What does it mean?
“Person with a trans history” is term sometimes used by people who used to identify as trans because they felt that their body did not fit with their gender identity.
After medical and social changes, they may now feel the two are aligned, and refer to themselves as being a person with a trans history instead.
However, many people still wish to be referred to as trans even after making social or medical changes, and do not use the term “person with trans history” to describe themselves.
History focused
"Person with a trans history" is a word that describes people using their history.
Words like this can:
- make it visible that people in that situation are able to make changes
- make it visible that people in that situation are allowed to make changes
However, words like this can also:
- help create an expectation that people’s history is public and not private
- give the impression that someone was not always their current gender
Think carefully before using this word to describe someone or a group of people - they may not wish to be described that way.
Change focused
"Person with a trans history" is a word that describes people by changes they have made or plan to make.
Words like this can:
- make it more visible that those changes are possible
- make it more visible that some people want or need those changes
- make it easier to find people to discuss those changes with
However, words like this can also:
- imply everyone should want the same things
- imply everyone should do the same things
- imply that people who do not make a particular change are inferior or fraudulent
- help create an expectation that people’s history is public and not private
Think carefully before using this word to describe someone or a group of people - they may not wish to be described that way.
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