Breaking Down the Stereotypes About Trans Women: My Truth

Breaking Down the Stereotypes About Trans Women: My Truth

By: Marie Seshat Landry

As a trans woman, I've faced more than my fair share of stereotypes. These limiting and often harmful assumptions can weigh heavily on people like me, creating unnecessary barriers. But it's time to dismantle them, one by one. I am a trans woman, bisexual with a preference for women, and I refuse to let these outdated ideas define me—or anyone else.

Let's break them down.

Stereotype 1: "Trans Women Are Just Men in Dresses"

This is one of the most harmful and reductive stereotypes. It assumes that my gender identity is just an act or a phase, implying that my experience as a woman is somehow invalid or superficial. But my identity is not tied to the clothes I wear or some temporary desire to "become" something else. I am a woman. My gender is deeply rooted in my sense of self, my lived experience, and my connection to who I truly am. Reducing it to something as shallow as clothing completely ignores the reality of gender dysphoria, the emotional and psychological journey of transitioning, and the authenticity that comes with embracing my true self.

Stereotype 2: "Trans Women Are Confused About Their Sexuality"

People often assume that because I am transgender, my sexual orientation is part of that confusion. Being bisexual, with a preference for women, seems to confuse some people further. But let's clear this up: gender identity and sexual orientation are two completely different things. My being a trans woman is about who I am, and my sexual orientation is about who I am attracted to. My preference for women has nothing to do with my gender identity, and being bisexual doesn't make me any more "confused" than anyone else. Sexuality is fluid for many people—trans or not.

Stereotype 3: "Trans Women Aren't 'Real' Women"

This is probably the most common and hurtful stereotype I hear. Some people claim that trans women aren't "real" women because we weren't assigned female at birth. But womanhood isn't defined solely by biology. It's an identity, an experience, a way of being that transcends anatomy. I am a woman because I live as one, I experience the world as one, and I identify as one. Denying my womanhood is denying my existence. To call me "less than" is an insult to the complex and nuanced ways gender works in society. Being trans doesn't make me any less of a woman; it only adds to the richness of my experience.

Stereotype 4: "Trans Women Are Hyper-Sexualized"

This stereotype frustrates me deeply. It's the assumption that trans women are fetishized objects, existing solely for others' sexual fantasies. This myth stems from harmful media portrayals and pornographic depictions that reduce trans women to objects of desire rather than full, complex human beings. My identity is not for someone else's consumption. I am more than just my body. I have a mind, a heart, ambitions, and feelings. Trans women, like all women, are multi-dimensional people whose worth goes far beyond their physical appearance.

Stereotype 5: "Trans Women Transition to 'Trick' Others"

The idea that trans women transition to deceive others, especially in dating and relationships, is not only absurd but also deeply harmful. The truth is that transitioning is one of the hardest, most personal decisions a person can make. It requires emotional courage, social risk, and, for many of us, a long and often painful journey of self-discovery. The idea that I, or any other trans woman, would go through all of that just to "trick" someone is ridiculous. I live authentically because it's the only way I can truly be happy and at peace with myself—not to play games with others' perceptions.

Stereotype 6: "Trans Women Are All the Same"

This stereotype assumes that trans women are a monolith, that we all look the same, act the same, and want the same things. But like cisgender women, trans women are as diverse as any other group of people. Some of us are tall, some short, some like makeup and dresses, others prefer more casual styles. Some of us have had surgeries, some have not. Some of us are straight, others are bisexual, and some are lesbians. My being trans is just one part of who I am. I am also an entrepreneur, a scientist, a martial artist, and so much more. Reducing me to my gender ignores the fullness of my personhood.

Stereotype 7: "Trans Women Can't Have Healthy Relationships"

This one cuts deeply, especially as someone who is bisexual and has a preference for women. There's a belief that trans women can't form stable, loving relationships because of our gender identity. This stereotype is rooted in the idea that being trans makes us "too complicated" or "too different" to be loved. The truth is that trans women, like everyone else, are capable of love, vulnerability, and intimacy. We deserve relationships based on mutual respect, trust, and affection—just like anyone else. I've had fulfilling relationships, and I know that love doesn't hinge on something as surface-level as gender identity. It's about connection.

Conclusion: Trans Women Are Whole, Complex, and Valid

Every stereotype I've listed here is born from ignorance, misunderstanding, and a lack of compassion. But the reality of trans women's lives is far more complex and beautiful than these shallow assumptions. We are daughters, sisters, lovers, and friends. We have dreams, ambitions, and challenges, just like everyone else. To reduce us to stereotypes is to strip us of our humanity.

I am proud to be a trans woman, and I won't let society's misconceptions define me. I am more than just a label or an identity—I am a whole, vibrant person, and I deserve to live free from prejudice. If you take one thing from this post, let it be this: Trans women are women. Full stop. We deserve the same respect, love, and understanding as anyone else.

It's time we move past these stereotypes and see each other for who we truly are.

Marie Seshat Landry

CEO | Entrepreneur | Scientist | Advocate for Trans Rights

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**Marie Seshat Landry**
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