The Guardian has carried quite a few articles about transphobia lately. This, from Owen Jones, is one of the best.
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/oct/20/trans-t...
Transphobia And Social Change
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Comments
He's perfectly correct
when he suggests we have more trouble from radical feminists than bigots; though I suspect that is just another form of exclusionism which is what bigotry is, pointing out differences to exclude others. It's all regressive, whereas inclusiveness is progressive because it seeks to include people.
Unfortunately, humans are more governed by emotions than logic and politicians use this weakness all the time, preying on our fears or pandering to our greed. Enlightenment may come but a swing to the right and more tribalism is more likely given the rise of nationalism again. As Benjamin Franklin said, 'Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel.'
Angharad
Radical Feminists Are Missing The Point
As far as I can tell, recognising gender dysphoria as a genuine psychological condition threatens the agenda of some radical feminists, in that they believe all gendered behaviour to be learned - or imposed by their bête noire, the so-called patriarchy - and are unwilling to accept that there may be innate differences in male and female brains.
Whether or not this particular strand of feminism has the slightest credibility - in my view it doesn't - is beside the point. The debate ought not to be framed in these terms but should instead concern itself with the right of people to present themselves however they wish.
My city as a microcosm
It is doubtful to me that I am representative of trans folk, or that where I live is typical of all US cities. Of course, most of my time out as a trans woman has been as a full on Hijabi'd Muslim woman who spent a lot of time in seclusion. I've spent much time soul searching to decide if I was (am) Muslim, or if the clothing was simply good camouflage? I just don't do the terrorist thing, nor do I own an AK-47, simply following the example of all Muslims "I" know.
I think that radical feminists perhaps have issue with us because they feel that trans folk are interlopers on their special territory; they believing that being a woman is soooo special. Well, obviously we do too or some of us would not have resorted to a radical nagerectomy. The people who seem least supportive are the GBL folk, they having their own pots to stir.
After 11 years of this business, in my own little microcosm, I often wonder if it would have simply been better to be a crossdresser? My experience has been the same as many other pre or post op transwomen in that living as a woman ended my vocation. That part is not SUCH a loss because it was killing my body with arthritis, and other work related injuries. For me, the psychological stress of dealing with governmental assholes, and then facing possible death if I made one tiny mistake took a heavy toll.
So it was, that my being outed, drugged and declared a nutter in the DSM (psychological community) actually made life easier? Of course my fundamentalist family totally dis me and perhaps that is a blessing.