To the handful of DUers who haven't figured this out yet:

[Joe Nation]

213. Thanks for the article

Yes, I agree with Earl that some people will use questions to excuse bigotry, but, that is also an opportunity to address the bigotry not an opportunity to shut them down and let them go on the merry way as bigoted as ever. Not all who pose unenlightened questions are bigots. Some are just uninformed.

I have learned much through my contact with my trans relatives over the years. Things I didn't know only came through questioning and learning. The older generation has been the most difficult to convince in my experience but some can be very accepting once you explain it to them. They often sound very bigoted initially but they can also be the warmest people once they understand.

I think the OP does a disservice to anyone genuinely interested in learning about the trans community. And they may ask what seems like dumb or insulting questions. I know that there are trolls but they shouldn't dictate the breadth of the conversation nor should we help them do so by limiting what kind of questions are tolerable. That is all I am saying.