Misgendering
Table of Contents
Introduction
Misgendering is something that can happen to anyone regardless of gender. Cisgender and transgender people both sometimes face this issue - though it is generally a more commonly experienced by transgender people. People who are gnc or androgynous (regardless of if this is their intended gender presentation) experience this more often than anyone else.
While misgendering is a common component of transphobia, it is not always done with malicious intent. It is often done accidentially. Context matters when trying to determine if misgendering has been done on purpose.
For more information regarding specific types of discrimination, please view the dropdown menus at the top of this page in the alphabet button menu. Clicking on underlined words/prases/etc throughout this page will lead you to other, relvant sections of The Transgender Dictionary. Clicking on links under the [External Links] section will lead you to other parts of the internet that are not afflilated with The Transgender Dictionary.
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General Information
Misgendering is when someone is gendered incorrectly. This can be done intentionally (when done by someone who knows the correct gender of the target) or unintentionally (when the target does not pass well enough for others to correctly interpret their gender). The most common way an individual can be misgendered is via the incorrect pronouns.
Other methods of misgendering include things such as being treated as the wrong gender role or being forced to wear a uniform intended for the wrong gender.
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Deadnaming
Most transgender people will choose a new name as a part of their social transition. The new name may be a masculine/feminine/genderless (depending on what direction the person is transitioning in) version of the previous name. The new name might be completely original. Some people ask their parents what they would have been named had they been born as their true gender when choosing a new name. The old/original name that is being discarded and replaced is known as a deadname (more common) or necronym (less common).
When aware of the new and accurate name of a transgender individual, it is considered disrespectful and transphobic to use said individual's deadname. Many transgender people will seek to change their name on official documentation as a part of the legal transition process to avoid having to continue hearing this inaccurate name.
Sometimes, however, some transgender people will request that their friends use their deadname in certain specific situations or in front of certain people. This is done for safety purposes to avoid being outed.
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External Links
The following links have been provided for entertainment, education, or further reading to encourage seeking out additional information. None of these links are sponsored, nor endorsed. The inclusion of an article/video/etc is not complete approval for its contents. The thoughts/views/opinions/etc of everything included below do not inherently represent those of The Transgender Dictionary.
Additional Resources
- Healthline: Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S & KC Clements: 09/18/2018: What Does It Mean to Misgender Someone? (https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/misgendering) - article explaining misgendering
- Healthline: KC Clements & Janet Brito, Ph.D., LCSW, CST-S: 09/18/2018: What Is Deadnaming? (https://www.healthline.com/health/transgender/deadnaming) - article explaining deadnaming
- PsycNet - A minority stress perspective on transgender individuals’ experiences with misgendering. (https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Fsah0000070) - McLemore, K. A. (2018). A minority stress perspective on transgender individuals’ experiences with misgendering. Stigma and Health, 3(1), 53–64. https://doi.org/10.1037/sah0000070
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