I've let this run and the responses, on both sites, have been interesting. Education, particularly in the need to let people know that we are no danger, no different, no threat to them comes through from many as a key target.
This is a concept that also came through in the LGB community in their drives for acceptance. They started promoting through literature and art etc of their normality.
We appear to be reluctant to do that.
Yes there are specific legal problems in treatment, particularly in rescuing minors with puberty blockers, same sex marriage, availability of medical services.
But in the USA that would seem a long way a way when basic toileting needs appear to be a problem. Where the lack of anti-discrimination law, or the inability to enforce them is still a burning issue, and there appears an ingrained 'belief' that discrimination against the 'different' is a right, regardless of the difference. There appears to be a need for general education that people are different to each other and that acceptance of differences is an important part of humanity, a thing to be not only accepted but to be welcomed.
That seems a long way off.
The other issue that seems to come through on a different level is fear.
"Yes! please someone do something but for god's sake never let me be identified as 'one of them'. Please someone do something but no I'm too busy to be involved."
Strangely this has also come from the professional area as well. 'Yes there needs to be change but I'm too busy to push it' is an non-stated attitude but one that appears to prevail.
Why?
Change is never accomplished without people discussing the need for it. It takes little risk to write a letter or an email to a newspaper of politician that discrimination is terrible and has to be addressed. But we appear to be reluctant to do so, and yet very many people have served in their country's armed forces to protect their country and people they love.
In another thread someone asked 'where are the leaders?' I think leaders appear when there is a need. At the moment the trans* community is too fragmented to be led. How do we change that?
So where next? How do we move forward?