WEBVTT 00:00:00.382 --> 00:00:02.609 So what is gender dysphoria? 00:00:02.609 --> 00:00:03.760 Where does it come from? 00:00:03.760 --> 00:00:06.581 And what is it actually like to experience gender dysphoria? NOTE Paragraph 00:00:06.581 --> 00:00:08.088 I'm Stephan, I'm a trans man, 00:00:08.088 --> 00:00:11.280 and I'm here to talk to you today about everything gender dysphoria. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:11.280 --> 00:00:13.591 [Gender dysphoria] NOTE Paragraph 00:00:13.591 --> 00:00:15.889 Dysphoria comes from the Greek word "δυσφορία," 00:00:15.889 --> 00:00:18.470 which means a state of discomfort or unease. 00:00:18.470 --> 00:00:20.960 Gender dysphoria is when a person feels distress 00:00:20.960 --> 00:00:22.339 because their gender identity 00:00:22.339 --> 00:00:25.239 does not match up with the gender they were assigned at birth. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:25.239 --> 00:00:27.144 There are three main kinds of dysphoria: 00:00:27.144 --> 00:00:29.900 physical dysphoria, social dysphoria, and mental dysphoria. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:30.120 --> 00:00:32.880 Physical dysphoria is one that transfers and feels distress 00:00:32.880 --> 00:00:35.979 because that body doesn't match up with the gender they truly are. 00:00:35.979 --> 00:00:38.840 For example, trans men often have dysphoria about our chests. 00:00:38.840 --> 00:00:42.460 This is because this physical trait doesn't align with our true male genders, 00:00:42.460 --> 00:00:44.890 and this can cause us to feel discomfort and stress. 00:00:44.890 --> 00:00:46.889 We can fix that by having top surgery, 00:00:46.889 --> 00:00:49.170 which is a procedure that removes breast tissue 00:00:49.170 --> 00:00:51.269 and creates a more masculine appearing chest. NOTE Paragraph 00:00:51.700 --> 00:00:54.370 The second type of dysphoria is social dysphoria. 00:00:54.370 --> 00:00:57.510 This is when a trans person feels distress in social situations 00:00:57.510 --> 00:00:58.984 because it might be misgendered 00:00:58.984 --> 00:01:01.513 or mistaken for the gender they were assigned at birth 00:01:01.513 --> 00:01:02.947 rather than their true gender. 00:01:03.094 --> 00:01:05.809 This is made worse when other people don't make the effort 00:01:05.809 --> 00:01:08.150 to use a trans person's correct name and pronouns. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:08.150 --> 00:01:10.150 Being referred to with the correct pronouns 00:01:10.150 --> 00:01:11.150 is a great feeling 00:01:11.150 --> 00:01:13.960 because it shows you recognize as how you feel on the inside 00:01:13.960 --> 00:01:15.150 by people on the outside. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:15.150 --> 00:01:17.630 When someone uses your old name is called deadnaming, 00:01:17.630 --> 00:01:19.630 and it can feel horrible as a trans person. 00:01:19.840 --> 00:01:22.947 Deadnaming makes social dysphoria even worse for trans people. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:23.150 --> 00:01:26.677 Lastly, we have mental dysphoria, also called emotional dysphoria. 00:01:27.069 --> 00:01:29.210 This is when a trans person feels too stressed 00:01:29.210 --> 00:01:31.259 because of their worries about transitioning 00:01:31.259 --> 00:01:34.309 and the disconnect between their true gender and assigned gender. 00:01:34.309 --> 00:01:36.690 This can be the hardest kind of dysphoria to escape 00:01:36.690 --> 00:01:39.500 because it's something that's always lingering in your mind. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:39.500 --> 00:01:42.550 Trans people can be badly affected by dysphoria mentally as well. 00:01:42.550 --> 00:01:45.670 If left untreated, dysphoria can loop to social isolation, 00:01:45.670 --> 00:01:46.690 poor mental health, 00:01:46.690 --> 00:01:49.558 and in some cases, self-harm and suicide. NOTE Paragraph 00:01:49.910 --> 00:01:52.329 One way trans people help lessen their dysphoria 00:01:52.329 --> 00:01:55.279 is by altering their appearance to reflect their true gender. 00:01:55.279 --> 00:01:57.180 This can be done by changing their hair, 00:01:57.180 --> 00:01:58.929 wearing more gendered clothes, 00:01:58.929 --> 00:02:00.779 or binding or padding their chests. 00:02:00.779 --> 00:02:04.400 Gender dysphoria can also be alleviated by medically transitioning. 00:02:04.400 --> 00:02:07.989 This includes taking hormones and having gender-reaffirming surgeries 00:02:07.989 --> 00:02:10.317 to make our bodies match our gender identities. 00:02:10.317 --> 00:02:12.700 Not all trans people have surgery or take hormones. 00:02:12.930 --> 00:02:16.110 It's not a required part of being transgender or non-binary. NOTE Paragraph 00:02:16.520 --> 00:02:19.154 If you or someone you know is struggling with dysphoria, 00:02:19.154 --> 00:02:21.010 check the link in the description below 00:02:21.010 --> 00:02:22.485 to find a list of organizations 00:02:22.485 --> 00:02:23.490 that can help.