Authors: Serafim & Alex, transgender people
Transmedicalism is the radical ideology/belief that being transgender is primarily a medical issue defined by the presence of gender dysphoria and treated via medical transition (such as hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery).
Common ideas expressed by transmeds
“Transgenderism/transsexualism is a mental illness/medical condition that requires a gender dysphoria diagnosis and medical transition.”
Due to their medical approach to the topic of being trans, some transmeds refer to themselves as “transsexual” rather than “transgender”, highlighting medical transition over the identity alone. Additionally, they frequently emphasize biological sex, including their own. (Ex. One of the well-known transmed influencers on YouTube, Marcus Dib, used to have the following in his Instagram bio: “Not a real man, but a biological woman living life as a man”.)
“You can’t be trans without gender dysphoria.”
Transmeds hold the belief that a transgender person’s identity is only valid if they experience pronounced gender dysphoria and pursue medical transition. Those who do not meet these criteria are often labeled as “transtrenders”, implying their identity is performative or attention-seeking. According to transmeds, anything traditionally associated with a trans person’s birth assigned sex, whether biologically or socially, should always be the cause of extreme discomfort. (Ex. A “real” transgender man couldn’t possibly wish to give birth to a child, because “being pregnant should cause the biggest amount of dysphoria for someone who wants to identify/be perceived as a male”.)
Physical dysphoria isn’t a universal experience. For some, it is linked both to their primary and secondary sex characteristics, whereas for others, it’s limited to one of these categories, or none at all. While some transgender individuals don’t experience physical dysphoria, they may still face social dysphoria due to being forced into specific gender roles or situations that don’t align with their identity. Regardless of the degree or kind of dysphoria, any non-cis individual’s identity is valid.
“Gender is binary.”
Due to supporting the strict gender binary and upholding patriarchal beliefs, transmeds tend to see transition as shifting from one extreme of the gender spectrum to another, with nothing in-between. Feminine trans men and masculine trans women are usually frowned upon by transmeds due to their lack of aim to fit into the traditional gender roles associated with the gender they identify as. Some transmeds may also exclude non-binary people due to the misconception that they do not experience dysphoria, while some of them do/undergo gender-affirming care.
“I can’t be transphobic because I’m trans.”
While these two terms might appear mutually exclusive, it is very possible to be both trans and transphobic. Transmeds get accused of transphobia due to the very specific and limiting criteria they set up for the individual to be considered “legitimately” trans. This is a form of internalized transphobia, where they subject themselves and others to the extremely rigid “norms” of transitioning.
What causes transmedicalism?
Internalized transphobia is one of the root causes of transmedicalism. As a result, transmeds’ own negative self-view is projected out into the world. They experience frustration when other transgender individuals don’t conform to the stereotypes they themselves are “supposed” to conform to because they’re the “real” trans people.
In a similar way, transmed influencers are the case of a trans person with a lot of internalized transphobia being granted an audience, thereby creating a lot of transphobic drive. Some examples of transmed influencers include Marcus Dib, Buck Angel, and Blair White. A major portion of their audience is composed of transphobic cisgender people.
Transmeds believe that appealing to transphobes will give them the validation they crave because they’re one of the “exceptions”. Therefore, allying with the oppressors makes them look “better” in their own eyes, causing them to feel superior to other trans people due to their pursuit of external validation while fighting internal self-hatred.
Some transmeds also believe that prioritizing social identity over medical transition would limit transgender people’s access to healthcare.
What are the dangers of transmedicalism?
- spreading misinformation among general audiences and the LGBTQ+ community, with younger audiences being at higher risk;
- due to their radical beliefs, transmeds end up rehashing gender stereotypes and conservative transphobic talking points, which reinforces the rigid gender norms that historically held back transgender people;
- invalidation/separation of members within an already marginalized community;
- enforcing the idea that there is only one “true” way of being trans, which could lead to some individuals questioning their validity.
How to confront/fight transmedicalism?
While there is little we can do to change someone’s mindset when they are already deeply engulfed in their beliefs, we can always strive to inform ourselves and others from real and unbiased sources, such as official studies on the transgender topic. A great start in acknowledging the difference between good and bad information is fact checking. Are you really being told the truth, or yet another spin on toxic patriarchal gender norms?
Start discussions among your local transender community. Be respectful and ask whether or not the transmedicalist talking points you’ve been presented with hold any real value.
Additionally, after you’ve informed yourself, a good idea would be to inform others by pointing out misleading information, as well as providing sources to back up your point.
These small actions can help deter misinformation – if not on a larger scale, then at least at the level of your local community. By educating yourself and others, you are ensuring that people are capable of critical thinking and discerning facts from fabrication.
