Transmisogyny
(also: trans-misogyny)
General Information
The term "transmisogyny" was coined by Julia Serano in her 2007 book "Whipping Girl."
Transmisogyny refers to descrimination and transphobia directed at transgender women. More specifically, it refers to the unique way in which misogyny is wielded against trans women (or anyone who is outwardly perceived to be a trans woman).
It is the policing and hatred of femininity. Those who are transmisogynistic view femininity as "lesser" than masculinity and deserving of hatred and discrimination.
For those who see "male" and "female" as a rigid binary with women being the inferior category, transgender women are an inexplicable anomoly deserving of distain.
A transgender woman is just that - a woman who happens to be transgender. "Transgender" is simply an adjective used to differentiate her from a cisgender woman. It says nothing else about her nature, nor her morality.
However, there are certain people who would attempt to argue otherwise, and use it as an excuse to justify bigotry and hatred.
Though a quite uncomfortable subject, it is improtant to recognize and understand when one tries to combat discrminination. You cannot fight what you cannot see.
Various Ways it Manifests
Hypervisibility
Transgender women are hypervisible in media - typically in all of the worst ways.
The handful of transgender women who dare to not only participate in sports, but dare to be good or successful at women's sports are put under a magnifying glass powered by the sun (particularly in U.S. media) and treated as though they are a threat to women and have a "genetic advantage" in all capacities.
The existence of transgender women is often treated as the subject of spectacle. Something to overanalyze. Something to fear.
Presentation Scrutiny
Femininity is something that is heavily policed in society (particuarily in many western cultures). As with masculinity, it is a performance that one can socially "fail."
When someone is trying to be a woman (cis or trans) and they are seen as failing in terms of their appearance, this is seen as a threat to the very concept of being a woman.
Things such as failing to shave well enough, training your voice to be feminine enough, wearing the wrong clothes, not having a face that's feminine enough, or having the wrong hairstyle can put a transgender woman under scrutiny and treated as a man pretending to be a woman instead of truly a woman.
The first thing that can open up a transgender woman to further discrimination and violence is a visual indicator that she is not as feminine as others would like her to be.
Whether a deliberate aspect of her presentation or a physical feature out of her control, any little detail that can be perceived as a failure to adequately perform femininity can be used against her.
Unfortunately, it is socially acceptable both in media and day-to-day life to belittle and harass whatever a transgender woman does to try and appear feminine. To analyze every little thing and point to it as an indication that she is somehow not really a woman because she fails to meet the standards of others.
Sexualization/Fetishization
Transgender women are often assumed to be and treated as though they are sex workers (whether or not they are).
Unfortunately the way sex workers are often treated is as objects to rape or murder for the pleasure and satisfaction as those who perputrate violence against them.
Simple everday acts done by anyone regardless of gender (such as peeing in a public restroom) are treated as excuses to enact sexual assault when committed by transgender women.
Violence
Violence against transgender women is, unfortunately, not uncommon.
It is oftentimes justified as though violence against transgender women somehow inherently protects cisgender women; instead of also justifying violence against any cisgender women who dare to look masculine in some capacity.
Black transgender women in particular (especially in The United States) are a group of people highly susceptible to violence with a tragically high mortality rate.
No group of people is exempt from having those whom are criminals. While a woman being transgender does not make her a criminal, there are criminals who are transgender women.
Oftentimes, there is a push to force transgender women into men's prisons, opening them up to increased violence and rape.
Examples
Content warning for various descriptions of bigotry to be used as examples for how this sort of discrimination can manifest.
Transgender women are trying to invade women's spaces.
A straight transgender woman is really just a gay man trying to rape straight cisgender men.
A transgender lesbian is just a straight man trying to rape lesbians.
Transgender women are just confused men.
Transgender women are just men sexually aroused by the idea of being women.
Mention of the idea of a trans woman in a movie or tv show is nothing but a joke about her existence.
Additional Resources
BWSS - Transmisogyny 101: What It Is and What Can We Do About It
Huffington post: Melissa Jeltsen: 05/13/2016: If You Think Trans Bathroom Access Doesn’t Matter, Listen To This Girl’s Story
Julia Serano - Trans-misogyny Primer
Julia Serano - Whipping Girl
Medium - I Am A Transwoman. I Am In The Closet. I Am Not Coming Out.
Medium - What Is Transmisogyny?
RCSGD - Transmisogyny
Trans Doe Task Force - locating & identifying murdered or missing transgender people
Trans Language Primer - “Autogynephilia”
Trans Language Primer - Transmisogynoir
Trans Language Primer - Transmisogyny
Trans Language Primer - Transmisogyny Affected / Exempted (TMA/E)
Wikipedia - A Short History of Transmisogyny
Wikipedia - Transmisogyny
Wiktionary - V-coding
YouTube Video: ContraPoints: 02/01/2018: Autogynephilia | ContraPoints
YouTube Video: Laura Flanders & Friends: 01/11/2010: GRITtv: Julia Serano: Trans Hatred Comes from Misogyny
YouTube Video: LastWeekTonight: 04/07/2025: Trans Athletes: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)
