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I read any nonfiction book I can find about CD or transgender. I enjoy hearing about other peoples life journey, what led them to be CD/trans, their trials and tribulations, and any lessons learned. Normally the subject material is consistent with my own opinions. Of course that leads to a skewed perspective on my part so I decided I would read an opposing view so as to broaden my knowledge base. This led me to 'Trans' by Helen Joyce. Her book discusses some of the down side of the ongoing transgender movement. Although she is supportive of transgender people, she provides some compelling reasons to throttle back on the movement. Some examples: the health risk of puberty blockers; the negative impact on young girls of MtF trans (with male genitalia) access to female only spaces (bathrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms); MtF athletes participating in female sports (MtF trans are bigger, stronger, faster); and cases of prisoners self identifying as MtF to gain transfer to female prisons for nefarious reasons.
Her book is well documented as she backs up her opinions with research data from scientific studies, personal research, and current events. She also discusses how it seems when someone pushes back on trans issues (although otherwise trans supportive) are unfairly criticized by trans groups as transphobic. Case in point - Martina Navratilova, the famous professional tennis player and one of the first openly lesbian public figures, and a lifetime supporter of marginalized people of all kinds, opined that MtF athletes should not compete against ciswomen because they are bigger, stronger, faster. Subsequently she was declared to be transphobic and dismissed from the advisory board of an LGBT nonprofit.
'Trans' was sometimes hard for me to read because, well, some of the discussion I disagree with. But in the end I think it is good to hear the other side of the story. Hope you read it. And I am interested to hear your opinion.
ADMIN NOTE: Please note that we consider the topic of transgender issues to be very relevant and important. However, we are also aware that it has the potential to elicit strong views. We don't want to stifle debate, but we DO request that members keep the discussion civil. Anyone unable to abide by this will have their comments removed, and (depending on the severity) may be subject to an official warning. Be aware that we will close the topic in the event that discussion gets out of hand. Thank you.
Crikey, I never expected to see a thread like this on CDH, and I'm not sure I'll see it for very long in this case.
I'm not taking sides at this point. I guarantee that statement in itself will rankle some. It seems to me that controversial issues will always attract more extreme positions. Some of them almost *need* a controversial stance to make any progress. But what is there to do in this day and age when all modern media channels recognise ( and therefore encourage) the financial benefits of controversy.
When *didn't* you last see a reasoned argument on either side which wasn't quickly overwhelmed by less reasonable 'comments' from the sidelines?
Progress tends to be generated by new younger voices and resistance usually comes from older people like me. My crusading days are long over. But looking back I can easily see my willingness to sweep aside both irrational counter arguments, but also inconvenient objections to some of the causes I enthusiastically espoused.
Tread carefully girls. If someone from either side tells you there is a simple and effective solution to any given problem, there almost certainly isn't.
Love to you all x
