Lesbians Reacting to Elliot Page's Transition Is a Reflection of Broader Issues in the Community, and It's Time to Address It

The LGBTQIA+ community is not free from the issues of racism and sexism; homophobia and transphobia are prevalent even within marginalized groups. Just because someone identifies as queer does not mean they automatically embody the qualities of a decent human being. Sexuality and gender identity, while often lumped together under the same “inclusive” umbrella, can lead to heated debates about which rights should hold more weight and whose identities deserve greater respect. To put it bluntly, every family has that one problematic relative, and in the queer community, this might manifest as a lesbian who fails to support transgender individuals, erroneously believing that their identity somehow revolves around her.

When Elliot Page came out as transgender and announced he uses he/they pronouns, some lesbians were enraged. Take a moment to reflect before expressing your outrage, please.

For those of us who are not white, cisgender, and straight, finding representation in media can be incredibly challenging. That’s why when public figures come out as gay or transgender, it feels like a triumph; it validates our existence, even if only through someone else’s story. Representation normalizes diverse identities, making it easier for queer individuals to validate their own lives. Elliot Page has long been an exemplar of this representation, beloved as both an actor and an activist. When he identified as a woman in a relationship with another woman, many lesbians saw him as part of their community. However, when he transitioned, some felt betrayed, as though he had discarded the lesbian label and turned his back on them.

This conflict isn’t new within the cisgender lesbian community; it often arises between transmasculine individuals and those who identify as bisexual. Some lesbians feel a sense of loss when someone transitions away from a female identity or when a woman who identifies as gay becomes involved with a man. I’ve witnessed this firsthand, and the root of this sentiment often lies in the belief that transitioning to a more masculine identity equates to gaining male privilege and benefiting from patriarchal structures that already disadvantage women, particularly queer women. The reality is that both a woman who passes as straight and a transgender man who passes as a cisgender man may enjoy certain privileges. However, it’s crucial to understand that no one’s identity should ever be dictated by someone else’s perceptions. It’s never a transgender person’s responsibility to conform to any particular gender, although doing so can sometimes lead to greater safety.

Elliot Page, along with others who have transitioned, remains a vital role model. The true loss here is the respect I have for those in my community who exhibit transphobia rather than celebrating someone’s authentic journey to happiness. Cisgender lesbians who express sadness, anger, or disappointment when someone relinquishes their female identity for masculine or gender-neutral pronouns are exhibiting transphobia and hypocrisy. Mourning the loss of Page’s female identity is as misguided as a parent lamenting their child’s coming out as queer. Page, like all transgender individuals, is on a deeply personal path, and it’s a privilege to witness his story. Those lesbians upset by his transition should reconsider their stance. Their attitudes mirror the sentiments of gay men who refuse to date transgender men because they fail to recognize them as “real” men, as if biology alone dictates authenticity.

Lesbians expressing discontent over transmasculine identities resemble TERFs (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminists), who argue that transgender women pose a threat to cisgender women due to their rigid belief in biological sex as the sole determinant of gender. Science contradicts this notion, yet TERFs use the term “gender critical” to justify their exclusionary views that aim to “protect” cisgender women in private spaces. These TERFs claim their womanhood is under siege by transgender women, mistakenly believing that having a uterus is a prerequisite for female pronouns.

While jokes about someone changing teams can be harmless, serious animosity should never arise when someone shifts their identity. First of all, if the sentiment is merely disappointment over a lost romantic opportunity with Page, what basis do these lesbians have to think they ever had a chance with him? And if they did, would they cling so tightly to their lesbian identity that they would dismiss Page or any other transmasculine individual? This complexity of intersecting sexualities and gender identities is convoluted, and it’s narrow-minded for some lesbians to presume they know what is best for all. Additionally, Page has every right to identify as a lesbian; the term is not owned by cisgender women alone. Numerous transmasculine and nonbinary individuals identify as lesbians, and all deserve respect.

Fortunately, despite the disagreements within our community, the majority of us are willing to embrace all our queer family members and celebrate their coming-out journeys.

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Summary:

The reaction of some lesbians to Elliot Page’s transition highlights deeper issues of transphobia and identity within the LGBTQIA+ community. While representation is crucial for marginalized groups, not all individuals within these groups embrace inclusivity. Page’s journey should be celebrated, not mourned, and the attitudes of those who reject trans identities reveal a troubling hypocrisy. It’s essential to recognize that every identity deserves respect, and the majority of the queer community supports and celebrates diversity.