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.
transcum are wild, they say you need dysphoria to be trans but the moment you explain you have dysphoria but can't afford testosterone for various health or money related issues they say you're trender. Just say you want people to fit your narrow idea of gender
— walk until your legs break (@3mova) January 5, 2019
#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
#TransLooksLikeThis im a trans man whether im masc-ed up or my face is beat. die mad about it 🔪 pic.twitter.com/YdUra5onzd
— ✖️⛓ E R I K ⛓✖️ (@bikenesmith) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/airsignclub/status/1080880052919771136
https://twitter.com/bookjinni/status/1080740413542150146
The idea being trans or gnc means u gotta look one way is absolutely ridiculous. But it makes me happy to see that people are fighting against that idea and are showing that we all walk different paths and that’s okay! I’m Kaye and I’m agender. They/Them!#TransLooksLikeThis pic.twitter.com/y1rE3wPoX9
— WTF GAY LITTLE DOG?? (@Werewoozi) January 3, 2019
#translookslikethis aka me being me. Non-binary and proud pic.twitter.com/kRqFc9e5tc
— Chico Lindo (@MalditoChulitx) January 5, 2019
https://twitter.com/princesa_mp3/status/1081069245084004352
https://twitter.com/tiny_starpuff/status/1081334257958694918
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
#TransLooksLikeThis ok I'm old af, and only been out for a year… but this trans nonbinary person is loving the hashtag so I have to join in! 🌈😘🎨🌈 pic.twitter.com/gKMgpeNcIG
— 🌸💀 MxDEADC0DE 💀🌸 (@mxcodediva) January 3, 2019
#TransLooksLikeThis not every transgirl in the world can afford e (and not every trans person wants hormone reassignment)
I hate the thin facial hair I have but posting this pic is important to me pic.twitter.com/R7KpodBHXn
— Cara The Sim (@CaraThe5imian) January 3, 2019
#TransLooksLikeThis surprise! There are fat trans people, and we don’t need your Eurocentric and toxic body standards to exist! Also, just cause I’m super femme doesn’t mean I’m binary!!! Support trans NB femmes and folks pls☺️ she/they pic.twitter.com/h2wBrl16Zc
— Biological Hottie👅 (@ScissorCisters) January 3, 2019
https://twitter.com/thecrosseyes/status/1080912732763783168
#TransLooksLikeThis: AC (they/them), 28, trans non-binary, Filipino-American, they/them pronouns. 5’2”. Brown. Gender euphoric. Butch to Andro to Femme depending on the day. Gender is not a 2D spectrum, it’s a galaxy and I love this hashtag. pic.twitter.com/4WItn9PYe3
— CALL ME THEY | Mx. AC Dumlao (@mxacdumlao) January 3, 2019
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
#TransLooksLikeThis I'm somewhere between nb and agender when I was younger I struggled with my identity and felt much more comfortable learning non binary was a thing as I did not feel like a boy or a girl pic.twitter.com/U9CErTg53G
— Miko (@MothsTeeth) January 4, 2019
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 🖤
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
— 🔥 Lil Twink X ✨ (@synystertill) January 3, 2019
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
— 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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