Two community coordinators at Ohio University’s LGBT Center give their thoughts on overcoming institutional biases, the term “privileged” and who transgender people are attracted to.
How do I overcome my biases that I have learned from day one of my social institutions?
SH: It isn’t easy to unlearn prejudices when you were raised to view certain groups of people in a negative light. The first step in overcoming inbuilt bias is to acknowledge that you have one. Then with that acceptance, you can actively monitor your responses to people and analyze what caused that response. If you notice yourself making assumptions about people due to their appearance, take a step back from the situation and try to understand why that is. Just acknowledging your bias isn’t enough to move past it. Having one influences people in subtle ways, ways that you might not even notice though you’re aware of being raised to have one. Another good tip is to not get defensive if others call you out on your views/behavior. You don’t get to decide what is prejudice against a group you personally are not a part, it is up to the people who are in that group. So if someone does call you out, take their words to heart and use it as a learning experience so that you can better understand and overcome your bias.
Who are transsexual/transgender people attracted to?
SH: Being transgender has no influence on someone’s sexual/romantic orientation because being Trans has to do gender identity, not what gender(s) they are attracted to. People who identify as Trans can be attracted to only one gender (gay/lesbian or heterosexual) or multiple genders (bisexual, pansexual, polysexual, etc.), it just depends on the person.
Why has another term not been chosen for “privileged”? It is akin to “better off” but is also derogatory. What’s with that? I definitely feel not accepted by the LGBT community for being “privileged.”
EH-S: I would first like to answer your question with another question: why do you feel attacked when people point out your privilege? Why do you feel victimized because you are afforded basic human rights that others are robbed of? We can be fired in 29 states just for being queer. The homeless youth population is 20-40 percent LGBT while only making up 5-10 percent of the total youth population. 1 in 2 trans people will be sexually abused or assaulted in their lives.
I have shared these facts with you to illustrate the larger issues our community faces. I'm sorry if you see "privilege" as a derogatory term, but I also urge you to examine why you are so interested in joining designated LGBT spaces if you are not LGBT. You have the whole world and I cannot blame people for protecting the few places with respite from the near constant deluge of hate and violence. I encourage you to continue learning and listening and pushing your boundaries but please do not equate your discomfort to our fear for just existing.
Emma Holman-Smith and Sam Haug are community coordinators for the LGBT Center at Ohio University. Do you have a question relating to the LGBT community? Email them to lgbt@ohio.edu, email them to oulgbtcenter@gmail.com, tweet @oulgbtcenter with #qaqueer, or post on the center’s Facebook page, oulgbtcenter (you can also private message).
