Sun Oct 21, 2012 at 06:48 PM PDT
On Sexual Reassignment
by coolelegans
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/21/1148074/-On-Gender-ReassignmentThere was a diary in which the author expressed her opinion that sexual reassignment is immoral. Two things happened, one is that she received a backlash from the community, and the second is that the diarist apologized, but continued to hold her beliefs. I have strong sympathy for both the diarist and those offended. But I want to take a measured approach, as my own father, a very conservative Hindu, held exactly the same beliefs as the diarist. I don't know the diarist, but I know my father. He is a good man, and he doesn't want to hurt anyone, but as religious people go, he hold strong morals. However, once I explained to him the science for protecting the rights of transsexuals, Im proud to say that he changed his opinion on the subject, and supports the rights of all transsexuals. My advice to the community is rather than attacking the person, we should explain. When we attack, the person will become defensive, and will be immune to any logical argument that follows. she will be only more entrenched in her beliefs. When, I sat my father down and explained to him the facts, he said "I didn't know. Thank you for telling me". My father didn't need to issue a non-apology apology because he UNDERSTOOD. So that is what this diary- its an attempt to get people to understand.
[...]
My sister is a pediatrician. She once saw a patient in the emergency room who had just attempted to commit suicide. He was a transsexual, rejected by his family and by society. She saved his life, and tried to get him counseling. But it was too late, the poor boy already had too many emotional scars. His second suicide attempt succeeded.
