trans widow

See also: transwidow

English

Alternative forms

• transwidow

Noun

trans widow (plural trans widows)

1. (gender-critical slang) A cis woman who feels her marriage ended or is at risk of ending due to her spouse coming out as a trans woman.
   • 2012, Christine Benvenuto, Sex Changes: A Memoir of Marriage, Gender, and Moving On, unnumbered page:

     When I began my public life as a transwidow, I knew who knew by the curious or pitying stares we got.

   • 2021, Helen Joyce, Trans: When Ideology Meets Reality, unnumbered page:

     Tinsel now writes about trans widows for feminist websites, and publishes their stories online under pseudonyms.

   • 2021, Kathleen Stock, Material Girls: Why Reality Matters for Feminism, unnumbered page:

     What the experiences of 'trans widows' of late-transitioning trans women are actually like, and what their own political needs are.

   • For more quotations using this term, see Citations:trans widow.
2. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see trans,‎ widow; a widow who is transgender.
   • 2014 February 19, “Texas Appeals Court Rules in Favor of Trans Widow”, in Florida Agenda, page 9:
   • 2014 May 30, Anna Waugh, “Texas marriage cases stall in state, federal courts”, in Dallas Voice‎^[1], page 9:

     Trans widow Nikki Araguz won her battle in February to have her marriage recognized to her deceased husband.

   • 2021 July 31, Elaine O'Neill, “I’m a real trans widow – anyone saying their newly out trans partner is ‘dead’ disgusts me”, in Metro, UK:

     If Helen were around, I feel she would be annoyed that I’m not able to describe myself as a real ‘trans widow’ because the term has been captured hatefully by a group who regard announcing that you are trans means you have expired.

Usage notes

• The term is considered offensive to transgender people, as it likens the process of coming out to death and bereavement.

Translations

Translations

• French: veuve trans (fr)

References

• Henry Giardina (2021 June 21) “Please Stop Saying “Trans Widows””, in Into, retrieved 2024-08-26