Chapter Text
The best way to write trans and non-binary characters is to unlearn your own bias about gender. As the author, your understanding of gender will show up in subtle ways throughout your writing.
There is nothing wrong with valuing gender. Gender can help us sort ourselves, find people with similar experiences, and create a sense of community. At the same time, we have a responsibility to question gender and the role it plays in our lives.
So here are just a few questions to ask yourself to think about gender and build empathy:
Why are you writing this? Having a clear idea of the purpose for this piece of writing will help direct your choices.
What would it be like for everyone around you to constantly get an important fact about you wrong? How would you feel if people gave you a random name, and never used your real name? Or assumed you were from a different country? How would this affect how you interact with people? Trust people?
How do other people know you are a man/woman?
How would you feel if you were never invited to a “girls night” or “out with the boys” because people assumed you wouldn’t want to go or have anything in common? What would it be like to finally be invited?
What purpose does gender serve in your life? (Does it help you make friends, sort yourself, give you a sense of community or power, hold you back? )
What do you like about your gender? Dislike?
How did you learn about gender? When?
Is gender important to you? Why?