As transgender related issues receive increasing amounts of media exposure, I encounter more and more criticism within the community about the use of generalizations such as, "S(he) felt that s(he) was trapped in the wrong body." Many trans* individuals feel offended by and uncomfortable with the dissemination of a narrative that focuses exclusively on the dominant conception of assigned sex rather than the fiercely personal sense of gender identity.
To an extent, I agree with these arguments. Indeed, the default statements that precede the appearance of transgender guests on daytime talk shows such as Oprah and The Tyra Banks Show demand a diluted and digestible rationale for transitioning that will not break the thin ice that is already being tread upon. They serve to remind us that acceptance is scant and thus, we must rapaciously consume the few bread crumbs that are thrown our way as a token of acceptance. In this manner, the media facilitates a trade-off between the indispensable dignity of an autonomous individual and reaping the privileges conferred by the masses when our story is more palatable to them.
As transgender writer and activist Janet Mock puts it, "Why don’t I like it? Because it places me in the role of victim, and to those who take mainstream media depictions as truth I’m seen as a human to be pitied because I’m someone who needs to be saved, rather than a self-determined woman with agency and choice and the ability to define who I am in this society and who I will become in spite of it."
That being said, I have major reservations about the implications of insinuating that transgender people are able to acquire the tools conducive to this agency of which Mock so highly speaks. To prime you for this discussion, consider an article that I read just a few days ago written by a lesbian woman who hesitates to introduce her long-term partner as "wife" to co-workers and friends, in spite of them having recently obtained a civil union. Although their relationship certainly resembles a marriage when framed in terms of level of commitment and devotion, the author feels that it would be a disservice to imply to others that she and her partner have been allotted more federal protections than the law really allows. Thus, she draws attention to the importance of using nomenclature that keeps things in perspective and does not undermine the nature of the injustices that marginalized communities continue to be subjected to.
I will never condemn a fellow member of the Trans Family for their views. Far from it-of all people, no one is more entitled to state an opinion regarding trans issues than a trans person. This is why I hold the stances of all trans people in the highest esteem, whether I agree with them or not.
That being said, I think that while Janet Mock means well, she is promulgating the Transgender Dream, a journey that is delineated with sidewalks paved in gold. The harsh reality is that for many people, the means for transitioning, even partially, continue to be unattainable.
Stark classism is evident in a community that is already disproportionately impacted by unemployment, poverty, and lack of familial and social support. Quite frankly, taking the initiative to live full-time as one's true gender costs a lot of fucking money. Really, the cost is astronomical.
First, you have to buy a whole new wardrobe. You are basically building a whole closet from scratch instead of purchasing a few articles here and there as old items become disposable. Then, depending on where you live and what health care providers are in your area, you have to invest in therapy for months in order to receive a diagnosis of gender identity disorder so that you can receive a letter of recommendation to go ahead and start the process. If you don't have health insurance, you are fucked.
I was incredibly lucky, for I just so happen to be able to get to Philadelphia by train, where the Mazzoni Center is located. Mazzoni is an LGBT health care and wellness center that operates on an informed consent model, which means that there is no requirement for a letter from a therapist or specific requirements about about how long you have to live as your true gender. And those letters can be expensive-I have one friend who paid $600 for a lousy piece of paper that granted him permission to make decisions about his own medical care. And depending on what part of the country one resides in, there might not even be any gender therapists located in the vicinity. Some trans people travel to other states just to attend weekly therapy sessions, which again costs a shit ton in gas money.
Then you have to pay for the doctor's visits so that you can receive a thorough examination and have a full blood panel done in order to ensure that your state of health is optimal before starting the transition. Again, if you don't have health insurance, you are fucked. There are bound to be several appointments, so there are more co-pays and travel costs, as well. Then you have to pay for the actual hormones themselves. With insurance, they can range anywhere from $50 to over $100 a month. People without insurance have to pay out of pocket. This is why some trans people resort to buying hormones off of the black market. They might also consider illicit means to attaining their goals if therapists deny their letter if they find out that their transgender client has a history of sexual abuse. Unfortunately, it is (erroneously) believed by some in the field that these experiences influence one's gender identity.
I cannot speak for trans women, for I am simply ill-informed about the surgical means that are available to them. What I do know is that chest reconstruction surgery for trans guys is anywhere from $7,000-$10,000, and a full-fledged phalloplasty can cost anywhere from $50,000-$150,000. And for most trans guys, the current limitations of medical technology do not even make it a viable or safe option.
There is the cost of changing one's legal name, which is around $300 after court fees. There are the various fees associated with updating one's driver's license, passport, and other government issued documents and forms of identification.
So...is the age old narrative of being "trapped in the wrong body" over-simplified? Certainly. But is it inaccurate? I am not so sure. Of course, I cannot speak for all trans people. We are as diverse as we are numerous and well dispersed throughout the population and among all walks of life. But I think it is safe to say that agency must be backed up by currency in order to have any real value. And until trans individuals are able to take the steps that are necessary for being recognized as who they really are, well...the body isn't exactly going to feel like an ample ecological preserve imbued with opportunity, open spaces, and life-affirming experiences.
Maybe it would be more accurate to say that we were born into a bloody liberation front.
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