Wait…They’re Not the Same Thing? : Transgenderism and Sexual Orientation

Me before reading Joanna Herman's article

I wanted to focus on the transgendered community within the larger LGBTQ community because they are a smaller subset who are not as well-known as lesbians and gays but who still need the protection and strength of the community to thrive in American culture. I personally don’t know much about transgendered people. I know some about cross dressers but they dress in the clothes of the opposite sex. They do not make the decision to live forever as a member of the opposite sex. I find the whole process of gender identification and rea

 

ssignment fascinating. There is so much that goes into the decision to be a gender other than what you were born.

As I was reading about transgenderism, I came across an article by Joanne Herman in the Huffington Post about gender identity and sexual orientation. What blew my mind was that one has nothing to do with the other. You could be born a woman and be attracted to men. Then decide to live as a man and still be attracted to men. Or you could decide to be attracted to women now. I didn’t know that was possible. Joanna Herman wrote, “Confused? Don't be. All you have to remember is that sexual orientation is completely different from gender identity. You can't tell one from the other” in her article about transgenderism and sexual orientation. She summed my thoughts on the matter quite succinctly.

What I have discovered is that even though transgendered people are included within the LGBTQ community their inclusion has nothing to do with their sexual orientation but the world at large-and sometimes the homosexual community-don’t understand the difference. Herman, a transgendered woman herself, wrote how she has to distance herself from the lesbian and gay community a little in order to make it clear that she is straight. That actually makes me sad a little bit. Even within the supposed welcoming arms of the LGBTQ community, people still have to separate themselves. Still have to educate and bring awareness. Still have to shine a light on ignorance and assumptions.

I’m really glad that our group chose to create a campaign about the LGBTQ community. It’s only been a month and I’ve learned so much. What do you guys think about the terms gender identity and sexual orientation? Is there a difference for you? Comment and tell us your thoughts.

Best Wishes,

Dahlia Herrod, Tianna Randle-Bean, Vanessa Barrientos

*Disclaimer: This blog is for a class project and not an official blog