How to talk (and listen) to transgender people | Jackson Bird

Gender should be the least remarkable thing about someone, but transgender people are still too often misunderstood. To help those who are scared to ask questions or nervous about saying the wrong thing, Jackson Bird shares a few ways to think about trans issues. And in this funny, frank talk, he clears up a few misconceptions about pronouns, transitioning, bathrooms and more.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more.

[hannahhinderman]

Me: Ha ha ha, that was a good joke!😂
People in the crowd: (cricket chirping)

[Kabodanki]

You have to talk with them like any other people.

[LabRat]

Comments are going to be a gold mine, let's go see.

[Nikanaiko]

This comment section and the like/dislike ratio is why this TED Talk had to exist. [It's not even a normal length, guys. It's short. You guys can listen to six minutes of a representative asking for basic human decency for an entire group of people.]

[Vanderbats]

**rubs hands** let's see who's attacking me today **scrolls to comments**

[lifeofaxel]

*Step one to meeting a trans person*
-Say hi.

[EatinBubsy]

"I JUST TALK TO THEM THE SAME WAY I DO EVERYONE"
You clearly
have not
watched
the video.

[dapeople]

I genuinely like this video. It was nice to have it all explained to me without constant usage of the phrase privilege and what not. It helped me see a little bit into the struggles of a transgender person. Idk why a lot of people are having problems with this video. It was both funny, educational, and there wasn’t anything in there that could be considered triggering.

[espritpastequien]

This video has more dislikes than likes?! How is it possible?
Keep going Jack, your talk was amazing!

[OnlyJustJess]

I don't understand the comment section at all. Yes, the point of this talk is 'treat people like people'. Yes, it's not necessarily a new topic or providing new ideas. Yes, he is young but Jackson Bird has gone through some experiences that we can all learn from. He has experienced how people treat transpeople and has noticed that there is an issue around communication with trans gender people. Jackson is just trying to further the conversation of equality and human dignity. People commenting that he is 'too young' and therefore inexperienced or 'making a problem from nothing', is absolutely frustrating. Just because you are not experienced in this issue or care about it, does not mean it isn't important. Different perspectives is what Ted thrives on, yes he is young but his ideas and opinions still have merit and consequently further the conversation on global human right issues.

[billysmith]

I'm a former die hard christian who held some bigoted views. Now, I'm an atheist and I'm trying to understand the topics I once looked down upon. I find transgender individuals awkward to be around but that's because of me and my current ignorance. Thank you for talking about this and helping me figure out how to be less awkward.

[samann]

don't know why this video is rated low. i thought this video was good, educational & helpful.

[joshuamorrison]

I'm an older hetero guy and I admit that Its not so easy to change what you believe about gender. I have always treated people as individuals and try not to prejudge anyone based on gender differences, race, religion etc. I thought your talk was outstanding and I can certainly abide by everything you said.

[Lucailey]

My church has a very simple solution. I dont even know if it was due to transgender bathrooms or just common sense. We just have two bathrooms that are just bathrooms. If one is full, you use the other. None are marked Men or women. If a church can be that forward, why can't other stores and stuff simply have gender neutral bathrooms. I mean the bathrooms in our homes are already that way....so....what is the big deal in making all public bathrooms that way. When asked about the issue, i say one can usually tell if someone is faking it. A man in a wig walking into the ladies room and who isn't a lady is most likely going to notice and people will keep themself safe. But, if I see a transwoman enter the bathroom and i can clearly see she is doing her best to present herself as a girl i won't be scared. I will assume she is in the right place and both of us can pee in peace. If I see a transman who is clearly trying to look manly and reflect their outer immage as a man i am going to be freaked out to see him in the ladies room. If we keep one thing clear we can make simple easy decisions about this, gender is not between the legs, it is between the ears.

[GabrielSilva-hvml]

Great video! Too bad people are too busy vomiting hate to even watch it and hear it is exactly about treating everyone with the same respect and equality. By the way, these words (respect, equality, peace) should be the core of all human relations - but, unfortunately, people are ready to throw stones at you when you speak in favor of these concepts... Congrats TED and Jack for standing up anyway and creating this content!

[timothyriver]

So many people here that won't even spend six ish minutes learning how to be kind. Try a new thing. Learn from pple different than you. Stop acting like you know everything.

[imprint]

Ya boi did a ted talkkkk omgg soo prouddd

[katrinaj.]

sometimes I forget that this video exists and then I remember and come back to watch it

[ChristopherProuse]

To all the people saying "just talk to them like any other person", that's wonderful... but it's not the problem. The real problem is most people don't talk with them like they're any other person (and most trans people don't even disclose that they're trans to begin with either). So until most people DO actually talk to them like any other person, there's still a tremendous amount of discrimination.

[lefthandersrule]

He's such a lovely person. What a great man.