Pride month is a celebration of authenticity and overcoming adversity. It is important to acknowledge that although great strides toward diversity and inclusion have been made, there is still so much work to be done. Trans rights and gender-affirming healthcare are facing significant challenges throughout the country including deadnaming and misgendering. Pride is a great opportunity to raise awareness and work together to make positive change.
LGBTQ+ folks experience higher rates of mental health issues than the general population for numerous reasons: lack of acceptance by support systems and/or society, bullying and/or discrimination at work or school, physical threats to their safety, and negative stigma are some examples. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) reports there are approximately 490 anti-LGBTQ+ bills being proposed in the United States. The ACLU goes on to report, that while not all of these bills are expected to be passed into law, the proposal of anti-trans legislation encourages discriminatory behavior that creates barriers to necessary gender-affirming healthcare and is responsible for increased suicide and violence among gender-diverse people. Some of the best ways to break down these barriers are through education, acceptance, and advocacy.
Education: The Harmful Impact of Deadnaming and Misgendering
According to a recent study conducted by the Williams Institute at UCLA, 1.64 million people over the age of 13 identify as transgender. For someone who identifies as a gender that is different from the sex assigned at birth, changing their name is a powerful way to affirm their identity. Misgendering is when a person is referred to by a name and pronouns that do not reflect their gender identity. This can be harmful to their overall well-being. Deadnaming, whether done mistakenly or deliberately, is when a trans or non-binary person is referred to by a non-affirmed name by which they no longer identify. A dead name is usually the name used prior to transitioning or coming out.
Dealing with Deadnaming
Hearing one’s dead name or being misgendered can inflict feelings of anxiety, gender dysphoria, a lack of acceptance and, depending on the situation, can make one fearful for their safety. Dealing with deadnaming can lead to chronic stress from worrying about acceptance and/or safety, avoidance of certain people or places, depression, low self-worth, and suicidal ideation. Refusing or failing to use a person’s chosen name and pronouns can have a significant impact on personal relationships and family dynamics and causes invalidation that can have a negative effect on their mental health.
The Journal of Interpersonal Violence reports that 82% of transgender individuals have considered suicide and 40% have attempted, with suicidality the highest among gender-diverse youth. Considering the barriers to gender-affirming healthcare, these statistics are climbing at a rapid speed. So, what can we do to help?
Acceptance: Gender-Affirming Support
When individuals are not addressed by their affirmed name and pronouns, it can create a challenging dynamic and make gender-diverse individuals feel disrespected and unsafe. Sometimes people are trying to be supportive and respectful but are struggling to learn while others seem to be unwilling. This is an important distinction to make. Be mindful about putting in the effort and remember that mistakes happen. Acknowledge the error, apologize, correct it, and move on. Humility is the key.
How to Avoid Deadnaming
Some ways to avoid deadnaming might be to practice saying the person’s chosen name to yourself, being intentional about using their name, and asking to be corrected. It is important to remember to never ask someone to share their dead name with you, but never be afraid to ask someone their preferred name and pronouns. Never assume you know just by the way someone is dressed or presenting themselves.
Advocacy: Putting Pride into Practice
Changes to a person’s name and pronouns are powerful self-affirmations. Research has shown that affirming someone’s identity can make a significant difference in supporting their mental health and reduces symptoms of depression and suicidal ideation. Gender-affirming support should include consistent use of their chosen name and pronouns which is crucial to their psychological well-being. It is truly a life-saving practice.
If you or someone you love is suffering or in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24 hours a day at 1-800-273-8255 or text “HOME” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741. LGBTQ+ crisis support is offered through the Trans Lifeline, the only hotline operated by and for gender-diverse people, and can be reached at 1-877-565-8860. The Trevor Project also offers crisis support for the LGBTQ+ community at 1-866-488-7386 or text “START” to 678-678.
Gender-Affirming Support at Bright Harbor
If you or someone you know is struggling due to the effects of deadnaming or misgendering, Bright Harbor Healthcare is here. Our compassionate team is dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ population with competent, affirming care through the new LGBTQ+ mental health outpatient program, Oasis. For more information, please visit our website or call 732-575-1111. If you have any questions at all, reach out to Bright Harbor Healthcare today.
Written by Arielle Dymyd, LSW: Oasis Clinician