Genderbashing: The common root of Homophobic and Trans-phobic violence
by Nikki S.
The Canadian
2nd April 2008
Author photo at foot of page
When young Simmie Williams was shot and killed in Fort Lauderdale , Florida , CBS 4 news ran the following headline:
"Gay Teen Gunned Down Dressed As Woman In Ft. Laud , FL"
The article goes on to describe the details of the murder, and questions whether Simmie was the victim of a hate crime:
Fort Lauderdale police are investigating whether a teen was shot and killed this week because he was gay.
Police said 17-year-old Simmie Williams was dressed in women's clothing at the time of the shooting and may have been a victim of a hate crime.
Now, any reasonable person would realize that Simmie was indeed murdered out of hate; the question is, what was it about Simmie that incited such a disgusting, violent reaction? Was it indeed, as the article suggests, because Simmie was “gay” meaning homosexual? Or was it because Simmie, assigned male at birth, dared to present a female appearance and attract male attention? In short, was Simmie killed or being gay, or for being transgendered?
The truth is, it doesn’t matter what category Simmie fits into, or under which type of hate crime legislation his murderers are charged. For more than any other reason, Simmie was killed for daring to cross gender boundaries.
Think about it for a moment, and it will seem a lot clearer. Homophobia is a very real phenomenon, and countless individuals have been subjected to horrifying acts of violence simply for engaging in same-sex activity. But who has the bigger bulls-eye on their forehead? Is it the straight-acting, suit-wearing, buff-and-bearded tough guy, who just prefers the company of men, and is “normal” in every other way? Or is it the effeminate fashion designer, with the tight pants, plucked eyebrows, earrings and eyeliner, “swishing” down the street? Which of these people receives the lion’s share of abuse?
The homosexual who follows the rigidly-enforced gender code, or the homosexual that breaks the gender boundary as well, and freely expresses his feminine traits?
The same is true of female homosexuals as well. The feminine, attractive “lipstick lesbian” is revered by society, accepted by nearly everyone, and constantly eroticized by straight men; does her flannel-shirt wearing, make-up rejecting, short-haired sister receive the same respect? Of course not; the “butch dyke” is despised nearly as much as the “flamboyant fag” because she dares to express her masculinity in a way that makes others, particularly men with fragile egos, incredibly uncomfortable. Because she refuses to accept her secondary status in society, she’s ridiculed, rejected and disrespected, by women and men alike.
Transphobia is rampant in our society. A man who dares to go out in public in a sundress and heels is constantly subjected to ridicule, regardless of that person’s sexual preference; nobody stops to ask about sexuality before hurling insults, eggs, or rocks in that person’s direction. Transgendered prostitutes, like other, non-trans sex workers, are routinely attacked and murdered, often in broad daylight, and the police rarely make it a priority to capture the culprits. A transgendered prostitute who is arrested for solicitation is placed in a male prison, making them subject to further violence, particularly rape and sexual assault; the guards will usually passively watch, or even laugh and participate.
The hateful components of society specifically target people who refuse to accept the role that others have assigned to them; the masculine man, or the feminine woman. By choosing to reject these expectations, we put ourselves at tremendous risk. Violence against gender non-conformists rampant, as is discrimination in the workplace, the legal system, and even in politics.
We need to end the cycle of violence, speak out against transphobia, homophobia, and all forms of gender-bashing, and realize that the old, outdated stereotypes of masculinity and femininity have no place in a modern society. If we tear apart the gender binary, the patriarchy will come crashing down with it – only then will male privilege begin to wane, and we’ll be one step closer to true equality of the sexes.
That's another article, for another time - for now, let’s just accept people as people; nothing more, nothing less.
Nikki S. is a transsexual from Toronto, who appears regularly at Goodhandy's as one of the 'Diamond Girl' dancers, and is also involved with several community and political organizations working to improve the lives of transpeople everywhere.
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