Thanks to Egale Canada for sharing this video and insight from Janet Mock who is a transgendered person and wrote a book entitled "Redefining Realness". In this interview she highlights how uncomfortable it is for many people who are transgendered to answer questions about their body and intimate details of biology on public television. As the article from where this link was taken notes, "This kind of questioning ultimately reduces a complex question of identity into one of physicality". That is true not only for transgendered people but for sexuality and sex education across the board. Complex questions of identity and relationship are sacrificed to an overwhelming emphasis on "plumbing", risk management, and safety. This mock interview she interviews someone who is "cisgendered". Cisgender refers to someone who acts according to the gender expectations that society places upon their sex. For example, hair cuts, dress, jewelry, etc.
Gender non-conformity is different than being transgendered (also referred to as gender dysphoria). As the World Professional Association for Transgendered Health writes, Gender nonconformity refers to the extent to which a person’s gender identity, role, or expression differs from the cultural norms prescribed for people of a particular sex (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Gender dysphoria refers to discomfort or distress that is caused by a discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and that person’s sex assigned at birth (and the associated gender role and/or primary and secondary sex characteristics) (Fisk, 1974; Knudson, DeCuypere, & Bockting, 2010b). Only some gender-nonconforming people experience gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. Treatment is available to assist people with such distress to explore their gender identity and find a gender role that is comfortable for them (Bockting & Goldberg, 2006).
This was the case for Janet. The discussion that follows the mock interview is enlightening and most interesting. Full article here: Activist Janet Mock Flips the Script, Asks Alicia Menendez to Prove Her Womanhood
Gender non-conformity is different than being transgendered (also referred to as gender dysphoria). As the World Professional Association for Transgendered Health writes, Gender nonconformity refers to the extent to which a person’s gender identity, role, or expression differs from the cultural norms prescribed for people of a particular sex (Institute of Medicine, 2011). Gender dysphoria refers to discomfort or distress that is caused by a discrepancy between a person’s gender identity and that person’s sex assigned at birth (and the associated gender role and/or primary and secondary sex characteristics) (Fisk, 1974; Knudson, DeCuypere, & Bockting, 2010b). Only some gender-nonconforming people experience gender dysphoria at some point in their lives. Treatment is available to assist people with such distress to explore their gender identity and find a gender role that is comfortable for them (Bockting & Goldberg, 2006).
This was the case for Janet. The discussion that follows the mock interview is enlightening and most interesting. Full article here: Activist Janet Mock Flips the Script, Asks Alicia Menendez to Prove Her Womanhood
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