Transmisogyny is a specific form of oppression that transgender women and transfeminine individuals face. It uniquely combines transphobia (prejudice and discrimination against transgender people) and misogyny (hatred or prejudice against women and femininity). This article spells out what it is, how insidious it can be, and offers reflective questions to help you identify and avoid transmisogynistic biases.

Devaluation of Femininity

Put simply, transmisogyny builds on the foundations of sexism and misogyny. These ideas prioritise and legitimise maleness and masculinity, while viewing femininity and femaleness as inferior or of less value. At its core, transmisogyny stems from the belief that femininity is inherently inferior to masculinity.

There are many reasons why someone assigned male at birth (AMAB) embraces womanhood or femininity. It may be a deep internal knowing, a recognition of themselves as trans or genderfluid, or a desire to express the feminine through personality, hobbies, or presentation. In a transmisogynistic society, this embracing of the feminine is often perceived as a "rejection" of a supposedly superior male identity, leading to hostility.

Intersectional Oppression

Transmisogyny highlights how transphobia and misogyny intersect and compound each other. Transgender women are targeted not only for being transgender but also for expressing femininity in a society that devalues feminine traits. These two forms of oppression intertwine to create a distinct and intensified experience of discrimination that cannot be fully understood by looking at either transphobia or misogyny in isolation.

Targeted at Trans Women and Transfeminine People

While transphobia can affect all transgender individuals, transmisogyny specifically focuses on those who are women or who express femininity, regardless of their gender identity. This includes non-binary individuals who present femininely and are punished for "abandoning" masculinity.

What Does Transmisogyny Look Like?

• Ridicule and Harassment: Mockery regarding appearance, clothing, or mannerisms that targets both gender identity and feminine expression.
• Sexualisation and Objectification: Trans women are frequently hypersexualised, with their transition falsely attributed to a desire to attract men, which invalidates their actual identity.
• Violence: Trans women, particularly trans women of colour, experience disproportionately high rates of violence rooted in both transphobia and misogyny.
• Misgendering and Deadnaming: Intentionally using incorrect pronouns or a former name to demonstrate a lack of respect for their gender.
• Exclusion from Women's Spaces: Being told they are not "real" women and being barred from communities that align with their identity.
• Challenging Authenticity: Demands to "prove" womanhood or assumptions that their identity is a form of deception.

Reflective Questions

I acknowledge that it can be difficult to explore our internal biases. Here are fifteen questions to help you reflect on your own thoughts and beliefs regarding transfemininity:

1. Do I make assumptions about a trans woman's personality or capabilities based on stereotypes?
2. Am I more critical of feminine expressions in individuals I perceive as "male-bodied" than in cisgender women?
3. Am I more likely to sexualise or objectify trans women compared to cisgender women?
4. Do I question a trans woman's authenticity based on her appearance or medical history in ways I wouldn't question a cisgender woman?
5. Do I ever think trans women are "trying to be something they're not," implying femininity is inauthentic for them?
6. Do I feel uncomfortable with trans women in traditionally female spaces for reasons I wouldn't apply to cisgender women?
7. Do I make jokes or comments that belittle trans women or their femininity?
8. Am I more sceptical of a trans woman's motivations than a cisgender woman's in similar situations?
9. Do I think a trans woman's transition is primarily about attracting men?
10. Am I more likely to focus on the physical bodies of trans women than on their personalities or achievements?
11. Do I judge other people who are feminine more harshly if they are also trans? (This can indicate internalised transmisogyny).
12. Do I feel shame about expressing my own femininity if I am trans or transfeminine?
13. Do I find myself policing how other trans women express their gender?
14. Do I have a limited understanding of gender expressions beyond a strict male/female binary?
15. Do I think there is a "right" way to be a woman, and do my expectations differ for trans women?

In essence, transmisogyny creates a unique form of discrimination that impacts the safety, well-being, and rights of trans women. Understanding this concept is crucial for advancing gender equality. Put simply, trans people deserve better.

If this article has sparked reflection, you may be interested in our piece on Trans Research by Trans and Non-Binary Scholars, or our article on Affirming Therapy for TNBQ People, which unpacks the specific challenges clients face in therapeutic spaces.