Transphobia regroups all negative behaviour, prejudice or hate towards trans or gender non-conformative people. It can be expressed through verbal abuse (insults, mockery), psychological abuse (rumours, blackmail, outing), physical abuse (assaults, hate crime, rape, murder) or discriminatory behaviour and systemic or institutional intolerance (employment discrimination, housing discrimination, health care discrimination). A common example of transphobia is the use of the wrong name or the wrong pronouns in the presence or absence of the person in question.

Transphobia isn’t free of consequences. Young trans and non-binary people are 2 to 3 times more likely than young cisgender people to have suicidal thoughts or have attempted suicide. According to a Canadian study conducted with 14 to 18 year old trans people, close to 68% of trans men, 55% of trans women and 64% of non-binary people have thought about suicide in the last year. All discriminatory behaviour, even the slightest acts, cause psychological distress in the lives of trans people and can lead to suicide. It is therefore important to be respectful and open-minded when we talk about trans and non-binary realities to avoid further stigmatizing these people.

A reminder that in Quebec, the Charter of Human Right and Freedom forbids discrimination based on gender identity, sexual orientation, etc.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you are going through difficult times. Our services are accessible 24/7. You can also contact our legal clinic.

Sources:

GRIS Montréal et Conseil québécois LGBT (2020). La transphobie c’est pas mon genre, https://www.gris.ca/app/uploads/2020/10/GRI2001_Guide-pedagogique_02.10.20.pdf

Dubuc, Dominique (2017). Les mots de la diversité liés au sexe, au genre et à l’orientation sexuelle. https://fneeq.qc.ca/wp-content/uploads/Glossaire-2017-08-14-corr.pdf