Its different because there is pluralism with in the trans community that is not being represented well.
The voices that are heard most are TRA who are loud and profess they speak for all trans people. They tend to be the ones who hold the absolutionist position that biology does not matter.
The thing is they are at the extreme end of the debate. And this is important.
Moderate voices like Debbie are lost. This is partly because a lot of trans people simply want to be invisible and no one know their hidden pain. It takes a lot for them to speak out, especially when they are shouted down by TRAs and at times even called traitors. Their concerns about the proposed changes to the law are ridden rough shot by TRAs in an aggressive manner. There are many moderates fearful of a backlash against them because they will be tarred with the same brush as the super aggressive and overly defensive TRAs.
Extreme TRAs get all the platform time over the likes of Debbie Hayton because they make a lot of noise and are most involved in politics. Its also down to the dynamic of how media works today. In order to set.up an interesting debate or story to generate clicks / advertising revenue editors look for extreme ends of the.argument. This dynamic and trend has led to extreme islamic clerics over moderates that are more reflective of the whole community getting airtime because its 'more interesting' for audiences. Instead of an educated debate which informs the public you get shock entertainment.
The consequences of shock entertainment is to create distorted pictures of a community.
In the context of the trans debate, it means that elements which are unsavoury are all the public know about.
Given who is driving for what, if we regard TRAs as extremists rather than moderates this puts a whole different context on to how much power and influence they should be getting in politics. Why should we pander to extremists on anything? Especially if it hurts moderates in the community and has wide ranging impact to society - particularly women.
Hayton piece demonstrates well that you can be respectful to women's concerns and also seek and expect respect for being treated as a woman, whilst still not insisting you are a woman. Because you know, the limits of reality. And thats not necessarily bigotry.
I do have major issues with TRAs for this reason and their desire to smash through barriers which don't add rights to themselves, they just remove them from women.
Hayton shines a light on what is reality going on with TRAs and how its not healthy. And ultimately why it should be challenged by offering an alternative moderate perspective that can help build consensus, trust and understanding between communities rather than just fostering more division, anger, resentment and hostility on both sides.
Thats why this piece is so important and does really matter.