Emma Mulligan
Trans*phobia exists in the trans* community
November 18, 2013“Trans*phobia,” derived from “homophobia,” refers to the aversion to trans* people. This is rather common among cis (non-trans*) people, but it also exists within the trans* community. It occurs when trans*normative people, those who appear cis and believe that other trans* people ought to as well, discriminate against people who do not wish to appear cis. This is a manifestation of internalized cisnormativity, or the belief that cis people are more normal than trans* people, which ultimately harms all trans* people by suggesting that one’s gender is debatable. I do not think that trans*nor-mative people are, in most cases, actively…
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Trans* theory is for everyone
November 4, 2013Readers who saw my last column will recall its focus on treating trans* people respectfully. One important concept I did not explain, however, is the asterisk on “trans*.” Before addressing some contemporary trans* issues in upcoming columns, this terminology must…
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How to be courteous to trans* people
October 21, 2013A trans* person is anyone whose gender identity does not align with that which they were designated at birth. A cis person is anyone whose gender identity does align with the one they were assigned at birth. Often, cis people…
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Stop discriminating against bisexuals
October 7, 2013Like many people, I’m very good at hiding my prejudices, even from myself. For the longest time, I did not even realize how unfair my beliefs about bisexual people were. This discrimination — like other forms of it — is…
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Heteronormativity is everywhere: continued
September 23, 2013In the first installation of this column, I discussed my own experience of heteronormativity in the heterosexual world, and why it is harmful to queer people. In this installment, I will address the internalized heteronormativity that many queer people —…
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Heteronormativity is everywhere
September 9, 2013Heteronormativity is pervasive, even in the ivory towers of academia. Heteronormativity is when heterosexuality is treated as more natural than other sexual orientations, and is inherently damaging to queer people. It was the fear of being treated as deviant —…
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