Being an ally means taking active, ongoing steps to support LGBTQ+ people, especially trans people who face the most current political attacks.
| Myth | Fact | |----------|----------| | “Being transgender is a mental illness.” | Gender dysphoria is a recognized condition, but being trans itself is not a mental illness. The WHO removed “gender identity disorder” from its mental disorders chapter in 2019. | | “Trans people are ‘just confused’ or ‘going through a phase.’” | Extensive research shows that gender identity is stable over time for most people. Regret rates for gender-affirming surgery are extremely low (under 1%). | | “Children are being rushed into transition.” | Medical transition for prepubescent children is not done. Social transition (name, pronouns) is reversible. Puberty blockers (reversible) are sometimes used for adolescents after extensive evaluation. | | “Trans women are a threat in women’s restrooms.” | No evidence supports this. Trans people are far more likely to be victims of assault than perpetrators. Restroom bills harm cisgender women and gender-nonconforming people too. | | “Non-binary isn’t real; there are only two genders.” | Many cultures throughout history have recognized third or multiple genders. Biology is also not strictly binary (intersex people exist). Gender identity is a spectrum. | | “You have to have surgery to be ‘really’ trans.” | No. Many trans people cannot or do not want surgery. Identity is internal, not based on medical procedures. | shemale toy gallery
LGBTQ+ culture is not monolithic, but there are shared historical roots and cultural touchstones, especially in Western contexts. Being an ally means taking active, ongoing steps