Biology Honors Project

Theme: Challenging Biological Assumptions about Gender

Goal: To educate people and eliminate stigma from trans issues by making a pamphlet or poster

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Questions to Consider:
*How is gender different than sexuality?
-shaming men for liking transwomen

*What is NOT okay to ask trans people?

-genitalia, sexual preferences, assigned at birth, etc.

How does being asked invasive questions affect trans peoples emotional health?

*Why do pronouns matter?

How is a trans person of colors experience different than a white trans persons experience?

Why is there a divide in the LGBT community?

-not enough credit given to trans people
-the difference between cross-dressing and being trans

Why does male privilege NOT apply to trans women?

-Laverne Cox

*Why are trans people excluded from history?

-Stonewall

What is intersectional feminism?

How can we change the gender binary?

-theres more than just girls/boys

Resources:
*http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/03/trans-people-gender-essentialism/
http://www.hrc.org/resources/sexual-orientation-and-gender-identity-terminology-and-definitions
https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/sexual-orientation-gender/gender-gender-identity
https://tgmentalhealth.com/2012/10/26/what-is-the-difference-between-gay-and-transgender/
 http://janetmock.com/2013/09/12/men-who-date-attracted-to-trans-women-stigma/
https://uwm.edu/lgbtrc/qa_faqs/why-is-it-important-to-respect-peoples-pronouns/
http://transhealth.ucsf.edu/pdf/2013-0514_Web_Trans-Women-and-Sexual-Health_ENG.pdf

Over break:
People have the assumption that the body that youre born
with determines who you are.
Gender essentialism is the idea that men and women have inherent, unique, and
natural attributes that qualify them as their separate genders.(everday feminism).

Define Key Terms:

The difference between gender and sex.

Sex: the gender that you are assigned at birth

Gender identity:
One's innermost concept of self as male, female, a blend of both or neither
Ex: you dont want to be, you just are.

Sexual orientation:
What gender someone is attracted to
Ex:

Gender expression:
How someone expresses their gender identity
Ex:: clothes, makeup etc .
Tom boy- make up,

Gender fluid:
-this means that someone's relationship to their gender evolves, so they dont just stick to one
expression.

Non-binary:
Someone doesnt feel like theyre either, or both.
 How-to-Guide:

What questions not to ask:

Genitalia/Transition Questions
-What are your genitals?
-Are your genitals still functional?
-Does every trans person transition fully?
-have you had all the surgeries?

The Answer: These are invasive questions! Nobody goes around asking people about the size or shape or
status of their genitals. Just because someone doesnt fit your definition of a certain gender, doesnt mean
that its not weird to ask them those types of questions. Someones gender doesnt depend on their
genitals. Some trans people choose to medically transition and some do not. Everyones transition is
DIFFERENT.

Ignorant Questions
-What is your real name?
This should not be asked because it implies that the name or identity now is fake.

-when did you decide to be trans?

This is a misunderstanding on what being transgender is. Someone is born like this
and they get to DECIDE if they would like to take action into their true identity or not.
Someone who is trans can even DECIDE if they do not want to present themselves as a
certain gender and still be trans.
-when did you know?
-do you think you will ever go back?
All that matters is how I present myself right now. Biology doesnt determine someones behavior or
interests.
Binary Questions
-are you a boy or a girl?
This shouldnt be asked because in society there isnt just a boy or girl now.
Someone can identify differently. (Avoid being rude).

-which bathroom do you use?

Transgender people use the bathroom that they are comfortable in, just like
cisgender people
.
-are you a drag queen?(transvestite vs transexual)
This shouldnt be asked because a drag queen is just for performance, and at the
end of they day they de-drag. Where being trans you are the gender and there isnt a time
where you stop being what you identify as.

- i can tell that you used to be a man/woman

 This shouldnt be said because it is simply rude. Dont base how someone looks as
their identity.
-I don't know what to call them he/she/they
Ask. Its simple. What pronouns do you use? Maybe ask one-on-one or privately.

Sex & Sexual Orientation

-so are you gay?
Gender identity is not the same as sexuality. But if a transperson is attracted to the same sex
that they identify as, yes they would be GAY. If they are attracted to the opposite, then they
are STRAIGHT. There are straight trans people!

-how do you have sex?

This shouldnt be asked because this is private and it is nobodys business but the person
youre asking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pvBwWeG4Rpc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZPlFULFTpc

Pronouns :
Common questions:
-but what about testosterone? Doesnt that make someone a man?
-men and women have both testosterone and estrogen -- which one we have more of really only
factors into our sexual reproduction. Having estrogen doesnt make someone more likely to bake or love
the color pink, it allows them to ovulate and create eggs.

I can tell that you used to be a man/woman

- This shouldnt be said because it is simply rude. Dont base how

someone looks as their identity.
-
I don't know what to call them he/she/they

- Ask. Its simple. What pronouns do you use? Maybe ask one-on-
one or privately.
Sex & Sexual Orientation:
So, are you gay?

- Gender identity is not the same as sexuality. But if a transperson

is attracted to the same sex that they identify as, yes they would be
GAY. If they are attracted to the opposite, then they are STRAIGHT.
There are straight trans people!

How do you have sex?

- This shouldnt be asked because this is private and it is nobodys

business but the person youre asking.
-