As tempting as it is to just think something along the lines of “everyone is just hateful and dumb” I think it’s entirely possible that there is some fundamental issue with our messaging. Focus on the things you can control.
Considering these freaks have been killing us for centuries I’m going to disagree. I think the ability to not easily be silenced, to share stories globally that won’t simply be erased by “taking care of” someone is what’s actually pissing them off.
I think this is definitely part of it, but there’s a key point that you’re both missing: Conservatives need someone to hate.
In the past it was gay people, abortion, that sort of thing. But gay rights are now very much supported by a majority of people, and abortion is either illegal federally in the US, or well supported in places it’s legal (which was also true of the US). So, they needed a new scapegoat to whip up furore against and, unfortunately, we happen to be it. I think especially because we’re so much more visible these days, that it’s easy to point to us as a problem. Back in the 90s, when we were much more hidden, most people wouldn’t have cared. But these days, most people have met (or at least seen) a trans person. The unfamiliar can be uncomfortable for people, and some choose not to address that, letting themselves be easily taken advantage of. As various conservative parties across the world have seen this to be an effective method of sowing division, they’ve adopted these policies for themselves.
As tempting as it is to just think something along the lines of “everyone is just hateful and dumb” I think it’s entirely possible that there is some fundamental issue with our messaging. Focus on the things you can control.
Considering these freaks have been killing us for centuries I’m going to disagree. I think the ability to not easily be silenced, to share stories globally that won’t simply be erased by “taking care of” someone is what’s actually pissing them off.
I think this is definitely part of it, but there’s a key point that you’re both missing: Conservatives need someone to hate.
In the past it was gay people, abortion, that sort of thing. But gay rights are now very much supported by a majority of people, and abortion is either illegal federally in the US, or well supported in places it’s legal (which was also true of the US). So, they needed a new scapegoat to whip up furore against and, unfortunately, we happen to be it. I think especially because we’re so much more visible these days, that it’s easy to point to us as a problem. Back in the 90s, when we were much more hidden, most people wouldn’t have cared. But these days, most people have met (or at least seen) a trans person. The unfamiliar can be uncomfortable for people, and some choose not to address that, letting themselves be easily taken advantage of. As various conservative parties across the world have seen this to be an effective method of sowing division, they’ve adopted these policies for themselves.