Exploring the History of Transgenderism and Shifting Perspectives in our Society
- lisavictoriabell
- Apr 14
- 6 min read
As humans, we all form judgements and opinion that is influenced by our exposure to information we receive from our parents and society as we grow. Education can help to eradicate beliefs formed by ignorance such as denying the existence of trans people or degrading those with gender difference.
This blog will help to answer any questions we may have around what being transgender means.
It will explore the history of Transgenderism and look at how society is finally starting embrace and normalise.
This sh*t is real! A brief look at Transgender history.
In all regions of the world more nuanced gender categories have existed always. According to ILGA World (2023) the gender norms acquired across the globe post- colonialism (*see 'what is colonialism?'), ‘ignore the more nuanced and diverse gender categories of several ancestral groups and cultures in all regions of the world. Historically, certain indigenous communities have incorporated gender roles moving beyond the male - female or homosexual - heterosexual binaries. With some exceptions, individuals who embody cultural gender-variant (*see the meaning of gender variance) roles and sexual identities are integrated into their communities and occupy respected social and ceremonial roles’. Imagine that? Ultimate acceptance and celebration!
*the meaning of gender variance: Gender variance is an umbrella term used to describe gender identity, expression, or behavior that falls outside of culturally defined norms associated with a specific gender. (National Library of Medicine, 2014) So the masculine and feminine traits that we recognise can be interchangeable or both present in trans people.
‘Examples are the Two-Spirits in North America, the Bonjus in Europe, the Muxes in Mexico, the Hijras in South Asia, the Takatāpuis in Aotearoa/New Zealand and the Sistergirls from the First Nation Cultures in Australia’. (ILGA World, 2023)
Historic images of indigenous gender variant people.
Historic Images of Two Spirit Folk from North America
Historic image of Hidjra of South Asia
How did our ridged male and female gender binaries become a main social ordering principle?
During colonialism in the 18th century, Transgender people were criminalised. (**see note). This fact in world history together with religious beliefs have impacted the gender binaries that have formed in our societies. Had things been different, then public toilets might be signposted as just ‘Toilets’, rather than ‘Male’ and ‘Female’. School uniform might include clothing to ‘suit all’ and clothes for babies might not be colour coded according to their visible sexual organs at birth (the gender the babies are assigned at birth).
*What is Colonialism? This was a time in history when British and other European countries imposed Christianity in different countries colonised by them, criminalising gender and sexual variance.
During colonialism, folk who neither fit into male or female binaries were criminalised and forced to hide their true identities. If they had been allowed to be free to just ‘be’, then they would have always been visible and thus accepted as human individuals and not vilified by society.
The Evolution of Recognition in the UK
Some people feel they are in the wrong body. Period!
In 2013, The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM 5) was published. This manual together with the ICD are used in the UK by NHS.
New understanding brought the reclassification from what was deemed ‘Gender Identity Disorder’ to ‘Gender dysphoria’ when relating to transgender individuals. They ditched the term ‘disorder’, meaning: ‘a state of confusion’ and replaced it with dysphoria, meaning: ‘a state of severe distress or unhappiness caused by feeling that one's gender identity does not match one's sex as registered at birth’.
According to The National Library of Medicine,
"A transgender person who was assigned female at birth may recognise that their ways of being does not fit with what society says ‘female should be’. This can cause them to feel invalidated and stigmatized". Of course this also applies to a trans person who was assigned male at birth.
A change in law.
Professor Stephen Whittle OBE is an inspirational trans gentleman whose lifelong work as a lawyer and trans activist has brought about changes in UK law to recognise and support transgender adults against discrimination. Furthermore, to have the legal opportunity to be officially recognised as their felt gender.
Photograph: Stephen Whittle.
Professor Whittle co-founded Press for Change which was the UK based trans rights lobby group that led several important court case successes at the European Court of Human Rights and The European Court of Justice. These have brought about significant legal changes including the protection of trans people in The Equality Act 2010 and The Gender Recognition Act 2004. (Manchester Metropolitan University, 2024).
The Gender Recognition Act 2004 (GRA) enables transgender adults to apply to the Gender Recognition Panel to receive a Gender Recognition Certificate (GRC). Successful applicants, who are granted a full GRC, are, from the date of issue, considered in law to be of their acquired gender. (House of Commons library, 2020.)
Important fact:
To be protected from gender reassignment discrimination, you do not need to have undergone any medical treatment or surgery to change from your birth sex to your preferred gender.
In fact, you can be at any stage in the transition process, from proposing to reassign your sex (Planning to live as the gender other than the one assigned to you at birth), undergoing a process of reassignment, or having completed it. It does not matter whether or not you have applied for or obtained a Gender Recognition Certificate, which is the document that confirms the change of a person's legal sex.
Raising Awareness: Education and Advocacy
To be celebrated.
Trans representation on our TV screens is growing. Until recent years, transgender people have not been visible in the media and so young trans people have not had a positive role model to validate their feeling of gender difference. Diverse narratives including gender difference is essential to create positive self-concepts in young trans folk.
Check out (if you have not already) the following TV shows, series and films with transgender representation:
Heartstopper rated TV-14 Great for teens!
Back to 15
Sense 8
The House of flowers
Disclosure - a documentary looking at the development of the depiction of trans characters on screen.
Baby reindeer
Here me roar
Normalising Transgenderism in society will bring about acceptance which in turn will improve the mental health outcomes of Transgender individuals. A 2022 study in the USA entitled 'The Trevor Project' found that 'LGBTQ youth who live in a community that is accepting of LGBTQ people reported significantly lower rates of attempting suicide than those who do not. Furthermore, 89% % of LGBTQ youth reported that seeing LGBTQ representation in TV/ movies made them feel good about being LGBTQ.
We can all help to normalise Transgender identities by challenging myths and stereotyping such as the belief that transgenderism is caused by mental ill health or is a recent fad.
If we understand that gender exists on a spectrum and that we all have male and female parts, we can learn to respect those with gender diverse identities.
We do not have to be transgender to advocate for the community. Cis gendered people (people who identify as the gender they were assigned at birth) can support the community by challenging discriminatory dialogue fostering inclusivity and educating in conversation with others.
Schools play a significant part in the education and normalisation of gender variance. Some schools in the UK have followed the initiative of Steve Cannon (Intercom Trust) and Toby Best (Devon and Cornwall Police) who collaboratively formulated the 'Transgender guidance for schools' in 2015. This document helps schools to provide the best support and validation for their transgender pupils within the school community.
Education of school staff together with social support groups for gender and sexual variance are advocated in the guidance.
Click on the following informative links to find out more:
Links to useful TED talks
Bing Videos A short history of trans people’s long fight for equality. Samy Nour Younes
Bing Videos How to talk and listen to Transgender people. Jackson Bird. You tuber/activist Trans male.
Bing Videos How to (AND HOW NOT TO) treat transgender people. Jackson Bird.
Bing Videos Is being queer or trans a choice?
Bing Videos Transgender: You’re part of the story. Nicole Maines. Trans female story.
Lisa Bell
She/her
LGBTQ+ Ally
Integrative Counsellor
Working Internationally Online and In-Person in Suffolk, UK.
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