You searched for trans women - Everyday Feminism

At one point during this year’s Oscars ceremony, it dawned on me: Many people don’t know the difference between trans women and drag queens! There seems to be an assumption that all people assigned male at birth who grow up to wear clothing from the women’s section identify the same way. That couldn’t be further from the truth. So let’s talk about this difference.

Cis and trans people tend to agree that it’s impossible for trans women to get periods. But wait – turns out it’s time to deepen our understanding of this question.

Do you think it’s unfair for trans women athletes to compete in women’s sports? Then you need to know this info that too many people are missing.

Silhouette of a person against a yellow-orange background

“No one in the reproductive movement is talking about this.” Do you know about the possibilities for trans women’s reproduction? This author’s experience was infuriating – but with these tips, we can do something about it.

Almost all of these myths stem from the assumption that trans women are really men, and considering us through a male frame of reference. So if there is one myth to debunk from which all others would perish, it’s the notion that our gender is not legitimate. We are women. But if you need further explanation, let me break it down for you with these 13 myths.

It’s not enough for employers to process smooth transitions for their employees, they must adjust their employee evaluation systems to account for systemic sexism or risk losing their trans employees in the long run.

These people who fetishize trans women and pose as allies may use flowery social justice language – but something’s very wrong with this picture.

Silhouette of a person surrounded by colorful lights

“Sometimes, it is all you can do to keep yourself breathing.” If you’re a trans woman of color who’s thinking about suicide, you’re not alone. Here are the lessons that helped this author keep breathing, even on the hardest days.

Person leading another by hand

Because of transmisogyny, dating trans women comes with intense social stigma. Here’s one trans woman’s affirming guidance on navigating shame, loving trans women, and loving yourself.

Person in glasses and a blue shirt against a gray wall with their hand up, as if to say "Stop"

Language around trans women is constantly evolving. So if you’re a cis ally, let’s make sure you don’t use these phrases and accidentally cause harm.

Books lined up on a shelf in order by color, creating a rainbow

Readers bestow upon themselves that title because they become completely absorbed in pages and find pieces of themselves in the novels, poetry, and memoirs that they read. So what happens when you’re queer or trans and voices similar to yours are lacking? This author explains what that experience was like for her – and then shares the books that set her free.

Are you impacted by or wanting do something about the life-threatening conditions working against transgender women of color? Then you need Lourdes Ashley Hunter’s voice in your life. Here, she celebrates Black and Brown trans and gender non-conforming identities and lives, and shares what we all need to know about how structural oppression is linked to violence.

A wet, rainy street at night with colorful street lights blurred in the distance

Thankfully, street harassment as such is increasingly being acknowledged in our society. But we almost always discuss it in terms of how cisgender women are being targeted – without mentioning other groups who are also disproportionally targeted such as trans women, particularly trans women of color. We need to make sure we include them too. Here’s why.

What have you heard about excluding transgender women from so-called “women-only” spaces? People have different ideas about why cis-women-only spaces are necessary, but their ideas come from assumptions and misunderstandings about how power and privilege work. This comic shows how excluding trans women is not okay, and why it’s transphobic to do so.

Trans women are a component of queer women’s communities, so a lack of respect amongst us just means more devaluing of women, when society dishes out plenty of that for all of us already. So with that in mind, I have put together some suggestions for cis women on thinking through some basic trans issues, including ideas on approaching trans women in a romantic or intimate context.

A person hides half of their face behind a transgender pride flag.

This kind of calling out of a “problematic” trans woman might be familiar. We need to consider these points about call-out culture’s impact on marginalized people.

A person looking out a window

From fetishizers to feminists, there are many people who participate in these ways of exotifying trans women of color. Here’s a firsthand account of the impact – with ideas on how to help end this harmful dehumanization.

Comic character saying, "Women don't have male privilege. Period."

The debate is fierce, bitter, and as old as second wave feminism: do trans women experience male privilege? Some people believe they do, but here’s the important information they’re missing.

Do you recognize these tired tropes about trans women from popular shows and movies? These “jokes” are so common that many of us still laugh along – but Kat Blaque’s got a better idea.

Despite what we like to think, feminism is not always the inclusive space that we want it to be. It can actually be an unsafe place for those seen as outsiders. A small (but vocal!) minority of feminists has a history of purposefully excluding trans struggles from feminism. And not only is this harmful for trans people, but it actually weakens feminism. Here’s why.