Do you feel the trans community is too sensitive to challenging views

[stephaniec]

(disclaimer: this question has absolutely nothing remotely concerned with any view held by anyone on any particular online site, Its a question regarding our community as a whole) Do you think certain opinions which have been made taboo in parts of some transgender communities or transgender communities as a whole  are justifiably held too sensitive to discuss  within the transgender community. I'm just curious because I've always believed the only solution to negate harmful opinion is to civilly and intellectually discuss and ponder opposing views in order to disarm and nullify any poisonous effects. In the medical field when treating an infected wound , you clean the wound and disinfect . You wouldn't take an infected wound and sew it up hiding the infection from view in hopes it goes away. I was just curious because there seems to be an attitude( just conjecture on my part) in the trans community as a whole that the way to solve problems is to treat them as   too sensitive . ( please understand this question is in no way to be taken as a provocation, it is only intended as a learning tool)

[Zoetrope]

In a word - yes. Our situation is only just hitting the mainstream. We still have a *lot* to debate.

We need to allow these debates, respect each others opinions, and avoid making decisions based on emotion.

We need to allow people to disagree with us. We need to respond to that with grace, not defensively.

The real world can be a tough place - nobody gets far by being meek, and trying not to hurt others' feelings. If we want to be a part of broader society, we need to take what comes with it.

[Rejennyrated]

Yes completely.

I always find it a bit sad when people feel the need to shut down and censor challenging views in public internet space because I believe we have strong convincing answers to these challenges. Giving those answers, as Stephanie says, makes us look strong and reasonable and our oponents weak and unreasonable.

When we censor comments and challenges, or take offence at them, it makes us look as though we are affraid and that is hugely counterproductive.

However I will qualify that. My views above pertain to debate in public spaces like general news websites etc. In a place like this forum, where have people who are coming here for support, and are therefore sometimes in a fragile mental state, it is right that we excerise a measure of restraint, and that some subjects are censored. I don't like that necessity, but I recognise that it is necessary.

Speaking for myself I'm quite robust enough to take the knocks. If I wasn't I certainly wouldn't be training as a doctor, but one has to remember that not everyone is in that place, and therefore I would hope that those of us who do hold challenging views (I certainly do) would moderate our expression of them while we are here.

[suzifrommd]

I think the opposite.

I think the trans community is too slow to respond to outrageous lies spread about us from all quarters: Churches who say that what we do is evil and unnatural. Those who say we're pretending to be someone we're not. Government types who want to require us to submit to surgery in order to change documentation or prove our eligibility to use a certain restroom. Doctors and psychologists who say we are not competent to decide whether we want HRT or surgery. Judges who say we're not fit to raise our own kids.

I'm eager for the day when our community answers the hateful untruths that are spoken daily with a strong voice of its own.

[Zoetrope]

I think the trans community is too slow to respond to outrageous lies spread about us from all quarters: Churches who say that what we do is evil and unnatural.

I am for activism, but within limits.

For example, I think that religious groups have a right to hold their opinions. For us to ask them to change their minds, is like them asking us to change ours.

We are not fighting to dominate or to win. What we want is to co-exist.

[stephaniec]

I personally just like tame open discourse . Education is of the upmost in blunting the swords of ignorance and hate. I agree on private or support sites where some are going through rough space there is no need to cause harm, but sensitively being open minded within the frame work of a supporting facility where everyone is there to support , I really don't see the need to be too cautious unless your discussing self harm.

[kelly_aus]

I find the trans community gets way too emotional about many things, which many people see as a justification for their claims that the community is mentally unstable. Until the community, as a whole, can learn to have a rational discourse on topics that may be somewhat emotive, it will not get very far.

[Zoetrope]

I find the trans community gets way too emotional about many things, which many people see as a justification for their claims that the community is mentally unstable. Until the community, as a whole, can learn to have a rational discourse on topics that may be somewhat emotive, it will not get very far.

Totally agreed. We need to make a good example for ourselves. If a trans person jumps down somebody's throat for using the wrong terms or whatever, it does us no favours.

[Mariah]

Thread locked for admin review. It's clear this subject crosses lines with possible TOS violations. As a result, we are locking it because no good can come of it if we can't stay within the narrow focus mentioned by the OP.
Mariah