How to Spot Anti-Trans Concern Trolls

Brynn Tannehill
Posted: 08/29/2015

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/brynn-tannehill/how-to-spot-antitrans-con_b_8055816.html

A concern troll is a person who participates in a debate posing as an actual or potential ally who simply has some concerns they need answered before they will ally themselves with a cause. In reality they are a critic, or flat out someone who wishes harm upon the transgender community.

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A Facebook friend posted this. One more reason I LOVE Brynn Tannehill.

I also posted this to Facebook. What a great article!

Wow,

Ive been doing people a misjustice.

I read, most of the op-ed's that get links posted here, And not once did I ever think, a person wrote this, a person researched this.

Not untill, I went to find out who "Brynn Tannehill" was.
I feel so bad, There are a lot of people making an effort to help make life better for me, and I a benficiery of that effort, Never once though to be greatfull for it.

In contrast, I see a lot of links posted here, and think wow Im glad this person Is making me awear of this study, this message. But never actvally thought, This persons work.

Im feeling quite ashamed of that.

SO thank you suzi, for giving this link a name to be greatfull for. And helping me to realise that all the other op-ed's that get posted here too will have a person to be greatfull for. And for that highlight Im gratfull too.

It's useful to know this - although some trans people legitimately have some of these these concerns too. I know I was seriously worried about regret (especially since my first attempt at transition tanked). I also wondered that if society was non gendered if I would feel more comfortable with myself - for example I had been feeling kind of sort of OK about myself until a teensy gender discrimination issue at work kicked me into the depths of despair. After my first attempt at transition I believed that it was just a thing in my head and I could get over it, of course I was only living in denial but it was still a belief/concern.

Brilliant article! Thanks for posting this.

I got the impression a concern troll, didnt follow up on there refferences? And for the most part speak about other people,

eg, a trans person, "somtimes I think it would be better if, society was like this, then i dont think I would have to transition."

Concern Troll, , if society was different you wouldnt need to transition. Its society that needs to change.

Perspective? Yeah i had thoughts like this too. but, I think more about it, and realise that society cant get to being like that, and even then then there is no garantie I wouldnt still fell as I do.

The troll doesnt get that far, in there thoughts

Quote from: ButterflyVicksterConcern Troll, , if society was different you wouldnt need to transition. Its society that needs to change.

For FTMs with a lesbian history, there's an even more pernicious version. It goes like this:  "If society were different you wouldn't need to transition. Society needs to change, and if you transition you'll be preventing it from changing."

It's very effective. Don't ask me how I know this. 

That's such a terrible argument though. Don't change yourself to be happy, change ALL OF SOCIETY instead. Riiiiight...

So how does "be the change you wish to see in the world" apply here?

Not wanting to derail here but that particular one always particularly amuses me because it completely misses the point that many of us do this enirely and solely because we want to modify our naughty bits and not because we have any problem with our assigned societal role... and changing society wouldnt ever have fixed my body to be what I wanted. So this particular "concern" is actually a massive fail in comprehension.

  Good article. I had concern trolls with my neuropathy problem. These, aerospace engineer friends mind you, wanted me to try out that federally illegal leafy substance that is proliferating in my state for pain relief for a year now! The type of neuropathy was found and that stuff may interfere with the treatment for this particular type I am taking now that is 90% effective! Trolls or pushers, I don't know. I think they want me gone?

Joelene

Bonus information re: no 6: I had the privilege of meeting dr Dehjne a few years ago, and she is NOT happy about the way her study is used to undermine trans rights. She is in fact a strong advocate for the right to transition, and works clinically with transgender patients.

I read this article earlier in the week. I found it very useful. Some of those concern trolls are clever but I see through it now.