Transgender is an umbrella term for people who do not align with the sex they were assigned at birth. Early cases of trans people date back hundreds of years which includes Lili Elbe, who was the first identifiable trans woman to have sex reassignment surgery. Over the course of the century, trans people have become more visible. In the new millennium a lot of changes have contributed to this new found visibility of trans individuals. This is due to a shift in societal attitudes, representation in the media, and more education about trans individuals.
One of the main causes of this new found visibility for transgender people is the shift in societal views. In recent years, society has become more accepting of those who are transgender and a part of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community. Many politicians have spoken out and voiced their accepting views about people in the LGBT spectrum. For example, President Obama has been vocal about marriage equality and has enacted new laws that protect trans people from discrimination in the workplace. Current politicians like Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders have been active in supporting LGBT people. In addition to politicians, many campaigns have also been created in supporting LGBT people. For example, the Trevor Project and the NOH8 campaigns are dedicated to raising awareness on LGBT people and many celebrities have endorsed these groups. The growing amount of support of transgender individuals have allowed people who are trans to openly and freely live their lives with little or no judgment.
With the growing support and societal shift of trans individuals, representation of these individuals in the media have also contributed to transgender visibility. Many social media platforms like YouTube, Twitter, and Instagram have seen an increase of people who are transgender. These include transgender social media personalities Gigi Lazzarato and Julie Vu. Trans people have also been represented through television. Television shows like Orange is the New Black and Transparent feature trans actresses and characters. Laverne Cox and Jeffrey Tambour have been nominated for their roles as transgender characters sparking an increase of representation and visibility in the media.
Lastly, education plays an increasing role in the visibility of transgender people. Transgender advoctes like Janet Mock, Laverne Cox, and Caitlyn Jenner have used their celebrity statuses to educate the world and speak out about transgender people. In particular, Laverne Cox has travelled across the nation and has participated in speaking arrangements to talk about growing up as a trans woman. She uses her status as a trans icon to educate those who are unknowledgeable about the term transgender. In addition, track athlete and television personality, Caitlyn Jenner has documented her journey and transition into womanhood through her show “I Am Cait” as a way to educate society. Janet Mock has released a book and appeared on Piers Morgan to discuss her transitions. With the growing education of transgender people to society, trans individuals have used this opportunity to let their stories be heard and also educate those who do not know about the transitioning process.
There are many effects, both positive and negative consequences, of this newfound transgender visibility. One of the positive effects of transgender visibility is the decrease in suicide rates of those who are transgender. Many people often feel repressed because they are afraid to openly live as trans and this longtime repression eventual grows into suicide. The growing visibility of trans people has allowed those in hiding to live more openly and liberally. One of the negative effects of transgender visibility includes an increase of hate crimes and murders of those who are transgender. Time magazine reports that the hate crime rate of trans individuals is at an historic high of 15. This is because of the increase in visibility.
In conclusion, transgender visibility is the result of a shift in societal attitudes, representation of transgender people in the media, and the growing education about trans individuals. Transgender visibility is very important because it allows those living in repression to see that the world is now changing for the better. The more representation of transgender people in this world will allow for the hate and ignorance to subside and bring forth acceptance. As individuals, it is important to be educated on matters that are becoming the new norm.
