclusion of T issues alongside LGB issues because they consider sexual orientation and gender identity to be incomparable. However, CUSU’s group is an “LGBT” group, including advocacy of transgender issues within its remit. There are a number of reasons for including transpeople within LGB safe spaces and advocacy:

1: Many trans people are gay, lesbian or bisexual and conversely many gay, lesbian or bisexual people are trans. Non-binary gender identities render heterosexuality nonsensical.

Those transitioning from one gender to another in most cases will be moving into or away from the LGB community; as most people who transition retain their sexual orientation (although not always – it is not uncommon for transsexual people to identify as heterosexual or homosexual both before and after transition), a transsexual person is likely to start identifying as gay or lesbian as a result of their transition, or is likely to have previous links with the LGB community which they do not wish to entirely break with as a result of subsequently identifying as heterosexual.

Similarly, the gender identity of genderqueer and androgynous people is likely to place them in a position in which heterosexuality is nonsensical, due to there being no “opposite” gender to their identities.

2: Trans people have always been present in the LGB community.

LGB communities have long held ties with those with transgender identities. Although gender identity and sexual orientation are not comparable, many LGB people consider themselves non-gender-normative, ranging from “butch” lesbians and “femme” gay men, through to drag kings and queens who are often non-heterosexual, through to those who more radically question societal assumptions around gender.

3: LGB people often challenge gender boundaries in their social behaviour and may even be targeted because of their gender presentation.

Similarly, much of the prejudice facing both LGB and transgendered people results from assumptions around what is considered to be gender-appropriate behaviour – that there are certain ways one is “supposed” to act as a member of a particular gender, including being attracted to those of the “opposite” sex. Much of the discrimination against transgendered people is also likely to be familiar to LGB people (particularly older persons) and come from similar quarters – many are disowned by their family, and are subject to verbal, sexual and physical assault.

4: Learning to accept your trans identity can be in some ways similar to the process that some LGB people experience in recognizing and accepting their sexuality.

LGB and trans people have to face similar issues as they come to terms with the sexuality and gender identity respectively. These include the common processes of disclosure and coming-out, adjusting and adapting or choosing not to adapt to social pressures to conform to the norm, and fear of loss (or indeed actual loss) of relationships.

5: We’re stronger together.

The transgender community is relatively small compared to the LGB community; although there are no statistics on the number of cross-dressers, androgynes and genderqueer people, it is estimated that somewhere between 1 in 2,000 and 1 in 125,000 people are transsexual. Because of this, ensuring a safe environment for transpeople requires advocacy from the non-”T” elements of LGBT.