Can we have a civil and educational discussion about transgender issues? Is that possible?

[PeaceWave]

This discussion thread was locked by EarlG (a host of the General Discussion forum).

It feels like people rush to either talk over each other or call each other names whenever any transgender topic hits the board. It occurs to me that some of the disconnect may be related to differing levels of understanding on the issue. That doesn't mean that one person is "ignorant" or a "bigot" or any other such thing. It might simply mean that they don't have much or any exposure to transgender individuals and therefore haven't had much personal opportunity to exercise their powers of empathy towards such people. Perhaps we can all take a step back and re-approach one another with the goal of raising awareness rather than trying to drag each other down into the mud - Because you know that's where Trump wants us...Right down in the mud where he himself is most comfortable. How does that sound?

[cilla4progress]

1. I can.

Is this about sports?

It needs to be fair on both sides, IMHO. What that looks like, I don't know.

[PeaceWave]

2. No. I'd like to talk about more than just sports. I'd like people to understand what it means to be transgender...

I know that I'm no expert. But, I'm willing to listen. And, I'm saying that our discussions might be a hell of a lot more productive if we attempt to educate one another rather than attack each other.

[vercetti2021]

3. Guess not

Apparently to quite a few members here. Our rights are up for negotiations. Why I bother to stick around this place is beyond me at this point.

[GusBob]

4. The answer is no

And there is a reason for that which is really beyond our control

[Hekate]

5. In the Health forum? Civil Liberties? If you want "civil" General Discussion isn't it just now.....

Your idea has merit, but personally speaking, GD dismays, appalls, and depresses the hell out me in these days.

[stoned]

6. I'd like to become educated

I grew up with the term "transexual" and have no idea what "transgender" means. The word "trans" AFAIK is an abbreviation of "transition" or "transitioning," which leads me to believe its meant to describe someone who is in the process of transitioning from one gender to the other. But I have no idea. And I've never met one so I can't ask anyone I know. I'd love to be enlightened.

[Ms. Toad]

7. Yes, but if an only if you are interested understanding

No, if the discussion includes debating whether transgender individuals are entitled to fully participate in society, including in gendered spaces, without regard to what sex is marked in their original birth certificate. In other words, access for transgender women to women's bathrooms, housing, sports, etc. must be taken as a given in any conversations on DU.

Discussions as to rights for transgender individuals need to take place somewhere other than DU because EarlG has prohibited them on DU for the protection of our transgender members.

[Quiet Em]

8. You appear to feel strongly about this issue while acknowledging you know very little about it

Perhaps the best place for you to start is to listen to those who live it and experience it. You cannot be part of an educational discussion if you have no understanding.

[EarlG]

9. As I've explained in the past

If people would like to learn more about transgender issues there are many resources out there and I encourage people to seek them out.

I also accept that Democratic politicians are going to speak about trans issues from time to time, and that people are going to want to discuss it when it happens. We can have those discussions, but people will have to be careful to stay within the rules.

What we’re not going to do play is host to a bunch of cis people having a calm, polite, and thoughtful discussion about how far trans people should be thrown under the bus. If folks want to do that, they’ll need to find a different venue.