Nov 28 2012: Five years ago I thought that trans people must have pretty rigid gender stereotypes if they couldn't expand their concept of 'male' or 'female' to encompass themselves. Now I realize that I, in fact, had a pretty rigid concept of what ultimately defines maleness or femaleness (ie genitals). It turns out gender is far more complicated than I ever imagined, and each person is ultimately the expert on where they fit on the spectrum of gender possibilities.
The reason my thinking and perceptions changed about this? I am generally an ally of marginalized groups, and it bothered me that this didn't extend to trans people. So I decided to seek out some trans people and talk to them about it. As a result of these conversations, I learned a great deal and my thinking changed completely (and very, very easily).
TEDCred score: +0.20 TEDCred reflects your contribution to the TED community.
A comment on Conversation: What is your perception of people with gender identity issues (transgendered), and has it changed in the last 5 years?
The reason my thinking and perceptions changed about this? I am generally an ally of marginalized groups, and it bothered me that this didn't extend to trans people. So I decided to seek out some trans people and talk to them about it. As a result of these conversations, I learned a great deal and my thinking changed completely (and very, very easily).