This post contains descriptions of experiences of violence and discrimination. Please be mindful if this may be problematic for you.
Today is Transgender Day of Visibility, the day of visibility for trans people.
When one’s gender, as determined by external sex characteristics, does not match one’s self-perceived gender, it is referred to as trans, transgender, or trans identity. Although the terms are relatively new, trans people have always existed. Earliest evidence of people who fully or partially assumed a gender identity different from the one they were assigned goes back to ancient times1. Scientifically, trans identity was not addressed until the 20th century.
In the meantime, research in this field was severely set back. Reason for it was also the seizure of power of the National Socialists at the time of the 2nd World War. In the last decades transidentity has been dealt with again more intensively, scientifically and socially.
in 1981 the Transsexual Act (TSG) came into force in Germany. This still regulates today under which conditions the self-perceived gender is legally recognized. In recent decades, standards of the TSG were repeatedly declared unconstitutional. For example, trans persons still had to undergo sterilization until 2009, and until 2011 it was still a prerequisite that the external sex characteristics be adjusted through surgery.
These and other extreme encroachments on the physical and psychological integrity of trans people on the part of the law are unacceptable for an enlightened society. The current government has determined in its coalition agreement to replace the TSG by the “Self-Determination Act”. This is to form a humane legal framework so that the self-perceived gender is officially recognized. A first draft of the law has now been presented. This includes, among other things, regulations that should make it much easier for trans people to change their first name and gender registration. Gender reassignment procedures, such as hormone therapy or surgery, are not required. The persons concerned can still decide about these interventions together with their doctors².
In addition to discrimination by the state, trans people are usually also exposed to social discrimination. Various studies from different countries show that trans people suffer from an increased suicide rate. 3, 4 Among other things, this is attributed to bullying and discrimination, which affects trans young people significantly more often.
Finally, we would like to leave you with a few follow recommendations if you would like to know more about this topic:
Hanna Corales https://www.instagram.com/hanahavanna/
Linus Giese https://www.instagram.com/linus_giese/
Tiam e.V. https://www.instagram.com/tiam_ev/
Sources
1 https://gendertreff.de/definition/geschichte/
3 https://www.mdr.de/wissen/transgender-jugendliche-erhoehtes-suizid-risiko-100.html