noun
vi·o·lence/ˈvī(ə)ləns/
- behavior involving physical force intended to hurt, damage, or kill someone or something.
Let’s talk about violence and the ways in which transmasc folks experience this. We are not
magically immune to it. Violence may show up in many forms: verbal, emotional, spiritual,
financial, physical violence, sexual violence, intentional deception, name-calling, stalking,
gas-lighting, smear campaigns on social media, cutting one off from family and friends, infidelity,
false pity stories, and sometimes death.
Often times transmasc folks find it difficult to access resources and support when experiencing
any type of violence. Why? Because these individuals felt that the only narrative being handed to them was that they were always “privileged” and protected because they were preceived as male or masculine presenting. They feel their true experiences of facing transphobic violence would not be taken seriously, perhaps even dismissed as mere complaining or a tactic to take attention away from the undeniably important topic of violence against trans women. Trans men are not seen as
credible “victims” once they transition to male or masculine presenting. I find the assumption
that our gender instantly makes us invulnerable or always protects us from violence when
others learn of our trans status to be violent in and of itself. I do acknowledge that some of us
may carry a level of privilege that some transwomen don’t, that doesn’t negate our desperate
need for support.
I have personally experienced several types of violence due to my trans status, I have been left
with emotional and physical scars with no one, outside of fellow transmen and close trusted alliesto help or support me thru. The experience of transwomen and transmen are not comparable experiences and yet the justification and rationale as to why our resources and support are non existent is due to the challenges and disturbing violence inflicted on our trans sisters. There should be support for our community as a whole. The lack of support creates more harm and violence in the way of suicide. Transman experience violence, transphobia, intimate partner violence, and traumas at higher rates than cis male AND cis female counterparts and at nearly the same rates (30%) as our transfemm counterparts. (29% for transmasc)
The Advocate’s “Boys Do Cry” series has written that experiencing violence can lead to suicide
and suicide attempts. A research study done by Injustice at Every Turn found within the
transmasc respondents 41% of those who attempted suicide, and for those who experienced
physical assault it rose to 61%. Sexual assault survivors had a 64% attempt rate and 65% of
those who experienced domestic violence had attempted suicide. These figures make it clear
that sexual assault and domestic violence can be as potentially fatal as hate crimes.
Another disturbing trend that goes left unsaid is centered around the violence some transmen
experience from transfemm identified people. Let’s be clear ALL people can cause harm to
other people and this doesn’t exclude transfemm or transmasc folks. It is assumed that
transmasc folks don’t experience IPV from within the trans community and this is a complete
fallacy. Transmasc folks don’t report violence and harm caused by transwomen in an effort to
understand and prevent them from coming in contact with law enforcement. This also causes
these partners to think this is ok and continue the behavior. Often when transmasc folks do
reach out to the community for assistance they are met with questions as to the validity of the
harm or dismissed all together. We need to support survivors of this violence regardless of
gender identity, victim shaming leads to so many more dangerous outcomes such as suicide
and self harm. Let’s do better y’all
Have a different opinion or perception? Have you experienced this? Join the conversation and comment below and let’s talk about this.
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Luckie
Invisible Men 