But let me also say that I cannot agree with all of it. Having said that, I do agree with part of what you have said. I do agree regarding your opinions on sport - although with the following caveat: transgender girls who transition at an early age have no discernible advantage over many cisgender girls. If a genetically male child is placed on puberty blockers prior to going through a male puberty, then that child may actually be at a disadvantage when compared to others. It is a well known fact that girls tend to mature earlier than boys, and that at some ages girls are easily physically equal to (and often superior to) boys of the same age. This is obviously not true once a transgender girl has gone through some amount of male puberty.

However, any doctor will tell you that until puberty girls and boys are extremely similar in physical capabilities. This obviously changes with puberty.

Admittedly I am taller than my spouse, my shoulders are more broad (but not by a huge amount), my hands are larger (but again, not by a huge amount), and I may have some physical advantages over her because of it. But I can tell you that years after transitioning, there is really no discernible difference in strength between us, as has become quite evident to her when we are playing around. Honestly, she is probably the more aggressive of the two of us normally as well - a fact which she finds quite humorous considering my military background and record.

The other major point which I differ with you in is in regard to the so-called “safe spaces” and showing respect for them. Are you suggesting that I, as a very obvious female, should use the men’s restroom? That I should allow women their “safe space” while placing myself in harm’s way by entering the men’s restroom? After more than a decade since I first transitioned, just how am I less entitled to the use of your so-called “safe spaces”?

I do in fact agree that some of our community have pushed too far, too fast, which may have contributed to the current backlash. However, I think the more realistic view is that they have simply made us more visible, and as a very small minority we are an easy target for people like Trump and his ilk to use. We make an easy target for them to use to whip up support amongst the ignorant and prejudiced morons who are their political base. It is an old story that goes back further than written history, but the most obvious example being the abuse of Jews throughout history as an obvious scapegoat. Additionally, there is an obvious irrational fear of transgender women in some men - and that is especially evident in specific sections of society. It is an old story for those seeking power to play on those fears for their benefit.

I also feel that your correlation between Jenner’s very public transition and the increase in backlash against the transgender community is a well made point. As you have pointed out, Jenner has been a contentious person for the rest of us in the transgender community due to our desire to support another transgender person, while at the same time being revolted at her idiotic political statements. Jenner has done none of us any favors by becoming the face that many think of when transgender people are discussed. I am sure that most of us could think of someone we would prefer to be the example people think of.

But the question here is simple? Is that correlation simply due to the transgender community suddenly becoming more public? If that is the case, shouldn’t we also be placing some blame on things like Ru Paul’s Drag Race? A show which I personally cannot stand as it pushes the whole idea that transgender women are no different than drag queens to much of the population. I am not a drag queen and resent that idea. I find it insulting when people assume that I must love that show. Why? Because I am transgender I must love a show about overly campy drag queens? That is insulting.

Is that how people see us? Is that how we want to be seen? I think not.