A trans-positive hashtag has gone viral on Twitter for showing how transgender people don’t have to look or perform gender in a certain way.
Twitter user @wondyful started the hashtag #TransLooksLikeThis on Wednesday, bringing to light the discrimination some face for not being “trans enough,” not having top surgery or being on hormone therapy, or “passing” as their preferred gender.
https://twitter.com/wondyful/status/1080669598632923136
https://twitter.com/wondyful/status/1080653159524065281
While trans visibility has increased significantly over the past few years, the scope is limited as to what trans bodies, faces, and experiences look like, as the hashtag points out.
The hashtag inspired many to share their own stories and photos on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/hrenochka/status/1081394410187902976
#TransLooksLikeThis im a nonbinary boy (he/they) im proud of who i am, and I am enough. Thank you to @SteelballMyles my loving boyfriend for pushing me to be confident and love myself. And thank you @gothfruits for being so damn inspiring and giving me the courage to post this ❤ pic.twitter.com/3ENyJ3OuSZ
— 🔥🔥 sickie mode 🔥🔥 (@Kiervocado) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/bikenesmith/status/1080875225724710912
https://twitter.com/airsignclub/status/1080880052919771136
https://twitter.com/bookjinni/status/1080740413542150146
https://twitter.com/Werewoozi/status/1080702639359356928
https://twitter.com/MalditoChulitx/status/1081395592314671104
https://twitter.com/princesa_mp3/status/1081069245084004352
#TransLooksLikeThis fat fem trans guy and gay as hell pic.twitter.com/J1rHdzLYgj
— 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️hugo🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈 (@furbypuff) January 4, 2019
It also revealed the intersectionality of race, class, age, and body positivity in the trans community.
never do these but friendly reminder that trans is nonbinary, trans is asian, trans is what u make it! happy 1 year on T to me 😌 #TransLooksLikeThis pic.twitter.com/VNenStzNrN
— max (@punkcorgi) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/codedivagames/status/1080706507237408770
#TransLooksLikeThis not every transgirl in the world can afford e (and not every trans person wants hormone reassignment)
— Cara The Sim (@CaraThe5imian) January 3, 2019
I hate the thin facial hair I have but posting this pic is important to me pic.twitter.com/R7KpodBHXn
https://twitter.com/rutituti57/status/1080883660042260482
https://twitter.com/thecrosseyes/status/1080912732763783168
https://twitter.com/mxacdumlao/status/1080838492689711105
Some are using the hashtag to share their journeys and teach us a thing or two about self-love.
13 y/o pre T me was fucking wild at 105 lbs with an eating disorder n shit. god, I’m fuckin proud of where I’ve gotten. 19 y/o, 135lbs and strong 💪. #TransLooksLikeThis pic.twitter.com/COYBPIezfG
— August 🍂 (@Math_Boi) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/crystallinek9/status/1081300205750927369
https://twitter.com/neonseascapes/status/1081493056615006208
https://twitter.com/_caseyvalentine/status/1081337282756526085
I'm really here for all you beebs in this hashtag, especially all the goth, spooky beebs like 👀 wow you're really out here 🖤
— 🍓🥞 froot cake 🍏🍰 (@synystertill) January 3, 2019
I usually don't hop on these tags, but I just came out to my dad, so I'm feeling ✨bold✨ (they/them)#TransLooksLikeThis pic.twitter.com/B06vJtNcql
And a trans family shared a photo with their babies, giving us hope for the future.
#TransLooksLikeThis happy and loving family pic.twitter.com/A9QsJ3k1nn
— mys. sylverfyre (@sylverfyreValk) January 4, 2019
The hashtag comes in a week of trans visibility on a national scale, with Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-Virg.) putting up the trans flag outside her office within hours of being sworn into Congress.
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