Opinion/article on the transgender movement

[lyssbobiss, Command, B613]

An African-American Woman Reflects on the Transgender Movement:

Apologies if this was posted:

www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2015/06/15108/

I'm not able to c and p the text because I'm on my phone, but I'm curious to see what you all think. Her basic premise is that we would never teach black children that it's okay if they truly feel white but are in the wrong bodies, but we are teaching children that sometimes our gender is wrong, that feelings have a gender identity, and that you should change it if you can.

She cites a few different cases of people who have woken up after gender reassignment surgery going "what have I done?"

And she believes that we should teach people to love themselves as they are instead.

I feel like I can't speak to the racial issues at all. I have no idea what it's like to be a racial minority so trying to say anything about her comparison makes me really uncomfortable. But I don't like the idea of teaching kids with gender identity issues that they should just get over it and love themselves. That seems to tread somewhere close to conversation therapy to me, which is psychologically damaging. Also, hell, I've wondered what the hell I've done after basically every medical event in my life ever, from minor to major surgeries, through IF and childbirth. I don't regret my decision to do whatever it was, I just have to really think about how my life will change. I'm really surprised that she has a masters degree in psychology and is basically telling people that being trans is really just extreme self-loathing. Thoughts?

[pixy0stix]

Ok, I admittedly skimmed but:

Wanting a lighter skin color is in general societal pressure. Society sees lighter skin as more desirable.

Wanting to be a different gender is internally driven, and often starts way before societal pressure comes into play. Kids at 2 years old can self identify what gender they want to be.

In short, I disagree with her.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 5, 2015 15:03:31 GMT -5 pt716 said:

I am pretty sure there have been studies showing that the transgender people typically have brains that match up more with the gender they identify with. I am going to see if I can find s study.

Right. You're born that way on the inside, and just have the wrong external parts.

[Queen Mamadala]

I don't see the comparison at all, and I definitely can't get behind "just love yourself" mantra. Part of that process includes accepting the reality that your gender is different from you sex organs. Admitting to that, accepting it, is loving yourself. They are the gender they feel most connected to, so why not embrace it, rather than stifle and ignore, leading to internal struggle and turmoil.

[Deleted]

She is an idiot.

[pixy0stix]

Jun 5, 2015 15:12:34 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

She is an idiot.

Thank you for yet another thought provoking and well written answer.

[elleblue]

This argument infuriates me because it undermines the challenges faced by both groups. Telling someone to get over it and learn to love themselves is an insulting oversimplification.