Transphobia is an irrational fear or dislike of transgender, gender diverse, and non-binary (TGDNB) people. This prejudice can manifest as negative attitudes, discriminatory language, or harmful actions towards individuals based on their gender identity.

Sadly, transphobia remains prevalent, significantly affecting young TGDNB individuals who face much higher rates of harassment compared to their cisgender peers. Recognising and addressing transphobia, and supporting those targeted, is crucial.

Transphobia can occur anywhere—from schools and workplaces to homes and public spaces. A 2021 survey revealed that over three-quarters of young trans people felt unsafe at educational institutions. If you’re dealing with transphobia, or you witness see someone facing it, know there are supports available.

Forms of transphobia include:

• Legislative Discrimination: Like campaigns to restrict trans women’s access to appropriate bathrooms or denying gender-affirming healthcare
• Misrepresentation: Spreading false information or depicting TGDNB individuals as threats in media
• Direct Abuse: This can range from physical assault and harassment to social exclusion and deliberate misgendering
• Exclusion from Relevant Discussions: Often, TGDNB voices are left out of media and societal debates that impact them directly.
• General Discrimination: Such as biases in employment or denial of services like housing
  

What is Internalised Transphobia?

If you’re TGDNB and find yourself feeling negatively about your own gender identity, you might be experiencing internalised transphobia. This often stems from societal messages that suggest being cisgender is the norm, and anything else is ‘wrong’. This isn’t your fault, it’s a reflection of the environment we live in.

Internalised transphobia can lead to serious mental health issues, including low self-esteem and harmful behaviours. It’s tough, but overcoming these feelings allows you to embrace and celebrate your true self. Support systems and open conversations with people who care can be incredibly helpful.

Check out this short video to learn more about internalised transphobia:

@pinkmantaray Okay, I’ll bite. Here’s a case study for what internalized transphobia looks like! If youre looking for arguments & facts regarding trans athletes, visit pinkmantaray.com/transathlete and if you want Lia-specific facts, go to pinkmantaray.com/Lia. ##transgender##transathlete##liathomas##caitlynjenner##transman##transition##transgenderman##transliteracy##genderliteracy##transtiktok ♬ original sound – Schuyler Bailar

How to Deal with Transphobia

Transphobia is not only hurtful it can make you feel invisible and unsafe. But there are steps we can take:

1. Prioritise your safety

If you are experiencing transphobia, the most important thing is to put your safety first. Sometimes violence or threatening actions are involved, and the best thing to do is leave the area to go to a safe space or supportive person. 

If the transphobia is happening online, you can step away from the device and plan to report or delete harmful comments, posts, or messages at a later time. Learn more about how to deal with cyberbullying here. 

2. Understand Your Rights

In Australia, legal protections exist against discrimination for TGDNB people. Familiarise yourself with these rights and remember, you’re not alone, and legal recourse is an option. For more information on your rights, check out:

• Transhub (for trans and gender diverse folk in NSW experiencing discrimination. Transhub is focused on trans rights and federal laws)
• Justice Connect (for trans and gender diverse folk in Victoria experiencing discrimination) 

3. Seek Support

Remember that you never have to go through transphobic situations alone, and that plenty of support is available. It’s okay to ask for support from friends, family, teachers, support services or even bystanders. 

Talking to someone you trust about the situation and expressing your emotions can help with processing what happened, and planning actions to take going forward. Remember that it’s okay to vent and cry and be angry — it can actually help us feel better.

If you don’t feel comfortable talking to someone you know, try accessing online or phone support from organisations including QLife, ReachOut, and eHeadspace. 

4. Access Professional Help

Talking to a psychologist, school counsellor, or peer worker is another great way to work through your emotions in a safe space. These mental health professionals can help you create a wellbeing plan and explore ways to look after yourself. 

It’s normal to feel worried about seeking professional support as a TGDNB person, and whether people will validate your identity in healthcare spaces. Remember that you have rights as a TGDNB patient, and there are plenty of practitioners who champion gender affirming healthcare — check out this directory to find one near you. Learn more about finding the right mental health professional for you here.  

5. Practice Self-Care

Self-care involves engaging in activities that lift your spirits and improve your wellbeing. It’s essential for building resilience and helping you bounce back from challenges more quickly. Although self-care is often touted on social media by businesses and influencers, it has a profound historical significance as a means to better navigate an unequal society. Learn more about the history of self-care here.

Self-care varies from person to person. It might include journaling, meditating, or enjoying a walk in nature. For TGDNB individuals, self-care can also mean wearing your favourite gender-affirming outfit, listening to music or watching shows with TGDNB artists, or deepening your understanding of your community and identity through various media.

6. Reject Harmful Media

While staying informed is beneficial, consuming excessive media that negatively portrays TGDNB issues can be exhausting. It’s completely valid to feel overwhelmed by such exposure and you’re not alone in this.

Taking breaks from media and politics related to your identity is perfectly okay—your mental wellbeing and safety are priorities. You can disconnect by unfollowing or reporting those who spread transphobic content on social media, stepping away from your phone, avoiding the news for a while, and engaging in self-care activities we’ve discussed previously.

Responding to Transphobia

When you experience or witness transphobia, it can feel really good to respond directly to the situation. Educating others and showing up for your community is a really positive thing. But it can also be a really challenging and even dangerous thing to do, so it’s also important to remember that doing this is a choice. We don’t always have the capacity to respond directly to transphobia, and that’s okay. Your safety and wellbeing is the priority. 

If you do choose to respond directly, some things you can do include: 

• Standing up for yourself or others, and trying to educate the perpetrator about their behaviour. If you choose to do this ensure you feel safe and have the emotional bandwidth to do it 
• Telling your parents, friends, or another trusted person so they can respond on your behalf
• Reporting it to your school or other educational institution
• Speak about the incident online or in queer spaces
• If it’s an online incident, report it to eSafety or ReportCyber
• Report the incident to the police (Learn more about interacting with police as a TGBNB person here) 

Celebrate Trans Joy!

Experiencing transphobia can be challenging and might overshadow the joy and beauty of being part of the TGDNB community. It’s completely valid to feel impacted by such experiences, but remember, you can nurture your wellbeing and embrace your authentic self by celebrating trans joy. Celebrate your identity by attending TGDNB events, engaging with positive media representations, and connecting with those who appreciate and celebrate who you are.

Where can I get support?

If you or someone you know is experiencing transphobia or transphobic harrassment, reaching out for support can be really helpful. Consider sharing your feelings with a trusted friend, family member, or a school counsellor who can offer you the understanding you need. You can also check out our full list of support services to access free and confidential mental health support.

Additional support for LGBTQIA+ folk is available through:

• QLife provides anonymous and free LGBTQIA+ peer support and referral for people wanting to talk about a range of issues including sexuality, identity, gender, bodies, feelings, or relationships
  

• Switchboard provides information, support, and referral services for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and intersex people of Victoria and Tasmania. 

• Minus18 provides resources and insightful information on gender and sexuality to help you navigate your experience.