A tactic to start off the convo without needing to be critical of trans people at all - can you use a very British approach (disclaimer THIS IS OBVIOUSLY LIGHTHEARTED BUT WITH A SERIOUS UNDERTONE... possible script a la
“I say old chap/chapess, have you heard about this new law they want to bring in for trans people?
No, what’s that then?
Well, apparently they want to make it easier to change sex. Just signing a form. Sounds great for them, used to be they had to get an operation. Surprised they are not even keeping the Dr’s letter bit, but there you go. They won’t even need hormones, apparently. It’s amazing.
[Responses to this will of course vary... and you will probably find out more about your interlocutor’s stance and how much they already know]
Well, old chap... it’s all very well and good, but I wonder what they are going to do about the unintended consequences? (you could scratch your chin or tilt your head at this point. Look concerned. Gaze into the distance. Etc.)
Unintended consequences, you say? What’s that then?
Well, I mean, obviously it’s great news for people who are genuinely struggling (not that I fully understand it myself), but what about the chancers/[perves/jokers/folk acting in bad faith- you can of course adjust the tone throughout depending on your audience] ?
Chancers? What do you mean?
Well if it’s that easy anyone could do it, couldn’t they?
But that’ll never happen/men wouldn’t do that etc etc!
Well, I don’t know... do you really think so? It’s easier than [becoming a [teacher/priest/foster cared —- use best example for your audience], isn’t it? To go into the ladies where the women and little kids are, you know?
But but... that’s transphobic!
Oh no I am not talking about the genuine ones, I’m talking about folk who will want to abuse it...
Oh but you just would call security if there was a dodgy one in there...
Well, yes, normally I would, but the trouble with this new law is that it says doing that would be a hate crime.. and with Posie Parker being arrested for [explain facts] and that feminist lady getting banned from Twitter for saying [what did she say exactly?] I just worry that security might be too worried about being accused of transphobia to do anything... and I might even get in trouble myself. It’s a pickle isn’t it old chap/chappess?”
Hopefully by this point you have managed to cause a few things to dawn on your interlocutor ... obviously peppering it with examples is ideal if you can. Because there will be unintended consequences and even the trans supporters should see that.
But surely they [The all powerful They, again] will make sure they draft the law in such a way that it can’t be abused?
Well, you’d think so, wouldn’t you? But I’m not sure. I mean even the existing exemptions don’t seem to be be being used.... [throw-in a few examples appropriate to your audience eg girl guides, prisons, refuges, schools etc]
But that’s terrible! [maybe...or you will certainly have a sense by now what they think!] but they are surely not real trans people?
Well, I don’t know? Who is a real trans person nowadays? I mean it used to be someone who had had surgery “down there”, you know? But that’s not needed any more, apparently...and without hormones or a diagnosis, well, I mean, it’s not as though you have to do much to get these rights... how could you be sure it really wasn’t just a phase? Or as I say, some kind of cad using these new laws in bad faith [add appropriate facial expression at this point if you deem it helpful...]
Hmmmm. Do you really think so?
I don’t know. It’s all so complicated. I do hope they get the wording of it all right. Is there a consultation on this, do you know? Maybe we should write to our MPs or something... or maybe we can start a petition.. I’ll check on the gov.uk website... oooh look there already is one!!!!
The key is to keep bringing it back to unintended consequences
Do not attack TiMs
Hopefully this helps raise it with unwitting folks around you in RL
Feedback welcome