this post was submitted on 25 Sep 2023
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I have no idea how you came to this ridiculous conclusion.
Probably by talking to centrists, I've come to a similar conclusion. Every single centrist I've talked to in person either refuses to use preferred pronouns, are outwardly disgusted by the idea of a trans woman, dont want them using their preferred bathroom, or are afraid of "trans indoctrination" in school (they dont want trans people mentioned or talked about in any class context). Idk, i know anecdotes arent strong evidence, but based on my experience, i don't think they pulled this conclusion from nowhere.
To be fair to the other commenter, the people who you had interactions with are actually Bona Fide, Shonuff Nazis. They claim to be "centrists" to avoid being ostracized by decent people.
I'm a bisexual centrist who's been romantically involved with trans people, does that mean me too?
Kind of like how Republicans who aren't filthy rich like to claim they're "Libertarians." No, you just don't like be called an asshole for being an asshole. You ain't fooling anybody.
That's.. ..kinda cringey.
It's not always hate, sometimes it's fear too!
You're seriously going to paint every single centrist with the "transphobe" brush?
I think you'll find that most centrists are broadly in support of trans people and that if they have any objections at all, they'll be a few minor snagging points like mtf people in women's sports, women's toilets/changing rooms and the idea of making irreversible changes to the body of a child.
People like you are self defeating, sometimes it seems that you're desperate to be a victim. You make mountains out of molehills and create divisions where there are none, but worst of all, you actively alienate people who are potentially your allies.
Edit: down votes away, until I see someone brave enough to make a counter point, I'll just assume that the truth hurts. It's much easier to say that you don't like someone's opinion than to explain why
"Broadly in support of trans people" but also forcing us to use changing rooms and toilets that also often put us in danger and lead many of us to be able to spend less time in public because the minute we need to pee someone is very likely going to yell at us, smack us (usually women) or stalk us to a secondary location (usually men) because people feel empowered to treat us all like perverts and make our safety based decisions of what the path of least resistance a question a matter of technicality...
What the heck does "broadly support" mean in this context? Ambivalence to one's existence, quality of life issues and safety because one doesn't want to bother isn't support.
I don't doubt that transphobia is real and prevalent. What I'm saying is that the claim that an extremely large and diverse demographic as strongly prejudiced against trans people isn't only false, but entirely unhelpful to the goal of equality that trans people and their allies are fighting for.
You said centrists aren't transphobic, and proceeded to list a bunch of transphobic views a centrist may hold. You're kind of proving the point that they are obsessed with culture war BS. They will vote against trans rights if it makes them feel icky.
I didn't say that it's a view that every centrist holds or even claim that they're more common than not, nor did I say that they're view points exclusive to centrists.
Your comment is typical of someone that has already chosen their conclusion and will only consider evidence that supports it.
You listed them as non-transphobic, nuanced points one might hold. My point was just that they are transphobic views. I didn't say it was a view every centrist holds, but one a centrist MAY hold.
A lot of people who would otherwise say they respect trans people, would hold any of the transphobic views you listed and gladly vote against their interests.
Maybe I got you wrong. Because I think we're at the crux of the issue now.
Imagine you were broadly in support of trans people and full equality, but had some hesitations about the issues mentioned prior. Then a trans person or more usually a trans ally shouts "transphobe!!!", instead of trying to educate or debate in good faith.
Such a person might now think, "well a trans person says I'm a transphobe, I thought I wasn't but they probably know best", they may feel dejected and a potential ally has been turned into a person that at best won't touch the subject with a barge pole and at worst a legit transphobe.
I also feel it's quite important to state that the term transphobe implies a strong prejudice, I don't think a few minor sticking points implies a strong prejudice or even a minor prejudice. It can be as simple as a misunderstanding.
And the others that dont are eggs i.e. are trans people in secret but just dont know it yet aye?
This is why we cant have nice things.
Its reverse gatekeeping.
Now being serious, i know that a lot of trans people are not into this type of persecution rethoric, and i understeand why they should be protected from violence because they are a group that suffers a lot of violence.
But this type of rethoric is just asking for negative reactions from people at the very least, and theres a lot of people both trans and not trans that are on board with the reverse gatekeeping and makes the whole thing harder to defend.