I know it’s a complicated place for Sarah. She unfortunately doesn’t have strength in numbers, because the real cowards are her cis Democratic colleagues who won’t come to the defense of trans people. It shouldn’t all fall on her. I can imagine she is so afraid of making a misstep because she doesn’t want to seem like she is JUST the trans congresswoman and that’s all she cares about. Yes, it’s fucking dire straights for us right now, but all eyes are on her.
However - you’re right, there was no reason she needed to sign on to the Gavin Newsom playbook.
The people that she’s talking about - these voters who would need the tent to become bigger to allow them in, ie they need handholding through their soft bigotry - they’re the ones that she can be an example to, of, hey, you’ve likely never actually seen a trans person in real life before (that you know of), and jesus christ, look how fucking normal I am and how I want the same things everyone else does and I’m not the freak the right wing media has told you I am. People (who aren’t brainwashed Christian Nationalists) would come around if they just knew a trans person IRL. A lot of them actually do, we’re just passing and stealth.
She can still strike a “quieter” tone if she’d like to, honestly that seems to be her political style in the first place - while still not selling out. Still, when you’re the “first” of any group, I would think it is hard not to play respectability politics. There is a lot of pressure on her and she’s been threatened with literal physical violence by her own congressional colleagues ffs, so some of it is absolutely a safety consideration for her.
As a transgender woman, I hold perspectives that differ from yours. I believe that effecting meaningful change requires being in positions of power. Currently, the Democratic Party faces challenges due to a lack of strong leadership and unity, hindering its ability to drive change. In my senior leadership role within my company, I view Sarah’s approach as mature and forward-thinking. By focusing on inclusivity and avoiding alienation of voters, she aims to restore the Democrats to power, enabling them to implement the changes we seek.
Congresswoman McBride is there to represent the people of Delaware first. If she makes the entirety of her presence about being transgender, she will be a one term congresswoman.
Look at Jackie Robinson in the major leagues: for the first few seasons he did not rise to the racist bait, which would have completely derailed integration. Instead he demonstrated that he was there to play baseball.
And it *is* a very difficult conversation, but we do need to at least discuss trans women in sports because it has become such a wedge. A trans woman is a woman. A trans woman who has just realized she is trans is not on the same playing field as a cis woman or a trans woman who has been on HRT for a long time. That is why, before this became such a wedge issue, the discussion was around allowable hormone levels. We are talking about this now but transgender people have been allowed to compete in Olympic events since 2004, where are all the transgender women gold medalists? medalists? real competitors? We do need to educate people, as painful as that is.
I think she is doing the best she can in an environment that has one half of the place hating you and the other not backing you. She has been a trans advocate for her entire life and is fighting the good fight.
As a trans woman, she is a role model and I have a ton of respect for her. The rest of the Democrats need to step up and protect trans rights. They are the ones that cower whenever they get pushed on trans rights.
Something needs to happen. We are literally being erased. There are states that are even looking to make transgender people felons if they change their birth certificate, docs, etc.
Sarah McBride is a human being. I get it that we have so few reps that we feel the need to claw into regular trans people who are Firsts. Her voice is necessary, and her primary concern is to not play into fascist hands and to instead court people this party long ago abandoned by not talking about quality of life and chasing donors instead. What I hear in her instinct is an understanding of the heat trans people are under, because Trump is feeding us to his base to distract them from being robbed blind. She wants to deescalate and create an uprising against Trump. Our democracy’s survival depends on coalitions of the willing. We need allies for that. Trans people cannot be at the center of all things at all times. Everything is on fire and no help is coming but us. I promise you: when we work hand in hand with regular ass people to get these techno-fascist, Christian Nationalist grifters out of power, people’s perspectives about us will shift and they’ll recognize that CN ideology is full of anti-American horseshit. And also, my god, can we not have this woman’s back in this of all moments? It’s like we are all armchair quarterbacking this trailblazer who had the great misfortune of rising to the political scene at the precise moment trans people are slated for genocide. Maybe cut her a break for not doing it the way you would? And like I am not saying your disappointment isn’t valid. It is. But maybe consider that this woman has enough hate coming toward her and that maybe if we lent her our support and encouragement she would find more courage. Imagine how lonely it is when even your own community drags you when you’re doing your best during the rise of something very ugly and very dangerous.
I disagree, purely because she could have just stayed silent about trans rights here, rather than openly stating we need to allow transphobes in to get votes. if the dems fold on trans people in sports, then the nazis will use that as precedent on trans people "not being real men/women" (I don't think they consider nonbinary people in their rhetoric). and she's advocating for the dems to fold on that issue for more votes. staying quiet is disappointing but understandable, but appealing to transphobes ain't.
While I do wish Congressperson McBride would make a stand with regard to trans rights, I think this attack a little unfair. All transgender people exhibit bravery every day they step out their door to present the world with their true identity. Our very existence is an act of bravery, regardless of whether we pass or not. This is why so many of us suffer agoraphobia. None should ever be accused of cowardice, not even the most reclusive. Those of us who stride the public stage strike a blow for trans rights with every step. Rep. McBride was not formally elected as representative of the trans community; she was elected as a representative of the state of Delaware. it is too early to make a judgment as to her performance in elected position. If you wish to judge her at this point, then you must consider her past. Before becoming an elected official, Rep. McBride served several years as the press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign. In that capacity, it would be difficult to argue that she did not serve the LGBTQ+ community with courage. When passing judgment on Rep. McBride, we must bear in mind that she did not run for office as a member of the Socialist party or the Green party. She ran as a Democrat, and therefore the metric we use to judge her will be entirely capitalist. Democrats are not a left-wing party. They are by nature a party of apologists, seeking to reconcile the working class to the rule of capital. They are the good cop to the Republican bad cop. Never forget they are still cops. Should Sarah McBride show more backbone in demanding respect for herself, the state of Delaware, and the transgender community? Without a doubt. But in making this judgment, we have unrealistic expectations, not of Rep. McBride, but of the Democrat party and the two-party system. That renders our judgment an exercise similar to arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
god the apologists in this comment section are exactly why we're fucking doomed. you all would rather cower under a rock than fight for actual progress and it's disgusting. we need VITRIOL rejection of the hate we're facing, turning the other cheek will get us NO WHERE.
You're absolutely spot on when you say that Sarah McBride is surrounded by democrats who are cowards when they should be fighting for her, with her, and for all of us. I also know that she's in one hell of a position with the fascists in the other party. She apparently thought that she was coming to DC to represent her constituents. I'm sure it took a lot for her to get where she presently sits. I wish her strength and wisdom so that she can rise to face the moment we are all now facing.
First, wonderfully written. Thank you for sharing this.
Second, while I agree, in principle, with AK, I am also entirely sympathetic to your premise. Our rights are an either/Or.
And somewhere in there, I believe, is where “sausage” is made.
At this point, honestly, I don’t care if your sausage recipe includes the ashes of photos of past lovers, I’m going to listen. Especially if it moves us closer to equality.
All I have is “visibility” and my core value of inclusion. I firmly believe that living so gives support to both Reps Zephyr and McBride. It serves as evidence that both have “people” behind them simply trying to live their lives despite the hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric.
Toward that end, I think we’re all better off with as many “sausage recipes” and “cooks” as possible.
agreed. democrats always appeal to votes, but if they ‘have to’ be centrist to stay in power, what’s the fucking point of keeping them in power? where’s the line they’ll defend? we can’t build coalition with people who will let us ‘mostly’ or ‘sometimes’ have equal rights as citizens.
Yet again the burden and expectation is placed solely on trans people in these scenarios…
But to go the extra mile and say she’s a coward (from a keyboard, mind you, which is very brave of the author) while she’s taking the arrows with almost no defense or aid from allies and other queer people attacking her for not being 💯 perfect?
Before you call Rep McBride a coward, 1) go watch the video of how she reacted to a Republiklan congressman misgendering her. And 2) go read her biography, Tomorrow Will Be Different. She’s got more bravery in her little toe than most of the divisive so-called leftist journalists who hide behind a Substack post.
My gut reaction was to defend her - because she's in a really tough spot. But reading what she said - I think it would have been best if she hadn't said anything at all.
It's one thing to silently suffer the oppression without comment in order to get things done. It's a different ballpark to give credit to transphobes.
The sports issue might not be important to a lot of people in itself - but it *is* hugely important strategically - and the right wingers know that.
If we can make trans people second class in one aspect - if there is a line - that line can be moved. If you have one aspect where you can say "they are not the gender they claim go be", you are *shifting fhe frame*. It's all about that. None of these people actually care about sports.
As a transexual woman, I disagree. Trans rights aren't black and white all or nothing.
Some of us think that the issues the current "community" is fighting for are irrelevant issues that affect limited amounts of people.
Doing sports isn't a right, it's one fight we're not going to win. There like what 20 athletes in the world this effects?
Drag queens being everywhere and the only representation of "trans women" in the media having disgusting names forcing their disgusting misogynistic minstrel show on children....never going to win that one.
Pushing for non-passing, like not trying to pass, full beards and confusing presentation using the lady's room and speaking in a deep enough voice it would rival Luther vandross to say "nevermind everything about my presentation, the beard, bulge etc, it's actually She/her"
Literal men commiting violent crimes and then conveniently claiming transness when incarcerated.
The military -well last time I checked you could be disqualified for server with just about any illness or condition. If this is medically necessary treatment, then it's a medical condition.
So no it's not all black and white and the greater trans community which is primarily"throw a dart at the wall to pick genders" don't do anything to transition except dye your hair stupid neon colors, and yell at people that can't read minds on pronouns; is who wants this. I definitely don't like people cosplaying my condition which I've suffered since I was little.
It's not black and white at all, the only rights I care about is access to meds and surgeries. You know why?
Would be nice if she was talking about allowing transsexuals back into the trans community considering we've been pushed out of the only space we had by nbs, agps, space genders, drag queens, and "trans" influencers larping as trans people.
And don't get me started on seahorse dad's, male lesbians, or ftm "femboys"
I’m really questioning what benefit you think punching down on other trans people gets you just because they don’t present themselves the way you do or pursue the same path of transition you are/did.
I’m a binary, passing, relatively gender-conforming trans man and I don’t think that nonbinary people or trans people who otherwise don’t comform to cishetero norms are the ones endangering my rights. That would be the MAGA Christian Nationalists who, by the way, aren’t going to be swayed by your pick-me rhetoric. They’re going to send you and I to the camps just the same as they will the neon-haired enbies.
Why shouldn’t a trans person get to serve in the military? It’s an employer like any other, and trans people who are emotionally stable and happy and have the healthcare necessary to deal with their dysphoria have no reason not to be able to serve. Why shouldn’t a trans person get to play sports? It’s a normal thing that people do. I’m questioning why you accept the subjugation of our community even if they are specific rights that you personally are not interested in.
Wow. Just wow. What gives you the right to be the arbiter of transness? I am a transsexual woman who is quite binary and would probably hold up to your "standards," yet I will ferociously support and defend the entire spectrum of gender non-conforming folks. It's a shame that both you, and Sarah McBride will not.
Transsexuals have not been pushed out. Truscum and transmedicalists have been. There’s a difference. Upholding cis heteronormative standards and hierarchies is gross, sis. I hope you can work on your transphobia towards others that don’t fit into your narrow definition. Not all of us aspire to resemble cis women.
i’m a nonbinary elder. what you have said here started with truth and ended in cruelty. I haven’t met a nonbinary person who gives a shit if people fuck up their pronouns. I fuck up pronouns all the time. we all do. you just got roped by the misinfo. want to know why nonbinary people and trans athletes and trans kids are in these outrage cycles? because christian nationalists put us there as punching bags, and you bought into their propa hook line and sinker. meanwhile, here I am, an elder, trying to help my kin being targeted. and you? you bought their propaganda and never questioned the lies. cousin, the ADF has been working on this for decades. they have deep ties to russia (which used to strike me as weird af until now). this has been a slow and deliberate push, and some very well-trained disinfo people capitalized on trans athletes, trans kids, and gender expansive people because they knew they’d be seen as ridiculous even to many of their own kin (with unhealed gender wounds). cousin, I agree with your initial premise about reading the room and cutting mcbride slack. I said as much in my own comments to this blog. but what you’re doing here is community destroying. does our community have generational chasms? yes. but no community survives a genocide when they’re also coming at each other with glass knives. I don’t want to shame you. I want you to see me. I’m just as regular as you. I don’t give a shit what people think about my gender because I know who I am. I live my life same as you. Do not malign your kin during an attempted holocaust. Woe betides and all that. Cry it out and get back in the fight. We need you in community.
I'm probably what you'd call a transsexual. Hell, I'm even on the fence about reclaiming the word because it's more accurate - but also has a complicated past and I'm not sure it would be helpful.
I'm a binary, pretty femme trans woman who's done the surgeries, etc.
But I would never, ever throw my fellow trans people under the bus like you do - because I have talked to actual people whose experience with gender is also complicated and different than mine. If we ourselves can't accept "the other", if we think we are righteous in drawing an arbitrary line at what is "too far out there" based on vibes (these people aren't harming anyone!) - then we totally have to accept what's coming for us when the line is drawn in a way that excludes and hurts us, too.
And I agree with the other commenter: binary trans people, transsexuals haven't been ostracised from the community - transmedicalists have been - precisely for the reasons I outlined. Not because of who they are but because of their shitty exclusionary views. It's Karl Popper's Paradox of Tolerance applied.
I know it’s a complicated place for Sarah. She unfortunately doesn’t have strength in numbers, because the real cowards are her cis Democratic colleagues who won’t come to the defense of trans people. It shouldn’t all fall on her. I can imagine she is so afraid of making a misstep because she doesn’t want to seem like she is JUST the trans congresswoman and that’s all she cares about. Yes, it’s fucking dire straights for us right now, but all eyes are on her.
However - you’re right, there was no reason she needed to sign on to the Gavin Newsom playbook.
The people that she’s talking about - these voters who would need the tent to become bigger to allow them in, ie they need handholding through their soft bigotry - they’re the ones that she can be an example to, of, hey, you’ve likely never actually seen a trans person in real life before (that you know of), and jesus christ, look how fucking normal I am and how I want the same things everyone else does and I’m not the freak the right wing media has told you I am. People (who aren’t brainwashed Christian Nationalists) would come around if they just knew a trans person IRL. A lot of them actually do, we’re just passing and stealth.
She can still strike a “quieter” tone if she’d like to, honestly that seems to be her political style in the first place - while still not selling out. Still, when you’re the “first” of any group, I would think it is hard not to play respectability politics. There is a lot of pressure on her and she’s been threatened with literal physical violence by her own congressional colleagues ffs, so some of it is absolutely a safety consideration for her.
As a transgender woman, I hold perspectives that differ from yours. I believe that effecting meaningful change requires being in positions of power. Currently, the Democratic Party faces challenges due to a lack of strong leadership and unity, hindering its ability to drive change. In my senior leadership role within my company, I view Sarah’s approach as mature and forward-thinking. By focusing on inclusivity and avoiding alienation of voters, she aims to restore the Democrats to power, enabling them to implement the changes we seek.
Congresswoman McBride is there to represent the people of Delaware first. If she makes the entirety of her presence about being transgender, she will be a one term congresswoman.
Look at Jackie Robinson in the major leagues: for the first few seasons he did not rise to the racist bait, which would have completely derailed integration. Instead he demonstrated that he was there to play baseball.
And it *is* a very difficult conversation, but we do need to at least discuss trans women in sports because it has become such a wedge. A trans woman is a woman. A trans woman who has just realized she is trans is not on the same playing field as a cis woman or a trans woman who has been on HRT for a long time. That is why, before this became such a wedge issue, the discussion was around allowable hormone levels. We are talking about this now but transgender people have been allowed to compete in Olympic events since 2004, where are all the transgender women gold medalists? medalists? real competitors? We do need to educate people, as painful as that is.
I think she is doing the best she can in an environment that has one half of the place hating you and the other not backing you. She has been a trans advocate for her entire life and is fighting the good fight.
As a trans woman, she is a role model and I have a ton of respect for her. The rest of the Democrats need to step up and protect trans rights. They are the ones that cower whenever they get pushed on trans rights.
Something needs to happen. We are literally being erased. There are states that are even looking to make transgender people felons if they change their birth certificate, docs, etc.
Sarah McBride is a human being. I get it that we have so few reps that we feel the need to claw into regular trans people who are Firsts. Her voice is necessary, and her primary concern is to not play into fascist hands and to instead court people this party long ago abandoned by not talking about quality of life and chasing donors instead. What I hear in her instinct is an understanding of the heat trans people are under, because Trump is feeding us to his base to distract them from being robbed blind. She wants to deescalate and create an uprising against Trump. Our democracy’s survival depends on coalitions of the willing. We need allies for that. Trans people cannot be at the center of all things at all times. Everything is on fire and no help is coming but us. I promise you: when we work hand in hand with regular ass people to get these techno-fascist, Christian Nationalist grifters out of power, people’s perspectives about us will shift and they’ll recognize that CN ideology is full of anti-American horseshit. And also, my god, can we not have this woman’s back in this of all moments? It’s like we are all armchair quarterbacking this trailblazer who had the great misfortune of rising to the political scene at the precise moment trans people are slated for genocide. Maybe cut her a break for not doing it the way you would? And like I am not saying your disappointment isn’t valid. It is. But maybe consider that this woman has enough hate coming toward her and that maybe if we lent her our support and encouragement she would find more courage. Imagine how lonely it is when even your own community drags you when you’re doing your best during the rise of something very ugly and very dangerous.
I disagree, purely because she could have just stayed silent about trans rights here, rather than openly stating we need to allow transphobes in to get votes. if the dems fold on trans people in sports, then the nazis will use that as precedent on trans people "not being real men/women" (I don't think they consider nonbinary people in their rhetoric). and she's advocating for the dems to fold on that issue for more votes. staying quiet is disappointing but understandable, but appealing to transphobes ain't.
You don't make "space in our tent" for the enemy. You destroy them. Someone should explain this to Sarah.
While I do wish Congressperson McBride would make a stand with regard to trans rights, I think this attack a little unfair. All transgender people exhibit bravery every day they step out their door to present the world with their true identity. Our very existence is an act of bravery, regardless of whether we pass or not. This is why so many of us suffer agoraphobia. None should ever be accused of cowardice, not even the most reclusive. Those of us who stride the public stage strike a blow for trans rights with every step. Rep. McBride was not formally elected as representative of the trans community; she was elected as a representative of the state of Delaware. it is too early to make a judgment as to her performance in elected position. If you wish to judge her at this point, then you must consider her past. Before becoming an elected official, Rep. McBride served several years as the press secretary of the Human Rights Campaign. In that capacity, it would be difficult to argue that she did not serve the LGBTQ+ community with courage. When passing judgment on Rep. McBride, we must bear in mind that she did not run for office as a member of the Socialist party or the Green party. She ran as a Democrat, and therefore the metric we use to judge her will be entirely capitalist. Democrats are not a left-wing party. They are by nature a party of apologists, seeking to reconcile the working class to the rule of capital. They are the good cop to the Republican bad cop. Never forget they are still cops. Should Sarah McBride show more backbone in demanding respect for herself, the state of Delaware, and the transgender community? Without a doubt. But in making this judgment, we have unrealistic expectations, not of Rep. McBride, but of the Democrat party and the two-party system. That renders our judgment an exercise similar to arranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.
god the apologists in this comment section are exactly why we're fucking doomed. you all would rather cower under a rock than fight for actual progress and it's disgusting. we need VITRIOL rejection of the hate we're facing, turning the other cheek will get us NO WHERE.
Good luck reasoning with leopards pick-mes!
You're absolutely spot on when you say that Sarah McBride is surrounded by democrats who are cowards when they should be fighting for her, with her, and for all of us. I also know that she's in one hell of a position with the fascists in the other party. She apparently thought that she was coming to DC to represent her constituents. I'm sure it took a lot for her to get where she presently sits. I wish her strength and wisdom so that she can rise to face the moment we are all now facing.
Huh.
This is a tough one.
First, wonderfully written. Thank you for sharing this.
Second, while I agree, in principle, with AK, I am also entirely sympathetic to your premise. Our rights are an either/Or.
And somewhere in there, I believe, is where “sausage” is made.
At this point, honestly, I don’t care if your sausage recipe includes the ashes of photos of past lovers, I’m going to listen. Especially if it moves us closer to equality.
All I have is “visibility” and my core value of inclusion. I firmly believe that living so gives support to both Reps Zephyr and McBride. It serves as evidence that both have “people” behind them simply trying to live their lives despite the hateful and dehumanizing rhetoric.
Toward that end, I think we’re all better off with as many “sausage recipes” and “cooks” as possible.
agreed. democrats always appeal to votes, but if they ‘have to’ be centrist to stay in power, what’s the fucking point of keeping them in power? where’s the line they’ll defend? we can’t build coalition with people who will let us ‘mostly’ or ‘sometimes’ have equal rights as citizens.
Yet again the burden and expectation is placed solely on trans people in these scenarios…
But to go the extra mile and say she’s a coward (from a keyboard, mind you, which is very brave of the author) while she’s taking the arrows with almost no defense or aid from allies and other queer people attacking her for not being 💯 perfect?
That’s just a hot garbage take.
Before you call Rep McBride a coward, 1) go watch the video of how she reacted to a Republiklan congressman misgendering her. And 2) go read her biography, Tomorrow Will Be Different. She’s got more bravery in her little toe than most of the divisive so-called leftist journalists who hide behind a Substack post.
My gut reaction was to defend her - because she's in a really tough spot. But reading what she said - I think it would have been best if she hadn't said anything at all.
It's one thing to silently suffer the oppression without comment in order to get things done. It's a different ballpark to give credit to transphobes.
The sports issue might not be important to a lot of people in itself - but it *is* hugely important strategically - and the right wingers know that.
If we can make trans people second class in one aspect - if there is a line - that line can be moved. If you have one aspect where you can say "they are not the gender they claim go be", you are *shifting fhe frame*. It's all about that. None of these people actually care about sports.
She should be intelligent enough to know that.
As a transexual woman, I disagree. Trans rights aren't black and white all or nothing.
Some of us think that the issues the current "community" is fighting for are irrelevant issues that affect limited amounts of people.
Doing sports isn't a right, it's one fight we're not going to win. There like what 20 athletes in the world this effects?
Drag queens being everywhere and the only representation of "trans women" in the media having disgusting names forcing their disgusting misogynistic minstrel show on children....never going to win that one.
Pushing for non-passing, like not trying to pass, full beards and confusing presentation using the lady's room and speaking in a deep enough voice it would rival Luther vandross to say "nevermind everything about my presentation, the beard, bulge etc, it's actually She/her"
Literal men commiting violent crimes and then conveniently claiming transness when incarcerated.
The military -well last time I checked you could be disqualified for server with just about any illness or condition. If this is medically necessary treatment, then it's a medical condition.
So no it's not all black and white and the greater trans community which is primarily"throw a dart at the wall to pick genders" don't do anything to transition except dye your hair stupid neon colors, and yell at people that can't read minds on pronouns; is who wants this. I definitely don't like people cosplaying my condition which I've suffered since I was little.
It's not black and white at all, the only rights I care about is access to meds and surgeries. You know why?
Would be nice if she was talking about allowing transsexuals back into the trans community considering we've been pushed out of the only space we had by nbs, agps, space genders, drag queens, and "trans" influencers larping as trans people.
And don't get me started on seahorse dad's, male lesbians, or ftm "femboys"
I’m really questioning what benefit you think punching down on other trans people gets you just because they don’t present themselves the way you do or pursue the same path of transition you are/did.
I’m a binary, passing, relatively gender-conforming trans man and I don’t think that nonbinary people or trans people who otherwise don’t comform to cishetero norms are the ones endangering my rights. That would be the MAGA Christian Nationalists who, by the way, aren’t going to be swayed by your pick-me rhetoric. They’re going to send you and I to the camps just the same as they will the neon-haired enbies.
Why shouldn’t a trans person get to serve in the military? It’s an employer like any other, and trans people who are emotionally stable and happy and have the healthcare necessary to deal with their dysphoria have no reason not to be able to serve. Why shouldn’t a trans person get to play sports? It’s a normal thing that people do. I’m questioning why you accept the subjugation of our community even if they are specific rights that you personally are not interested in.
Wow. Just wow. What gives you the right to be the arbiter of transness? I am a transsexual woman who is quite binary and would probably hold up to your "standards," yet I will ferociously support and defend the entire spectrum of gender non-conforming folks. It's a shame that both you, and Sarah McBride will not.
Transsexuals have not been pushed out. Truscum and transmedicalists have been. There’s a difference. Upholding cis heteronormative standards and hierarchies is gross, sis. I hope you can work on your transphobia towards others that don’t fit into your narrow definition. Not all of us aspire to resemble cis women.
i’m a nonbinary elder. what you have said here started with truth and ended in cruelty. I haven’t met a nonbinary person who gives a shit if people fuck up their pronouns. I fuck up pronouns all the time. we all do. you just got roped by the misinfo. want to know why nonbinary people and trans athletes and trans kids are in these outrage cycles? because christian nationalists put us there as punching bags, and you bought into their propa hook line and sinker. meanwhile, here I am, an elder, trying to help my kin being targeted. and you? you bought their propaganda and never questioned the lies. cousin, the ADF has been working on this for decades. they have deep ties to russia (which used to strike me as weird af until now). this has been a slow and deliberate push, and some very well-trained disinfo people capitalized on trans athletes, trans kids, and gender expansive people because they knew they’d be seen as ridiculous even to many of their own kin (with unhealed gender wounds). cousin, I agree with your initial premise about reading the room and cutting mcbride slack. I said as much in my own comments to this blog. but what you’re doing here is community destroying. does our community have generational chasms? yes. but no community survives a genocide when they’re also coming at each other with glass knives. I don’t want to shame you. I want you to see me. I’m just as regular as you. I don’t give a shit what people think about my gender because I know who I am. I live my life same as you. Do not malign your kin during an attempted holocaust. Woe betides and all that. Cry it out and get back in the fight. We need you in community.
I'm probably what you'd call a transsexual. Hell, I'm even on the fence about reclaiming the word because it's more accurate - but also has a complicated past and I'm not sure it would be helpful.
I'm a binary, pretty femme trans woman who's done the surgeries, etc.
But I would never, ever throw my fellow trans people under the bus like you do - because I have talked to actual people whose experience with gender is also complicated and different than mine. If we ourselves can't accept "the other", if we think we are righteous in drawing an arbitrary line at what is "too far out there" based on vibes (these people aren't harming anyone!) - then we totally have to accept what's coming for us when the line is drawn in a way that excludes and hurts us, too.
And I agree with the other commenter: binary trans people, transsexuals haven't been ostracised from the community - transmedicalists have been - precisely for the reasons I outlined. Not because of who they are but because of their shitty exclusionary views. It's Karl Popper's Paradox of Tolerance applied.
Is this satire?