General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTrans news. 4 days ago I ate at a local little place that has a good lunch deal. $12.00 for a ...
.... a really good chopped salad and a small wood fired pizza and sitting next to me
was a table of 4 women one of whom I am pretty sure was a trans person and do
you know what happened? NOTHING.
But be aware that trans people are going to be one of the GOP's issues this fall. A friend of mine
for many years has gotten sucked down into the right wing disinformation sites and he sent me a
link* to a story that liberal doctors, nurses, and mental health workers are talking young people into
sex change operations they really don't need as part of their "woke culture" or "cancel culture." I
forget which one it was.
* This "study" was from Hillsdale College in Michigan.
LetMyPeopleVote
(144,005 posts)Demovictory9
(32,324 posts)Botany
(70,291 posts)House Chop
iceberg, radicchio, pepperoncini, chickpeas, ricotta salata, house italian dressing
White Pizza with black olives & pepperoni
Demovictory9
(32,324 posts)Botany
(70,291 posts)The white pizza had garlic, basal, mozzarella, and some other kind of cheese too (parm??)
Ray Bruns
(4,023 posts)sex reassignment surgery? Strange.
Victor_c3
(3,557 posts)Her partner and her adopted a set of twins and were raising them. I saw her and talked to her all the time at various school functions. She was just another parent raising her kids the best way she knew how to. Not much to hate about that
milestogo
(16,829 posts)George Soros or Bill Gates?
Jetheels
(991 posts)IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)After all, maybe they'll pay for necessary ones too.
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)about people sitting at other tables in restaurants. I simply would never notice or wonder about anyone I didn't know.
Am I strange?
"Excuse me...could you send our server over. We'd like to order dessert."
Botany
(70,291 posts)BTW how we were sitting it was impossible for me not to notice her.
relayerbob
(6,510 posts)Wouldn't even occur to me to think about it
BlackSkimmer
(51,308 posts)Of course, I lived in Key West way back in the day, when seeing a trans person became normal pretty quickly. New to me at first, but I never noticed much after that. If someone looks like a woman, I assume theyre a woman.
But more to the point, I dont notice people in restaurants either, not especially. Or grocery stores.
soldierant
(6,648 posts)and not to restaurants or stores at all. But when I did, I would notice a stranger who was uniquely and beautifully dressed. Even on occasion to tell them so. (And that was prior to the short period I worked in costuming. Just something I would see.)
Ilsa
(61,675 posts)around them, and they notice the details of appearance and how they would describe them. Sometimes it is because of PTSD, sometimes it's medical or physical training therapy. If young, the person might be a teacher.
Personally, I like looking at the people around me, how different we all are considering how much our DNA is the same. There are amatuer philosophers telling us to look at the lovely world we live in, but what is more beautiful than another happy human being?
spinbaby
(15,073 posts)I have a friend, born female, who is tall and has a pronounced jawline. Shes sometimes assumed to be trans, which is embarrassing for her.
A woman at my gym appears to be trans, but I dont know that.
My niece, formerly my nephew, manages to be a dainty little thing.
Basically, I think its just best to accept people as what they want to be and not second guess what they might be.
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)My high school sweetheart transitioned in her 50s, and started being read as a woman after hormones, but before surgery. She is one of the lucky ones who is far less likely to trigger the OP's identification of her as anything other than female.
A cousin, on the other hand, has always been read as male (or as a trans woman). This has resulted in several very nasty bathroom encounters in the women's room when he still identified with his AFAB status of female. People attacked her, assuming she (at the time) was a male invading the women's room, or a trans woman - an identity they did not accept as female.
It's pretty offensive, and sometimes downright dangerous to the lives of trans individuals, to make assumptions about gender identity.
rainin
(3,010 posts)During that time, she had to see multiple doctors and mental health professionals to demonstrate need and readiness. It's simply so difficult. I'm convinced they're afraid their own kids will walk into a doctor and get "changed" without their permission.
ironflange
(7,781 posts)You're absolutely right, this isn't something someone initiates on a whim.
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)to find affordable, quality, gender affirming surgery.
ironflange
(7,781 posts)Took a quick trip to Montreal. We only had to pay for airfare.
Texaswitchy
(2,962 posts)We had a lot of gay people also.
What is this fear about.
Just let people be.
SWBTATTReg
(21,859 posts)and such are such scumbags, in that they have to pick on fellow Americans to blame for supposed woes caused by such people. And the pathetic thing is that of course it's all lies, it's all a smoke screen to disguise the fact that the GOP is broke in morality, is broke in decent behavior towards others not toeing the 'company line'.
IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)That no one seemed to create an issue, no one started something, and no one burst into flames or suddenly turned into a demon or anything like that. I know, the last one seems far-fetched, but there are a lot of people (including some here) who probably believe something like that would happen upon seeing a trans woman.
I'm already prepared for it being the QOP issue this fall. It's obvious with the nonstop attacks upon the trans community that have taken place over the last year or so. All we seem to have heard out of these thugs since Biden was sworn is has been "Heil Drumpf" and "Destroy the transgenders." If they succeed with their cruel bills, it'll be "re-elect us so can do more!" If they fail, it'll be "Re-elect us so we can win this time!" But this summer and fall is going to be open war on us. I'm already anticipating it, and what it'll do to my stress level and mental health (but, of course, that's the point).
No. It won't be fun. But what has me concerned even more is the upcoming finger pointing and blame game shit we'll see if things don't go the way people want, like it's our fucking fault and we're just supposed to go away so everyone else can be happy. So, once again, people like me are going to see who their friends are here on DU, and who doesn't care.
I'm also sorry to say that this "friend" sounds like a moron and/or lunatic. Any such studies are bullshit, any such stories are bullshit. It's taken 30 years of fighting the system to get any real help at all. Such progress has only come in the last few years, and, it's only happening in some of the blue states. Even so, now having a path toward starting HRT and long-overdue transitioning, it's now been the wait game thanks to the system drowning in COVID cases. This myth that doctors are passing out operations like lollipops? Forget it.
Fuck the QOP. Fuck their bigotry. Fuck them terrorizing the trans community.
Cracklin Charlie
(12,904 posts)Not scary.
I used to grocery shop at the same time as a trans lady. She was always impeccably dressed and styled. Me: sweats.
One day, I saw her, on the local news, singing with a band, who is locally popular for holiday parties, and such.
Next time I saw her at the store, I approached her near the potatoes, and said Did I see you on teevee? She says yeah, I only do the holiday gigs for fun, now.
Me: Yall were great!
Bernardo de La Paz
(48,789 posts)spooky3
(34,303 posts)Kept receiving their junk mail inviting me to apply for a bachelor degree program. I finally wrote them back and told them nicely to go f themselves.
VGNonly
(7,431 posts)The president of Hillsdale, George Roche had a long term relationship with his own daughter-in-law. She committed suicide.
IronLionZion
(45,261 posts)but trans people existing hasn't really impacted my life much so not sure why the GOP obsession with hating them. I guess they have to hate someone.
Botany
(70,291 posts)... base to turn out because they sure as hell don't do anything to help anybody.
In the 50s it was reds and pinkos, then it was MLK and the civil rights people being
communists, then the commies in Vietnam, then the students and the hippies, then
environmentalists, then the NEA, the Gays, then the Muslims, then Hispanics (God only
knows why so many Latino men support right wing shit), then flag burners, then CRT,
then Fauci, the masks, vaccines, and science, and now it is the threat of Trans people.
I just posted about it because it was so unremarkable.
Ms. Toad
(33,915 posts)It is grabbing onto someone (or some group) they hate AND exploiting the hatred of that group to drive conservatives to the polls who will, while there, vote for conservative politicians.
This works best if they select a group/issue liberals are not united on. This cycle it is trans-women athletes & using the bathroom that aligns with their gender. Anytime there is a thread on trans-women athletes, look at the discussion here. There are far too many people who would ban trans-women from women's sports. Because liberals don't agree on it, they know it is safe to say whatever they want and our politicians will not be able to provide leadership on the issue for fear of alienating their own base.
They used my marriage in 2004 to elect George Bush. It worked pretty darn well. And after prioritizing campaigning for Kerry over campaigning agaist issue 1 (Ohio's marriage discrimination amendment), I wandered onto DU and got royally lambasted for losing the election because I couldn't stop bringing up my special pony (recognition of my marriage).
The same thing will happen to trans people, and those of us who love them in this election cycle. Even if all we do is focus on candidates - it will be perceived that it is us bringing up this issue (and refusing to wait in the back of the bus until it is our time).
IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)What it is is a neverending cycle. They want to be elected so they can legislate hate. They throw that red meat to the masses to get elected, so they can take office and sign hate into law. If they succeed, they tell the base they "get things done" and ask for another term - either so they can punch down some more on that group, or pick a new one. If they fail, it's "re-elect me and we'll finish the fight this time" Bottom line is: All they have is hate. They're no longer the party of economic responsibility, or strong defense, or any of that crap. It's just hate. hate. hate.
And, yes.. Since the 2020 election didn't go the way they wanted (hence the neverending tantrum), it's the trans community. Bad. Bathrooms. Sports. Now going after trans kids and their families. When Botany said in the OP (rightfully so) that trans people are going to be the QOP's pet issue this fall, they were exactly right. The only thing in question is how far they'll take it. Introducing bills to arrest adults who are undergoing HRT? Introducing bills making it legal to kill us? And before anyone wants to say I sound insane on that last one: Don't forget that in 2016, some right-wing nut in California gathered enough signatures to get a proposition on the ballot making it legal to kill LGBTQ's. The only reason it didn't go on the ballot was then-AG Kamala Harris said "Hell no - this is illegal" and put a stop to it.
You bring up a good point about issues that liberals don't fully agree on - such as marriage equality in the early 2000's. I'm sorry to say we've seen far too many people on DU (including someone earlier this week) who has made it clear how little they like trans people or the community. We see the ones who are all for completely banning trans athletes, or forcing trans people to use the restroom of their perceived gender. We've seen the ones who have said teens shouldn't be allowed to take hormones. Hell, we've seen ones claiming doctors are mislabeling people as "trans" for not fitting gender norms, and that 41% is a lie. This is why some of us get so angry and push back the way we do. Because what some people see as a "pet issue" or a "wedge issue" or "they're such a small minority that it isn't worth fighting"... this is our fucking lives. This is my life, and the lives of others, we're playing with. The QOP has made it clear they want to ruin or destroy them. When people here take their side on these issues, it's our lives they're risking.
Trans people are humans. Trans rights are human rights. Those who are unwilling to see it - no matter who they vote for - are risking our rights, our safety and our lives.
AllaN01Bear
(17,383 posts)so, do they have gadar , transdar. mine hase been broken for years .
am i supposed to have a warp core breach or meltdown when i sit next to one . and they pay for the operations themselves , fools .
Totally Tunsie
(10,885 posts)It's past time that NOTHING should happen on an occurrence such as this. It IS time to let people be themselves in their sexuality, and the rest of the world should mind its own business. (Not directed at you, Botany!)
Personally, I think the Kinsey scale is closest to my way of thinking - that we are all on a sliding scale of our sexuality, kind of like a timeline, where there is not just male/female, heterosexual/homosexual absolute choices. Instead, we are all somewhere on a continuum in how we measure our attraction to another human. There is no right, wrong, or in between...we just "are".
I'm pleased at your experience where nothing happened. As it should be.
Initech
(99,915 posts)Guess it was slightly better than citing Sam Houston Institute Of Technology!
Jose Garcia
(2,552 posts)IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)I really can't decide if you're sincere or sarcastic.
vercetti2021
(10,150 posts)Not hurting these people at all. Just amazing the nazis on the right think I wanna turn their kids into little gay monsters. Or God forbid a transwoman using a womans restroom to what? Oh to fucking pee. Yeah I'm sure me walking into a mens restroom would be totally safe now.
I came out so late in life at 29 because of the fear I had especially from my father who is a huge bigot. This shit is saving my life. But I know they don't care. They'd rather have me dead. Well I'm not going anywhere and I'm hard to kill now. I'd rather be a pain in the ass and trigger them.
We just wanna enjoy life. No issue from any self righteous piece of shit like those who are insecure and pathetic
IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)One of the things that upsets me the worst are the accusations that LGBTQ's "are going after our children!" This has been used by my so-called family, and even people I thought were friends, to marginalize and target me... "It's nothing personal.. We need to protect the children!" Of course, we are someone's child, and it's funny how we never seem to be thought of by the "protect the children!" crowd. Oh no... It's our job to sacrifice everything for them.
Protect them what? Like I'm so sort of threat to make them gay, trans... or up to something worse? But then, welcome to ass-backwards conservative Murka... Where Jerry Sandusky is seen as the victim of a witch hunt, while innocent LGBTQ's get accused of shit.
Fux Noise beating that drum of late really, really has me angry. And should a trans person be harmed by some Fux Noise zombie, I hope the victim and/or family sue the shit out of them.
mountain grammy
(26,571 posts)We need more parents and trans people speaking out. Amy Schneider was a gift because she was just so normal, and I'm sorry about using that word but can't think of another and that's the point.
From republican governors to Bill Maher, promoting fear and hatred of our fellow human beings because they're not "normal" or in other words, just like us.
I am seriously afraid of the people who refuse to learn about anything outside of their so called comfort zone, and there are many of them to fear.
A couple of years ago my very smart son went on a rant about trans people and how there's no way a child knows anything about gender, etc, etc, etc. I pointed him to a couple of docs I'd seen and several books that really shook him up. He's no expert and neither am I, but education replaces fear, doubt and suspicion.
IngridsLittleAngel
(1,962 posts)He's been a loud, obnoxious transphobe for years, and has gotten too much of a pass from too many people because "He says the right thing on so many issues!" Sorry. Bigotry of any form against anyone is where I give up on someone.
(The secret about Maher, though: He says what he think is most likely to ruffle feathers. His positions are the ones he thinks will cause the most controversy...)
Good on you for educating your son. I agree: Knowledge and education can fix a great many things...
The problem is: What do we do with the ones who'll never be educated because they refuse?
Aristus
(66,096 posts)As for "woke culture"? Yes, I treat my transgender patients as human beings, just like all my other patients. If treating people with dignity and respect is woke, then fine, I'm woke.
Right-wingers can kiss my straight cisgender ass...
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)That alone should make people realize that the culture wars reactionaries already lost the war. Same for all the rest of their reality-denying, equality-denying culture wars issues. The forces of change gathering power with the Enlightenment and Industrial Revolution, and accelerating since are far too big. This revolution is rolled up in many others.
Leyna Bloom aside, I remember reading a trans thread where most were agreeing a lot of trans women they knew worked in computer science and engineering, and science-related fields.
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smirkymonkey
(63,221 posts)my mother died when I was a toddler and my dad remarried so we haven't been close to them. I check in w/ my aunt from time to time, her mother. His name was Teddy, but I forgot what her name is now. However that whole side of the family is pretty right wing which really shocks me.
I don't know them well enough to get into it with them. I know they love her, but I don't know how they can vote the way they do and still claim they support their trans daughter/sister. I wish I knew her better.
The last time I saw her/him was at my brother's wedding about 30 years ago. I am just wondering how she feels knowing how her family votes. I am civil to them about the 2 times per year that I email them or send them a holiday card, but I couldn't take it if they were my own family.