Yes, You Absolutely Need To Tell Someone You're Trans Before Dating | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
relationships

Yes, You Absolutely Need To Tell Someone You're Trans Before Dating

Honesty is always the best policy.

34316
Yes, You Absolutely Need To Tell Someone You're Trans Before Dating
Wikimedia Commons

Human sexuality is a very strange and complex thing. It's also very fickle. People can't help what they're attracted to, and by that logic, it shouldn't bother you that someone wouldn't be attracted to trans.

If you've read "No, I Don't Have To Tell You I'm Trans Before Dating You," then you've heard about the tragedy that is Jennifer Laude, a trans woman who was murdered after a man she hooked up with learned she was trans. Basically, she didn't tell him she was trans before the deed, and when he found out, he flipped out.

I will not and cannot justify murder.

I'm also not going to allow someone to justify sexual assault.

Informed consent means the person being asked for their consent knows exactly what they are consenting to. Even if the trans person isn't the initiator, they have an obligation to disclose information that could negate the initiator's consent.

Yes, you absolutely do need to tell someone that you are trans before dating them. File that under, "things decent human beings tell each other before they date."

The author, a trans woman, used a terrible tragedy and terrible murderer to make a terrible point: trans people can sexually assault other people because it's transphobic to not want to sleep with trans people and they don't have to accommodate your “transphobia" by telling you they're trans knowing damn well you may not be into sleeping with trans people.

See, I don't care what you want to do with your genitals as a trans person. If you want to invert your penis and remove your testicles, by all means, go for it. Call me selfish, but since it doesn't affect me, I don't care.

But when you say transgender people don't need to come out to their partners before entering a romantic relationship, and if I think otherwise then I'M the one with the problem? Well, now it does affect me.

Denying someone the ability to give informed consent is nothing short of sexual assault.

To add insult to injury, we're all transphobic just if we don't want to have sex with a trans person?

Also, are we talking post-op or pre-op? You mean to tell me that cis people can't be upset if ya pull down your drawers and something you're expecting isn't there? Or something you aren't expecting is? That is absurd.

Everyone is entitled to informed consent. Everyone is entitled to sovereignty over their own bodies. So why is it OK to deny cis people that very same right that allowed you to do what you chose to your body? Evil, privileged, cis people deserve to be treated with human decency, too.

The author's bold claim that “demanding trans people come out to potential partners is transphobic," is absolutely absurd. Trying to explain why that's wrong is trying to explain why water is wet. Yes, there's a reason why water is wet, but it's so basic that it's somewhat difficult to explain.

In what world is it ever OK to be deceptive in a romantic relationship? You should always tell someone if you're trans or what your sexuality is.

It's kinda important to respect others' sexuality.

Knowingly violating someone's sexuality is disgusting by every standard imaginable.

Let's take it a step further: if a trans person does not disclose that information before entering a physical relationship, there should be legal consequences. Deceiving another person into sleeping with you is rape. Knowingly violating someone else's sexuality for your pleasure is wrong.

If you know you possess some quality that might be a deal breaker for a large swath of people, you should 167% tell them before you do anything that might really hurt them.

Anecdotally, I've seen trans people speaking up and saying disclosure is a must.

Articles like this isolate the trans community. The justification of deception and sexual assault does nothing for the trans community, which is an already marginalized community that is actually subject to experience more sexual assault than their cis counterparts.

I believe the author of "No, I Don't Have To Tell You I'm Trans Before Dating You" owes a lot of people an apology.

She owes the trans community an apology for encouraging deceptive behavior. This article did nothing to promote the acceptance of transsexuality, it only further marginalized trans people by validating fears. Not all trans people want to be shady, selfish, deceptive creeps, you know?

She also owes all the cis people who don't feel comfortable dating a trans person an apology for incorrectly labeling the vast majority of us as "transphobic." You can't force love or acceptance through deception.

She also owes every survivor of sexual assault and apology.

Everyone is entitled to informed consent.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Does anybody know how to study
Gurl.com

It’s here; that time of year when college students turn into preschoolers again. We cry for our mothers, eat everything in sight, and whine when we don’t get our way. It’s finals, the dreaded time of the semester when we all realize we should have been paying attention in class instead of literally doing anything else but that. Everyone has to take them, and yes, unfortunately, they are inevitable. But just because they are here and inevitable does not mean they’re peaches and cream and full of rainbows. Surviving them is a must, and the following five phases are a reality for all majors from business to art, nursing to history.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition

10 ways to prepare for finals week—beginning with getting to the library.

2265
How To Prepare For The Library: Finals Edition
Photo by Clay Banks on Unsplash

It’s that time of year again when college students live at the library all week, cramming for tests that they should have started studying for last month. Preparing to spend all day at the library takes much consideration and planning. Use these tips to help get you through the week while spending an excessive amount of time in a building that no one wants to be in.

Keep Reading...Show less
girl roommates
StableDiffusion

Where do we begin when we start talking about our roommates? You practically spend every moment with them, they become your second family and they deal with you at your best and at your absolute worst. They are there to make you laugh just a little harder, cry a little less and make each day a little better. We often forget to thank them for the little things that they do to make college even a tiny bit easier and more fun. This list of 26 things are what you should thank your roommates for right this minute and every day that you live with them.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

20 Thoughts While Studying For Finals

I may or may not be stressing right now.

2589
Thoughts While Studying For Finals
StableDiffusion


That time of the semester has arrived once again, finals. The worst week ever. Who thought it was a good idea for all your classes to have exams all in the same week? Definitely not me. Here's 20 thoughts you may have studying for finals.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Disney magic for New Year!

The "Happiest Place on Earth" has a lot of characters with some pretty great advice.

7324
Disney magic kingdom castle on new years
StableDiffusion

Disney movies are well known and very popular in today's world. Although many people appreciate the plot and the storyline, not many people appreciate the wisdom these characters possess. Every Disney movie has unique advice that can be applied to everyday life. Here are 11 Disney quotes to help start your New Year off right:

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments