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submitted 5 days ago by compostgoblin@piefed.blahaj.zone to c/trans

This is something I’ve noticed a lot among well-intentioned people who aren’t trans themselves. When talking about a trans person, especially in the context of talking about them before and after transitioning, they’ll use they/them instead of she/her or he/him, as the trans person in question goes by.

It always kind of rubs me the wrong way, because like, unless they want to go by they/them, it’s still misgendering, right?

But I also always kinda feel awkward correcting the speaker on someone else’s behalf, because maybe they do go by she/they or they/he, and I just don’t know. But it feels way more common that it’s someone who doesn’t feel comfortable using she/her for a trans woman, for example.

I don’t know. Am I overthinking this? How do y’all handle situations like that?

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[-] HairyTeeth@lemmy.zip 3 points 5 days ago

Why?

For one, that's a hell of a responsibility to give others, even well meaning others. I wouldn't want my friends to feel they had to speak on my behalf, nor would I do so on theirs. I'd say that's a healthy level of respect to have in a friendship.

But to a larger point: Why are you so concerned about conversations others may or may not be having about you?

Just to rephrase the point you just made: You're so worried that people who don't know you well enough to be sure of your preferred pronouns may be misgendering you with non-gendered pronouns, that you hope others will correct them on your behalf.

This is, at minimum, overthinking, and at worst a deeply unhealthy mindset to have.

The kindest thing I can say is that whether or not you consider this a problem, it's at least a rare one; nobody talks about you as much as you think. People's favourite topics of discussion are themselves, and the odds are this doesn't happen even a fraction as much as you think.

[-] Cass@piefed.blahaj.zone 5 points 5 days ago
[-] brookedSmile 2 points 4 days ago

Effin right? I feel like a large percentage of trans people deal with this exact problem. The fear of what others will think and say about you keeps many of us in the closet

this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2026
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