tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136378214973154637.post8910562091754930719..comments2023-10-05T02:02:44.196-07:00Comments on Dianne in the Provinces: Pissed off???Diannehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13501248299149011600noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2136378214973154637.post-69956766820306895622013-02-09T04:35:55.059-08:002013-02-09T04:35:55.059-08:00Just a thought.
Much of the reaction we receive ...Just a thought. <br /><br />Much of the reaction we receive is based on the attitude we project. While I respect Riki Wilchins' ideas, she is writing from the perspective of someone who began to transition in the 1980's. Back then, transition was like going to war. Every little step was a battle, and there was almost nobody who even had the slightest inkling of the issues of trans* people. This leaves scars. Riki projects those scars.<br /><br />Today, we have moved into the public eye, and mostly in a positive light. When the President of the United States can openly mention LGBT issues in his inaugural address, we have clearly moved into a new era.<br /><br />Honestly, I believe, and I base this on personal experience that this remains an issue for only two reasons. The first is that out of our own fear we keep revisiting it. We perceive that the look we get from that woman in the bathroom is because she read us, when it really was that she didn't like our shoes. The second is that a small, small minority of radical feminists refuse to let it die.<br /><br />Every time we engage the the RadFem minority in a debate on this, all we do is broaden their platform. I know how hard it can be to walk away from the debate, but I really believe that it is the best course. Responding to ignorant hate only legitimises the hate. It is a slow process, but if you do ignore them, they do eventually go away.<br /><br />I'm not silly enough to believe that everything is wonderful everywhere, and I'm not advocating ignoring potential risks. What I am saying is that we belong there as much as anyone else, and if we walk in like we belong there instead of tiptoeing in like a thief, we will be accepted most of the time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com