It’s true pronouns make for a convenient attack on trans people. And it’s true there was a good bit of calling even people who broadly support trans rights “transphobic” for violating any aspect of pro-trans orthodoxy.
I still think the reaction of the anti-trans public has been wildly disproportionate. For being criticized and thought bigoted, they’ve basically said, “oh yeah? Well, here’s bigoted for you! How’s about we replace your nice little democracy with a fascist dictatorship that diminishes everyone’s life.”
There’s a tendency to blame the left—and especially the trans left—for triggering this reaction, while not blaming the ones who are overreacting.
I know you’re not making THAT case here, but I do see it made. It’s why trans people have few defenders in this country today (certainly not the Democratic Party, which would like trans people to go away) and thus why many trans people may have to leave the country, depending on how aggressive the right gets in punishing them for the crime of pronouns.
I agree with your assessment. However, elections sometimes means meeting people where they're at as opposed to condemning them for not being progressive enough.
It’s true pronouns make for a convenient attack on trans people. And it’s true there was a good bit of calling even people who broadly support trans rights “transphobic” for violating any aspect of pro-trans orthodoxy.
I still think the reaction of the anti-trans public has been wildly disproportionate. For being criticized and thought bigoted, they’ve basically said, “oh yeah? Well, here’s bigoted for you! How’s about we replace your nice little democracy with a fascist dictatorship that diminishes everyone’s life.”
There’s a tendency to blame the left—and especially the trans left—for triggering this reaction, while not blaming the ones who are overreacting.
I know you’re not making THAT case here, but I do see it made. It’s why trans people have few defenders in this country today (certainly not the Democratic Party, which would like trans people to go away) and thus why many trans people may have to leave the country, depending on how aggressive the right gets in punishing them for the crime of pronouns.
I agree with your assessment. However, elections sometimes means meeting people where they're at as opposed to condemning them for not being progressive enough.
Yes, that very thing happened to me! I myself was called a transphobe! Thankfully, I did not respond by becoming a Nazi!