Video: https://youtu.be/xn3NqnP3JS4
I talked with one of my trans friends a while back about making this, and we’re just now finally getting around to it.
Hello and welcome to Vlogmas day four! I planned to upload this during Trans Awareness Week, but obviously that didn’t happen. I still wanted to make it happen, so this is what my post will be for today.
I want to talk about what it’s like being deaf and trans, what that intersection looks like. I don’t have the experiences that most trans people do, so I want to bring in others to talk about their experiences. Thus, this probably won’t be the last time I do this. I think this may even become a mini-series, kind of? We’ll see. Today will be with Eric, talking about their experiences and all of that. So, Eric, tell us about you.
Eric: Hi. My name is Eric, I’m trans and I’m also genderfluid. I identify as masculine, feminine, in between, it varies depending on day, time, and mood. I’m also bi.
Rogan: What does trans mean to you?
E: The word trans means a lot of different things to me. It can mean anything from a person that’s transitioning. Or someone that identifies as a different gender than what they were assigned at birth. For me, trans means that I don’t identify with what I was assigned at birth, and that sometimes I identify as something else.
R: You identify yourself as genderfluid, but also trans. Why?
E: I’m genderfluid, but also I consider myself trans. Because I’m transitioning. I’m using hormones, testosterone, also I’m planning on surgery. Why? Because I feel more comfortable as a masculine identity, than a feminine one all the time. So I want to transition to the more masc side of my identity.
R: Being deaf and trans, what’s that like?
E: What is it like being deaf AND trans? (pause) Difficult. Each has their own challenges, but combined, it’s a lot more difficult to explain my identity to other people. I have to try and gesture, write, explain through text. Really, explaining is my biggest challenge being deaf and trans.
R: What’s the number one thing you wish people knew or thought about trans people?
E: The one biggest thing I wish trans people could spread to cis people… Pronoun respect, please. Always ask pronouns, doesn’t matter who. Doesn’t matter if you assume male, female, or other. Please ask which they prefer, even if they’re a cis or trans person.
R: Anything else to add?
E: One other thing I want to add. I explained my transition, yes. But honestly, it’s kind of rude to ask about why, what, how people are transitioning, because that’s their journey. They want to explore themself, that’s fine. Let them. Don’t interrogate them, unless they say and explain I’m doing this and this. Then yeah, ask about specifics, that’s fine. But interrogating them… It’s kind of rude.
R: Thank you for joining me today Eric. For my audience, do you have any questions? Or if you want to add your own story, go ahead and leave them in the comments. Thanks for joining us today.
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