Transphobia is not just a right wing problem. It’s not even a political issue. It’s a humanitarian crisis. I’m not demanding people examine themselves or check privileges but just to listen.
Yes, what Donald Trump and his administration have been doing is terrible. No, I’m not going to make a both sides equivalency. What I want you to do though is to look at the issue through a different lens.
Much of our current discourse in life is being framed through an opposition framework.
If you don’t think Black Lives Matter, you may say All Lives Matter, when in reality you’re just using a bigger tent to cover the racism the US was built on.
In the same way when I say trans rights I’m not saying it to be the opposition.
I say it because when I go to work there are people who won’t ride in the elevator with me or look me in the eye because I’m visibly trans.
I say it because I would love to see my family again but can’t because I was disowned for being trans.
I say it because just this week alone I read of Black Trans women being shot and JK Rowling using her massive platform to attack our community again.
I say it because our poverty rate is much higher and life expectancy much lower than the overall population.
When JK Rowling or Graham Linehan say things that are opposing trans existence, they worry about getting nasty messages on Twitter or potentially losing fans.
When I say trans rights, it’s because I desperately want a future where I don’t have to see Fox News debating which bathroom I can use.
We are not a rival sports team or an army in a culture war. We’re human beings.
I like nature, making jokes with friends, and candles. I work a regular job which I honestly feel lucky to have and it’s weird to think that about any job. Please fight for my rights and I’ll fight for yours.
Thanks.