I agree that it is nice to have a potential Prime Minister speak in a way that doesn’t dehumanise trans people - but it is depressing that that is the bar to clear at this stage. However, I think it comes down to what he does in office - polite transphobia is still transphobia - and perhaps even more insidious than overt transphobia, to be honest. In recent days, Labour have been positing positions in terms of health that mirror exactly what the Conservatives were proposing in terms of treating trans patients in separate rooms (they actually arguably go one further in the sense that the Conservative’s proposal is framed as being subject to request by another patient).
I also get the principle of bringing everyone into the tent but the problem there is that the most hardened transphobes are beyond the point of compromise - they will not be happy until trans people essentially do not exist, in the same way that anti immigration bigots won’t be happy until they see zero black and brown faces on the street or on our screens. There is no point trying to appease these people because their ultimate barometer of you having succeeded is impossible to deliver. Rowling is attacking Starmer in the media only today despite his efforts to appease the TERFs.
I do agree that you shouldn’t jump on people dipping their toe into the pool of transphobia - I think people are right in the sense that it is likely to radicalise them. I think it is also easy to fall into the trap of “oh, they are all as bad as each other!” when you look at both sides of the so-called ‘trans debate.’ As frustrating and annoying as I find some on my side of the argument to be, it is worth remembering that one side is a group fighting for their rights and ability to participate in public life, and the other is a group opposing that, some to the point of grotesque obsession.
I must say - i’ve found some of the response to this in this thread a bit surprising. I don’t think anyone here would be applauding a sensible ‘both sides’ response on gay rights, or the rights of racial minorities.
I'm basically in agreement. Please don't assume I'm trying to both-sides-ify it or turn on anyone, I will always be on the side of protecting those I care about and a good handful of them (comes with furry, brony and VR territories) are trans. In essence I'm thinking out loud, whether the thoughts are pretty or ugly, but they're not conclusions - they're thoughts. To be honest I think the only conclusion I'll ever come to is my own death (I don't intend it to be any time soon)
Thing is I do think bringing people together is a good thing. Totally understand that one side is fighting for the right to exist and the other against it which is why I'm on the former side. But god, I dunno, so much of "wahhh they'll take our bathrooms" and other shite is created from fear. I'd love for some particularly on the fence region to actually meet and have a real face to face, calm discussion with actual real life trans people (not the bogeypeople they imagined) and hopefully realise the kind and gentle human beings they're dealing with. That means no one shouting personal attacks at each other, from either side. It might.. honestly.. mean not shouting TERF at anyone who seems worried about women's changing rooms, not at first. (Shout it at Rowling all you like, she's too far gone)
I'm sorry if it's disappointing or seems like a betrayal but in my heart it's not, it's completely on your side and wanting to be productive.
On the gay side maybe I would indeed say similar. I have an extremely religious friend. When I said I was bi and got a boyfriend, he was respectful and happy for me... and also felt duty bound to say he's worried about me because in his world (psst, sadly a bit brainwashed, but also strongly autistic which I make a lot of passes for him out of) it's something the creator frowns upon. Because he cares about me and doesn't want to see me burning. I don't know, some would RAGE at that, I was just glad to be cared about. I told him not to worry, I don't believe the same thing he does and as far as I'm concerned I'll be fine. Thank you very much but my beliefs are different.
He said "okay I just had to say that once I'll not being it up again", he didn't, and we're still good friends.