The LGBTQIA+ community faces various forms of discrimination, including racism and sexism, highlighting the fact that even within marginalized groups, further hierarchies exist. Being queer does not automatically equate to being compassionate or open-minded. The intersection of sexuality and gender identity often leads to heated debates over whose rights should hold more validity and whose identities warrant more respect. There are always those within every community who cling to outdated ideas, and sometimes that includes lesbians who fail to support their transgender counterparts, mistakenly believing that these identities somehow diminish their own.
When Elliot Page came out as transgender and expressed his preference for he/they pronouns, it sparked intense reactions among some lesbians. It’s baffling how quickly some people can turn against someone who has been a source of representation within the community.
Representation is crucial for those of us in the queer community. When celebrities come out as gay or transgender, it feels like a collective win for visibility. Elliot Page has long been a celebrated figure as an actor and activist, representing the struggles and triumphs of queer individuals. However, some lesbians felt a sense of betrayal when he transitioned, as if he had abandoned his identity as a woman and, by extension, left them behind.
This conflict is not unique to the broader community; it often emerges within the cisgender lesbian sphere, particularly between transmasculine individuals and those who identify as bisexual. Some lesbians express feelings of loss when someone transitions away from a female identity or when a woman who identifies as gay becomes involved with a man. This reaction stems from a belief that transitioning to a more masculine identity equates to gaining male privilege and benefitting from a patriarchal society that already marginalizes women—especially queer women.
However, identity should never be dictated by someone else’s perceptions or biases. It’s essential to recognize that both cisgender and transgender individuals may experience privilege in various forms, but this shouldn’t invalidate anyone’s identity. The notion that transitioning is akin to selling out is a harmful stereotype that perpetuates transphobia.
Elliot Page, along with others who have transitioned, continues to serve as a role model. The real loss is the respect for those in the community who display transphobic attitudes instead of supporting someone’s journey toward authenticity.
Lesbians who express sorrow or anger over Page’s transition are being hypocritical and transphobic. Mourning the loss of Page’s female identity parallels a parent grieving their child’s coming out as straight; it reflects a refusal to accept the deeply personal nature of gender identity.
The animosity some lesbians harbor towards transmasculine individuals mirrors the attitudes of TERFs (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists) who wrongly perceive transgender women as threats to cisgender women. The belief that biological sex is the sole determinant of gender is outdated and scientifically unfounded.
While jokes about sexual orientation can be light-hearted, they should never foster genuine animosity. The idea that someone transitioning is a personal loss is misguided—what if they had held onto their identity so tightly that they couldn’t accept others for who they are?
Elliot Page has every right to identify as a lesbian; it isn’t exclusively a label for cisgender women. There are numerous transmasculine and nonbinary individuals who identify as lesbians, and all deserve recognition and respect. Fortunately, the majority of the community remains inclusive and supportive of each individual’s journey.
For more perspectives on the importance of acceptance within the LGBTQIA+ community, check out this blog post.
Summary
The article discusses the issues of transphobia within the lesbian community, particularly in relation to Elliot Page’s transition. It highlights the importance of representation in the LGBTQIA+ community and emphasizes that identity should not be dictated by others’ perceptions. The piece calls for acceptance and understanding, noting that all individuals, regardless of their gender identity, deserve respect.