When I'm out as my true self I don't run into much trouble and that's a good thing. It's then that I think there might be hope that the population stops caring so much about transpeople and how we live our lives. On the other hand whenever I come across an article on transpeople on the net.... It matters not if the article is about someone famous or just an average person, the trolls line up at the door for their chance to put transpeople down. To put it into "safe for work" terms these people believe that what you are born with between your legs defines who you are for your entire life and you best deal with it and not transition. Asking them why will often result in an insult but never  a good answer.

It really just depends on where you are. I live in Alabama and a transgender person here is basically like a monster, it is just unheard of. In California on the other hand, I am sure it is much better; the more population and diversity, the more accepting a place will be.

Go back 10 years and people were the same with homosexuals. The world is progressing, we just have to give it time.

Even people who disapprove of us rarely make trouble. There are nutcases who are after us but that can be said for cis women as well. Life is inherently dangerous and anyone, cis or trans can meet someone who wishes them ill. We have a long way to go to be accepted universally, but in many places trans people can have great lives.

Living in the PC Utopia of the NYC metro area I know people will more often then not act in a manner polite society dictates. Get them alone with no PC police around and out comes the true feelings. Or when it's OK to pile on like the Caitlyn Jenner media debacle of almost universal negativity

People do say things online that they wouldn't say in real life. There are few uncontroversial subjects and everyone has an opinion (and thinks they're an expert  ).

I've noticed with news articles that the commenters seem to be unaware that trans people also read - very much an us-and-them situation where they expect everyone else to be complicit in their bigotry, happily I've never been alone in objecting to such statements...

I know in the south people can really surprise you at how nice they can be. I always thought going through transition and after the south would be terrible. Turns out its not all bad. It can be at times though

 
This is just a warning to make sure this thread doesn't become an issue. Lets avoid bashing and keep it civil. Thanks
Mariah

People love to troll and reactionary people that perceive that their loss of privileged in society's changes love to demonstrate this when they can be anonymous.

Mostly though in an increasingly accepting world, they are just trying to get a rise out of people. just remember there is a lot more people that support us. Internet comments are not a good sample. Face to face i have seen perhaps, 85% positive, 10% indifferent and 5% negative. Perhaps this shifts slightly behind my back but i don't really worry about that.

Being transgendered is tolerated at best where i live.

I think the two main issues are the disparity between real-life and the internet, and passability. For the most part, people generally tolerate each other in civilized society. We know we're all just people getting by, and we usually leave each other alone save for isolated incidents. Everyone has their own opinions on everything and everyone but the reason our society is as functional as it is, is because we know being intolerant to everyone would be chaotic so we keep to ourselves (again save for isolated incidents). On the internet, we can let it out with a degree of detachment and anonymity. I don't think a lot of the disparaging remarks online against trans people should be taken too personally. It's entirely possible for someone to state a blanket opinion online and then be fine with an individual in person. The same goes for many other groups that are hated on.

Then there's the issue of passability. I hate to make it a thing, but people can be shallow on top of being judgmental. Having 'passing-privilege', I haven't had hardly any issues in transitioning. About 2-3% of men I've talked with online or in-person (out of a large pool of men) have had an issue with me being trans. However, this is usually after they find out that I'm not cis. And even then, I'd say half of that 2-3% end up being curious and at least try to be respectful as they ask questions and try to educate themselves. So I've experienced a lot of tolerance and admiration. Far more than I expected when I started out. But again I believe this is because I pass and am attractive.

That's my perspective anyway. I'm sure others will feel differently.

Mod Edit singling out groups removed

Locking for review

  Thread is unlocked but be careful about singling out groups