People full of hate make the most noise and occupy some of the most prominent positions, and we seem to be going through a reactionary time. But that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made more quietly. Almost all the cis people I know have trans people among their friends and family, and 20 years ago that would have been thought unusual. “Trans” for these people has gone from a concept they’ve maybe heard of to being the people they know and love, and hopefully are prepared to stand up for. This is just anecdotal, I know, but I’d be surprised if it’s totally unusual, and it feels like there has been progress in familiarity and understanding. Positive change is frustratingly slow and inconsistent, and legally and politically things are heading backwards in many places, but the rise in visible and noisy hatred may mask some good changes that are real but less attention-grabbing.
People full of hate make the most noise and occupy some of the most prominent positions, and we seem to be going through a reactionary time. But that doesn’t mean progress isn’t being made more quietly. Almost all the cis people I know have trans people among their friends and family, and 20 years ago that would have been thought unusual. “Trans” for these people has gone from a concept they’ve maybe heard of to being the people they know and love, and hopefully are prepared to stand up for. This is just anecdotal, I know, but I’d be surprised if it’s totally unusual, and it feels like there has been progress in familiarity and understanding. Positive change is frustratingly slow and inconsistent, and legally and politically things are heading backwards in many places, but the rise in visible and noisy hatred may mask some good changes that are real but less attention-grabbing.