Is Bershan Shaw Transgender?
Bershan Shaw is a one-woman powerhouse who will be appearing on this season of The Real Housewives of New York City. She is a business coach and motivational speaker.
She created her signature Warrior Method after being told she had three months to live from breast cancer. She works with CEOs, managers and executive leaders to help them improve their teams and bottom lines.
What is transgender?
When we speak of transgender, what we mean is a person who has a gender identity (the internal understanding of your own gender) that doesn’t match their sex at birth. They may identify as gender queer, agender or nonbinary.
Gender dysphoria is a common experience for many transgender people. This is a feeling that your gender does not match important aspects of your body or your identity, such as your genitals or voice.
While it’s not a mental illness, it can be distressing and debilitating to live with. Stigma, harassment and discrimination continue to prevent trans people from accessing the services they need to live healthy lives.
The healthcare system is failing to meet the needs of the trans community, with 22% of trans adults and 32% of trans adults of color unable to afford health insurance. In addition, many trans people experience violence disproportionate to the average person, including sexual assault and intimate partner violence.
How do I know if I’m transgender?
If your gender identity is different than the male or female sex assigned at birth, you may be transgender. Gender identity is an inner sense of self, and it can be expressed as a man, woman, agender, nonbinary or another identity.
A person can transition, or change their gender, at any point in their lives. They do this to make their life more consistent with their gender identity. They can do this by changing their name, appearance and pronouns (like she/her, he/him, or they/them), or by using medical affirmation like hormone therapy.
Many people transition for health reasons, but they also do it to improve their lives and the lives of others. For example, it can help them access emergency services or other public services that are important to them.
If you’re not sure if you’re transgender, talk with someone who does. They can help you decide if it’s safe for you to talk about your identity and whether it’s something you want to share with others.
How do I know if my partner is transgender?
Having a relationship with a transgender person can be challenging for anyone. Whether you have been together for a long time or it’s a new relationship, it can be overwhelming to find out your partner is transgender.
It’s normal to feel confused, worried, sad or excited when your partner comes out as transgender – but it’s also important not to take these feelings out on them. Instead, allow yourself a bit of time to process this news.
The best way to get a good understanding of your partner’s gender identity is to talk to them about what they are thinking and feeling. This conversation can help you understand your partner better and support them through this exciting journey of affirmation.
If your partner is considering a genital surgery, let them know you are willing to support their decision as they navigate this life change. This could include helping them find the right support, if needed.
How do I know if my child is transgender?
If your child is expressing discomfort with their assigned gender, indicating a desire to be the opposite gender or demanding clothes that are typically associated with the opposite gender, they may be transgender.
If a child is displaying these traits, parents need to support them in their gender identity and expression, says Levi Stolove, a licensed master social worker and staff therapist at the Institute for Human Identity, the longest-running LGBTQ+-affirmative therapy center in the U.S. Research after research shows parental support of trans and nonbinary children is the best predictor of their psychological well-being as adults, he notes.
Parents can watch for verbal cues to identify a child who is questioning their gender, recommends developmental psychologist Diane Ehrensaft. She suggests paying attention to subtle verbal cues such as a girl child saying they do not like wearing dresses, or a boy showing interest in pink and lilac colours.
