I think it proves that some Labour members think being progressive is to support something which they don't fully understand and can't be arsed to find out more about because its not really what they are interested in, or are too easily swept along with following what everyone else around them says they should believe in, rather than doing the research themselves, thinking critically and forming their own opinion back on the information they find in the process.
Basically its just laziness and a trendy current cause which gets a certain type of publicity for them.
Same goes for a lot of people who identify as young, progressive and liberal. There is a misconception of what being liberal and progressive means, and obviously pro-trans is always progressive isn't it? Well it is, isn't it? Cos they are all powerless victims of the right and nasty unprogressive feminists? And its the same as this lazy comparison with homophobia.
To criticise the trans lobby is to not be liberal and progressive and thus this means its also as much about their own identity of being liberal and progressive as it is about having a trans-identity. It means that is essential to support the trans lobby, rather than look at it in a more critical manner.
It has become very difficult to look at the issue as a liberal/ progressive who really believes in the extension of rights and reconcile this with the trans-lobby with any reservations you might have about it as a result of that.
Any such criticism is labelled as small-mindedness for a reason. To silence it.
Who wants to take on the more difficult role of critically thinking about this, when you are going to get smeared in the process as not being liberal / progressive? Politicians on the left are frankly, often too chicken shit to do that.
For anything to be democratic and to truly enhance rights and protect the vulnerable there needs to be an honest and transparent debate on the subject. This is not happening.
This is the betrayal of women. This is the betrayal of many trans-people too ironically.
The whole debate has been framed as a left v right or a progressive v conservative thing, rather than something which is about equality for all which acknowledges all the problems, conflicts of differing interests and underlying fears properly. Instead the mentality is simply to railroad things through without proper consideration. There in lies the real issue, which will only cause problems and heartache in the long run.