I can understand the concept of trans race, as so much of race is about cultural constructs as well as biology.
I also have no problem with transsexual people. The decision to go through surgery etc is not exactly for lolz.
I have a huge problem with this definition though: Stonewall now defines transgender as "any person whose gender identity and/or gender expression does not conform to conventional ideas of male or female gender, or the sex they were assigned at birth. This includes all binary and non-binary gender identities and those who have an absence of gender identity."
This definition seems to have been decided upon by trans individuals. As such, though the above might be their experience, it does not differentiate from non-trans men and women, who also don't conform to conventional gender stereotypes.
My mum has incredibly short hair, wears "masculine" clothes, has no interest in make up, is gay, and is the least stereotypically "feminine" woman you could ever meet. However, she does not identify as trans, even though she would meet the above definition.
The reason she doesn't is because of biology. She has breasts, a vagina, had periods, birthed a child and experienced the -bastard- menopause.
More importantly, because of that biology, she has been treated by society as a woman and, as such, has experienced sexism from a young age, in all its restrictive, misogynistic glory. She has experienced this in school, the workplace, within family and friends, through books, tv, the media and wider society.
She is also the same age as Caitlyn Jenner. I would love to know how Caitlyn Jenner, and other people who label themselves as transgender, "know" what it is to feel like a woman? Caitlyn doesn't share my mum's biology, and cannot claim to have experienced the world as a female throughout her life? As, prior to transition, she has never been a woman, how does she know she feels like one? She can't, therefore it must come down to either body dysmorphia or gender roles.
I have great sympathy with those people who suffer genuine gender dysmorphia, though I do find it concerning that all other forms of dysmorphia we treat as a mental illness. However, in the absence of treating the dysmorphia adequately through non-invasive means, then to undertake measures such as HRT and surgery would, one would hope reduce the suffering experienced.
I do not understand, however, individuals who claim to be trans due to not meeting the gender stereotypes of their biological sex. Surely the answer to this, rather than identifying as member of the opposite sex, is to widen the constraints of gender stereotypes? And that liking dresses and makeup doesn't mean you're a woman, any more than being a "tomboy" makes a girl a boy. It's the concept of gender which needs to widen.
On a separate note, if transpeople experience more attacks, negativity and violence, can I ask more than who? I am just wondering, if this is particularly prevalent amongst transwomen, whether society is now viewing the person as female, so they are simply experiencing the violence which many non-trans women experience every day?