Note 1: While this was made in response to various trans-folk related threatds, I've noticed this happen under other LGBT threads as well. While this OP will be focused on trans related issues, feel free to discuss this happening in other LGBT-related threads.
Note 2: I myself am not trans and do not wish for folks to use this to silence other trans folk. I also want to state that though I did consult with trans folk in the creation of this thread, I do not speak for the trans community.
Era, we need to have a discussion about how we respond to the plight and feelings of the LGBT community, especially if one is not a part of this community. Many times in the past couple of weeks/months I've noticed posts responding to an OP, particularly with trans related issues, with either dimissal or derrision. There is an attempt by people who are not trans to dismiss the OP and any trans folk as simple "outrage" without really listening to why they are upset. There will be attempts to categorize the anger and hurt of trans folk as simple "cancel culture" and to dismiss dissapointment or sorrow as bile and anger. There is a false attempt to tell trans folk to forgive and forget without actually addressing the problem in the first place in the name of "solidarity". And it needs to stop.
This cannot continue. Trans folk deserve to be heard without this dismisal of thier views, particularly when it involves trans rights. Being an "ally" does not give you the same voice to outshout and silence trans folk about trans topics. If you do so, you're not actually being an ally.
In addition, criticising an action as transphobic is not the same thing as "cancel culture" or "the left eating itself". Trans folk criticize these actions to in order to inform the person making these statements as well as those reading the criticism about this to prevent the same mistake from happening again. To dismiss such criticism simply silences the voices of the trans community.
Furthermore, "cancelling" someone means to not buy their product, which last I checked was called consumer rights. And even if "cancelling" meant this censure you seem to think it does, none of the people that were cancelled actually went away so it's not like it even worked if that was the actual purpose.
Bottom line, trans folk should not have to be worried to defend their opinions by those who are not trans. You should listen to them and try to understand, not dismiss them and yell at them to ignore their pain.
Note 2: I myself am not trans and do not wish for folks to use this to silence other trans folk. I also want to state that though I did consult with trans folk in the creation of this thread, I do not speak for the trans community.
Era, we need to have a discussion about how we respond to the plight and feelings of the LGBT community, especially if one is not a part of this community. Many times in the past couple of weeks/months I've noticed posts responding to an OP, particularly with trans related issues, with either dimissal or derrision. There is an attempt by people who are not trans to dismiss the OP and any trans folk as simple "outrage" without really listening to why they are upset. There will be attempts to categorize the anger and hurt of trans folk as simple "cancel culture" and to dismiss dissapointment or sorrow as bile and anger. There is a false attempt to tell trans folk to forgive and forget without actually addressing the problem in the first place in the name of "solidarity". And it needs to stop.
This cannot continue. Trans folk deserve to be heard without this dismisal of thier views, particularly when it involves trans rights. Being an "ally" does not give you the same voice to outshout and silence trans folk about trans topics. If you do so, you're not actually being an ally.
In addition, criticising an action as transphobic is not the same thing as "cancel culture" or "the left eating itself". Trans folk criticize these actions to in order to inform the person making these statements as well as those reading the criticism about this to prevent the same mistake from happening again. To dismiss such criticism simply silences the voices of the trans community.
Furthermore, "cancelling" someone means to not buy their product, which last I checked was called consumer rights. And even if "cancelling" meant this censure you seem to think it does, none of the people that were cancelled actually went away so it's not like it even worked if that was the actual purpose.
Bottom line, trans folk should not have to be worried to defend their opinions by those who are not trans. You should listen to them and try to understand, not dismiss them and yell at them to ignore their pain.