Bias tracks gender

1 min read · June 6, 2025
New Power Labs

Research by Schilt and Wiswall found: transgender men tend to earn slightly more after transitioning, while transgender women see their earnings drop by nearly a third.

Even with the same skills, network, and experience, when identity shifts, female-presenting workers experience a loss of authority and opportunity to progress. 

Ben Barres, a neurobiology professor at Stanford who transitioned from female to male, constantly faced doubts about his competence before his transition. After his transition, audiences praised his work, telling him that his research was much better than that of “his sister.” The sister was him.

Gender bias is not based on a lack of skills or experience, but on perception. Trans women face discrimination similar to cis women, compounded by bias against transgender people. Even while trans men gain a slight income boost after transition, the penalty of being trans offsets this increase. 

Bias doesn’t track merit, it tracks identity.

Narinder

New Power Labs

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