Are You Privileged?
Using public restrooms without fear of verbal abuse, physical intimidation or arrest.
Being able to walk through the world and generally blend in, not being constantly stared at because of your gender expression.
Using public facilities such as gym locker rooms and store changing rooms without stares, fear or anxiety.
Being able to receive medical care, including emergency medical care, without worrying that your gender will keep you from receiving the appropriate treatment.
Being able to feel like an affirmed and included member of the LGBTQ+ community.
Having multiple positive celebrity and/or TV role models who you personally identify with.
Being able to go shopping for clothes without hesitation or fear of being mocked, questioned, or made uncomfortable.
Raising children without worrying about state intervention.
Being able to feel unthreatened in your interactions with authority figures and police officers.
Having your gender identity recognized and validated by your family and extended family.
Having your gender identity recognized and validated by neighbours, colleagues, and new friends.
Being able to travel without worrying about your safety due to your gender expression, identity or sexuality.
Kissing/hugging/being affectionate in public without discomfort, threat, or punishment.
Freely being able to discuss your relationship(s) with others.
Having medical procedures that you deem essential covered by your insurance.
Having others legitimize your relationship(s) and comfort you when a relationship ends.
Being employed as a school teacher without people assuming you will "corrupt" their children.
Being able to go to a doctor visit and have the doctor understand your sexual orientation/gender identity and respond appropriately to questions regarding your sexual health.
Having new people assume and use your pronouns correctly.
Having legal documents that accurately represent who you are and how you identify.
Being comfortable around coworkers/friends/family to discuss relationships.
How privileged are you?
A privilege is a right or immunity granted as a peculiar benefit, advantage, or favour.
To the right, you will see 21 statements. This information is taken and adapted from a group exercise from @safegymtraining education on inclusion in the fitness space.
Based on your lived experience, read through those 21 statements. How many would you say are true for you? Comment below.
For me 20 of those 21 statements are true. I am very privileged.
I believe privilege can be useful when we acknowledge its existence and use it for good. To change the policies and systems that were designed to our benefit so that they can instead benefit everyone. With this hopefully, more people can say that more of those 21 statements are true to them.
