Happy sunday! I'm not sure this will be a useful thread for the majority of people following me, but I have seen some likes here and there that have prompted it. Plus, given all the discourse going on thx to JKR, I would like to discuss: transnormativity (SUPER LONG THREAD 1/21).

I believe this would be useful for two types of audiences. (1) cis people who are trying their best to be allies to the trans "community" (which I think has picked up, particularly, during this time); and (2) binary trans people.

This may complicate things, particularly for allies, who are doing their best to listen to trans voices on trans experience and discourse. Definitely a great practice.

However, just because someone is trans, does not mean they: (a) are justice-oriented; (b) are supportive of all trans people; (c) are experts in gender theory or diverse gender experiences.

Before visiting examples of transnormativity, let's start with a perhaps more familiar concept for some: homonormativity. Homonormativity is a pretty established discussion topic within both activist and academic circles.

To put it simply, homonormativity is the adoption of heterosexist ideals and behaviors for the LGBT community (primarily, the LGB one). Ex: idealizing straight-passing, masc gay men who write "no fats/no femmes," the belief lesbian relationships require a butch/femme dynamic, ...

... anti-bisexuality discourse, transphobic views held by LGB people. From a more heady perspective, homonormativity can be imagined as the "calcification" of what gay should look like to be legitimate, respectable, and politically represented.

This brings us to transnormativity: the "calcification" of transness. What trans people should look like, act like, & identify with. Transnormative discourse is the gatekeeping of specific trans identities as "actually trans" and an adoption of cisnormative beliefs.

Here are some examples of transnormative discourse & behaviors (of which, I have seen allies & binary trans people support here, thus the thread):

(1) Trans meds or truscum trans people. Belief: you can only be trans if you have crippling gender dysphoria, medically transition in every way possible, and wish to pass as cis. Most wish they never were trans.

(1 cont) This transnormative group actively excludes: non-binary people and any trans people (a) are happy being trans; (b) who do not desire medical interventions. Passing is the ideal; those who do not pass are often demonized, pitied, or thrown under the bus.

(2) Anti-non-binary binary trans people: Some binary trans people view non-binary identities as "threatening" to the acceptance of binary trans people to a general cisgender society. Such trans people often invalidate non-binary identities as not real.

(3) Heterosexist trans people: binary trans people who do not believe in same-gender identities within the trans community (e.g., a trans man can't be gay, trans women can't be lesbians). The most extreme belief here: only straight trans people are really trans.

(4) Similar to 2, binary trans people who enforce strict ideals about masculinity & femininity. An example might be: binary trans women who believe femininity should be aligned solely w/ women (trans / cis) ...

(4 cont.) ... & femininity expressed by any other gender is threatening to their identities or their passability. Or binary trans men who uphold toxic masculine behaviors and reject femininity as a valid trans male expression.

(4 cont.) This is a discourse I have seen more and more, and one that seems highly supported on Twitter. (There are definitely more than 4 ways of being transnormative, but these are the 4 that came to mind based on experience and recent Twittering.)

Okay, so the lessons here. Yes, trans people should be listened to. Yes, trans people should speak on trans issues. However, we need to complicate the approach to transness as a monolith. Not all trans people's opinions are supportive or just; some are actively harmful.

A note in particular for allies: if a binary trans person's discourse is exclusionary of more fluid, less "traditional" experiences of gender, it is not something to be supported.

I know you are trying to be a good ally to your trans friends, but expressing support for anti-non-binary attitudes is actively harming many trans people in your life.

& a note for binary trans ppl who aren't actively exclusionary: Consider your own perspectives on the gender binary. Are you gatekeeping? Are you upholding cisnormative ideals? How can you rethink your own discourse? Has what you just expressed actively erased other experiences?

There is much more to say here... that trans people, as NOT a monolith, can be right-wing, can be classist, can be racist. Because trans people are people.

But the main point: trans people are not always supportive of trans people. (21/21: thread done.)

oh, but also, go unfollow JKR and don't buy that new HP game, thx.

oh, also, stop using exclusionary language. i know it's mostly an accident or just not something y'all cis people think about, but discussions around reproductive rights have been real trans exclusive lately.

also cis gay people: stop insulting specific genital structures, it makes you look transphobic.

i guess i had more thoughts :')

also amab/"read as male" non-binary people exist.

also amab and afab are actually terrible indicators of "read gender" cuz no you can't always tell what gender someone was assigned at birth based on appearance/voice.

tbh idk if there is a great term for this, they all suck.

let's see if i can come up with more useful takes.