Unintentional Discrimination vs. Transphobia

http://blogs.montrealgazette.com/2012/06/14/unintentional-discrimination-vs-transphobia/
6/14/12
Jillian Page

Earlier today, I talked about how I was heartened by what appears to be growing acceptance of LGB&T people, and a "shrinking minority" of bigots. I'd like to continue on the theme of discrimination . . .

I've also stated that not every act of discrimination against trans people is rooted in transphobia. Sometimes it is just plain old ignorance.

Case in point: Some time ago, our newsroom had some people come in from another newspaper to train us to use some new software. One day, one of my male colleagues who has been having a problem (and still has problems) with pronouns referred to me as "he" several times to one of the aforementioned trainers. I was frustrated by it, and took the trainer — a woman — aside afterward and explained to her that I am a woman who has transitioned. She told me she already knew, that somebody had told her when she arrived.