The LGTBIQ+ community has made significant progress in the last decade in Spain, achieving rights and visibility that not long ago seemed unattainable. However, in the midst of these victories, a question that often makes us uncomfortable arises, a necessary reflection that forces us to look beyond the optimistic headlines.: Why does it seem that society has accepted homosexuality more quickly and naturally than transsexuality?
It is not a question of hierarchies of oppression, but of analysis of the cultural and social mechanisms that operate in our understanding of diversity. Both realities are part of the vast spectrum of human existence, but their journey towards inclusion has been, and continues to be, notably different.
A look at the past: visibility and “normalization”
Homosexuality, although historically persecuted and stigmatized, began to gain ground in public conversation at the end of the 20th century. Activism, popular culture and, in Spain, the enactment of progressive laws such as the same-sex marriage in 2005, contributed to a kind of “normalization”. Homosexual couples became more visible in the media, in cinema, in everyday life.
This visibility, although still insufficient and often stereotyped, allowed a part of society to begin to understand homosexuality as an emotional and sexual orientation, a way of loving, and not as an illness or a deviation. The narrative focused on love, on family, on what “unites us”, blurring, for many people, the borders of what is “different.”
However, what about transsexual? Why hasn’t this same “normalization” occurred so smoothly?
The complexity of gender identity: beyond sexual orientation
Here lies one of the keys. While homosexuality refers to sexual orientation – who attracts you –, transsexuality refers to gender identity, that is, the internal and deep experience of being a man, a woman or a non-binary identity, which does not correspond to the sex assigned at birth.
For a society accustomed to a binary and static view of sex (man or woman, without nuances), understanding that gender identity is an internal and diverse construction is a major cognitive leap. It’s about deconstructing the idea that our body irrevocably defines our identity.
Think about it: how many times have you heard someone say “if you’re a man, you’re a man, and if you’re a woman, you’re a woman”? This rigidity in the conception of gender is a much higher wall than the openness to different ways of loving.
The role of pathologization and misinformation
For decades, transsexuality was classified as a mental disorder. Although the World Health Organization (WHO) depathologized it in 2019 by reclassifying it as “gender incongruence”, the associated stigma persists in the collective imagination. This pathologization contributed to a view of transsexuality as something “abnormal” or “disease”, generating fear and rejection.
Furthermore, misinformation is a crucial factor. The often sensational or erroneous narratives in certain media, the lack of positive references and the limited education on gender diversity in the educational field have left a void that is filled with prejudices and misunderstandings. How many people really understand what it means to be a trans person? Do they know the transition process, if there is one, and the realities it entails?
Fear of the “unknown” and deconstruction
Another element to consider is the fear of what is perceived as a deconstruction of what is established. Trans gender identity challenges long-held social norms about sex and gender, which can cause anxiety in those who cling to more traditional structures. It is feared that it will “erase” categories, that it will alter the understanding of masculinity and femininity.
This fear, often unconscious, translates into resistance to inclusion and the perpetuation of discourses that invalidate trans existence. Observe how the public debate around trans rights, especially with regard to gender self-determination, is considerably more heated and polarized than that which occurred at the time with equal marriage. Where are we going?
The importance of education and dialogue
The acceptance of transsexuality is an indicator of the level of maturity and openness of a society. It is not just about legal rights, which are fundamental, but about true social inclusion that encompasses respect and understanding.
To move forward, we need:
- More education: From an early age, at school and at home, about gender diversity, demystifying transsexuality and promoting respect.
- More positive visibility: In the media, culture and public space, showing the richness and normality of trans lives.
- Combat misinformation: Dismantle hoaxes and hate speech with rigorous, evidence-based information.
- Constructive dialogue: Create spaces where these realities can be talked about without prejudice, with empathy and a desire to understand.
The fight for the acceptance of homosexuality paved an important path, but that of transsexuality requires a new understanding and a renewed commitment to human diversity at its maximum expression. Are we ready to take this step with the same determination?
