If I were to add anything (especially to the AMA video which is truly exceptional) it would be this:
We are. We are here. We exist. There are a number of us from every walk of life, every background, every age. If someone chose to do it, we could be counted.
No one doubts the existence of bees, if they've been stung. They exist too. They too can be counted.
Some of us have known since early childhood, some experience the need later in their life. It doesn't matter. We are here. We could be counted. We've always been here. That is a significant scientific data point in the manner of rational thought. The proposition is supported by this data and it is now a working theory. No matter how many times you drop a ball, it will fall. That was a data point that sparked the "just a theory" of gravity.
This could have been resolved years ago had we the impetus to look into it as a society. But frankly, our society just doesn't care about the minority. Pick any minority and until they can be supported by another group, the impetus for change, for research, for anything, it never happens. Just look at what the gays and lesbians have done for US!
I'm hopeful that one day we will know for a fact what causes this. But we do know that it happens. This is established. We know it is not a learned behavior. This too is established. We know that nearly everyone who self identifies with something other than who they appear to be, would rather be "just normal." This can be observed. And in terms of scientific evidence. This is it.
Now all you have to do is help someone understand the difference between rational thought and irrational thought. You'll also have to define the term proposition, which is just a guess or belief, and theory based on evidence, so it's pretty much a fact. You know, like gravity.
Now with all that said. It is impossible to argue with someone's belief system. I certainly don't won't argue beliefs with anyone. Not only is it counterproductive but we all have our personal beliefs of some sort or another. I don't like to go there. I too am of the opinion that the therapist is about to shame a belief system to some degree because it has no evidence either. It might work. It may backfire. There is certainly more "evidence" for our trans existence than is supported from the scripture side for all of humanity's existence. I'm talking scientific methodology here and I'm not bashing nor do I wish to minimize anyone's personal beliefs.
And if you do decide to pull a scriptural verse, check out the eunuch references in the King James or older translations of the Bible. Subsequent editions have changed the words to lose the whole eunuch thing to make it more... I don't know what, actually. I think that current day Bible writers don't like the fact that people used to self emasculate themselves or that WE continue that proud tradition. One of the verses actually says that self inflicted eunuchs are closer to God and shall be rewarded... or something to that effect. And technically by that simple definition we are self inflicted eunuchs, am I right? But I really don't like that definition. I prefer woman, she, her, you know the drill.
"Just the facts, ma'am."
Cindi
