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How to Talk Trans: An IntroductionBy Devarah "Dee" Borrego February 4, 2013 This article was cross-posted from "A Girl Like Me," a program of The Well Project. As a very out and open HIV+ transwoman, I'm often approached by well-intentioned people at conferences and other events who tell me about how they support the transgender community, but that they don't exactly know how to interact with the trans people in their life and/or in their work. They want to be able to ask them about their lives and their gender history, yet they're often unaware of how to do that in a way that is culturally sensitive to the needs of the trans community. These questions nearly always arise from a place of curiosity and good intention, yet they're also ones which, when asked in the wrong way, can really alienate a trans person or make them feel uncomfortable. While it's certainly understandable to have these questions and curiosities about a trans person's gender history or identity, the way you broach the topic is critical to helping the trans person feel comfortable. Especially for people who do not identify as transgender, the story of how someone became who they are today is unique and interesting, but unless the trans person you're talking to is exceptionally open about their own history or you are a close friend to that person, most of these types of questions are simply inappropriate to ask in general conversation. I think that the key to understanding how to talk to trans people is to remember the Golden Rule -- to treat others as you would like to be treated. Expand that idea to include the types of questions you would feel comfortable answering about your own body, your own gender identity or history, and your own sexuality into that idea, and you've got a good starting point for gauging whether your query is an appropriate one. Over the next few months, I'll be writing a series of blogs about how to best interact, support, and just plain talk to the trans community. I know that the subject is very complicated, as many people are uncomfortable talking about such sensitive issues as sexuality and gender identity, however I feel very strongly that only through open dialogue and discussion can minds be challenged and changed for the better. I know I won't be able to cover everything, nor can I go into every detail of the intricacies of what it means to be a true ally of the trans community. However, my hope in writing these pieces is to help those who want to increase their own cultural competency around trans issues, especially those affecting and impacting the HIV+ trans community. Get email notifications every time this blog is updated.
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How to Talk Trans  Devarah "Dee" Borrego Ms. Borrego is an HIV+ transwoman originally from Denver, Colo., who grew up mostly in suburban Connecticut. She acquired HIV at age 20, the same year as she began her transition. She has been living in the Boston area since 2004, where she has worked with and at a number of different community organizations, including JRI Health, TransCEND, the Boston Living Center and Cambridge Cares About AIDS. She was also a founding member of the Positive Women's Network -- United States of America (PWN-USA), an organization led by and for HIV+ American women to address the way HIV disproportionately affects women in the U.S. She currently is a steering committee member for the PWN-USA, as well as the HIV Prevention Justice Alliance (HIV PJA). Read more blogs by women living with HIV/AIDS at "A Girl Like Me"  The Well Project shares its content with TheBody.com to ensure all people have access to the highest quality treatment information available. The Well Project receives no advertising revenue from TheBody.com or the advertisers on this site. No advertiser on this site has any editorial input into The Well Project's content. Subscribe to Dee's Blog:
Recent Posts:
March 5, 2013 - Anniversaries and a Cure: A Blog Entry by Devarah "Dee" Borrego
February 4, 2013 - How to Talk Trans: An Introduction January 3, 2013 - Devarah "Dee" Borrego's Intro Interviews With Dee: Transwomen and HIV With Dee Borrego This Positive Life: An Interview With Dee Borrego Conversations Featuring Dee: Breaking Down Barriers to Transgender Health and HIV Care Through the Lens of Community: Trans Inclusion in Women's and LGBT Organizations Articles by Dee: How to Survive a Plague Screening and Discussion Sexual Rights of HIV-Positive Transwomen Misunderstood Communities: Building Bridges Between "Them" and "Us" A Reflection on USCA's Coverage of and Dialogue on Transgender Issues A Brief Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself. |
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