It’s disheartening how many people don’t really care much, but we have to work on those people. For them, it’s important to keep reminding them that so-called “trans rights” are just basic human rights, and if you let them slip you’re letting everyone’s rights slip. If they can’t care about others, maybe they can be coerced into caring about how this might come back to bite them. Too many people see fascism rising and think, “at least they’re not coming for me.” No one is safe under fascism. They start by victimizing whoever has the least power, and work their way outwards from there.
I’ve been fighting for my and others’ trans identities for over 10 years. Honestly the only societal change I’ve seen is that with more visibility, public resentment for us has grown. I’m close to the point of throwing in the towel because it’s exhausting.
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.
It’s disheartening how many people don’t really care much, but we have to work on those people. For them, it’s important to keep reminding them that so-called “trans rights” are just basic human rights, and if you let them slip you’re letting everyone’s rights slip. If they can’t care about others, maybe they can be coerced into caring about how this might come back to bite them. Too many people see fascism rising and think, “at least they’re not coming for me.” No one is safe under fascism. They start by victimizing whoever has the least power, and work their way outwards from there.
I’ve been fighting for my and others’ trans identities for over 10 years. Honestly the only societal change I’ve seen is that with more visibility, public resentment for us has grown. I’m close to the point of throwing in the towel because it’s exhausting.
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.
it wasn’t that long ago that the same people were arguing against the Equal Rights Amendment, also.