@RedToothBrush
Honestly, I think it is fear on both sides. And the fears are legitimate, but they are being handled in a very reactionary manner. Trans people are afraid of losing rights and being murdered, which may sound very dramatic, but I am legitimately afraid to leave my house because I live in a rural area, and the only time local people discuss trans issues, are usually because a trans person has been harassed or beaten. And I think it is the same on the opposite side. Women are afraid that their voices are not being heard and are afraid of losing rights as well. Because women are also targeted for harassment solely because of their identity. I think both sides are dismissing each others fears, because they feel their worries are more valid. So instead of respecting each other and trying to compromise, it is becoming a battle where nobody is winning.
@StarfishSunrise
I can understand your worries and questions, being trans is usually confusing enough for the person experiencing it nevermind loved ones having to go through it. Puberty is one of the roughest times for a trans person, because that is when you body really starts to change, and for dysphoric people, it is cruel. There is a chance that your son has found some good online resources, and that is why they aren't really speaking about it much, and there is also the chance that your child is just exploring gender, as it is seen as more acceptable to do so now, I think you should just keep and eye on them, and as long as their behaviour doesn't turn destructive, let them keep exploring in healthy ways. They may decide not to go ahead with transition. But it heartens me to see you have an open mind.
@UpstartCrow
I have to admit, when I first heard about self ID, I was excited. The prospect of the financial and stressful process to currently gain a GRC weighs heavy on my mind, and I saw it as a way to ease that process for trans and non binary people. But I also think it is dangerous to go from one extreme to the other, I think it should be easier to gain a GRC, but it shouldn't be a free for all either. It is already hard enough to gain access to healthcare as a trans person, so self ID would take some of the strain off, but it is clearly an issue that effects more than just trans people.
@tiktok
The issue with trans healthcare is not so much lack of rights as it is lack of resources. I live in Northern Ireland where there is only one Gender Identity Clinic for the whole country, the waiting times are atrocious. But then again, that is an issue with most specialist treatments on the NHS. There are still countless institutions, such as doctors offices, banks etc etc that refuse to let trans people change their names, even when presented with a deed poll. So it is not so much that we need more rights, but that we need our current rights to be enforced throughout institutions.
@TinkletinkleLittlebat
I think education is needed on both sides. Transwomen especially need to realise that safe spaces exist for a reason. I had an experience last year (which was populated by only trans, nonbinary and intersex people) where we had a number of closed safe spaces. Where people who had experience with a certain issue or identity had access to. And it made me realise how important those spaces are. I do think transwomen should have access to certain safe spaces, but if the space is a closed safe space for women who were born women, then I think that should be respected too. I see myself as a woman, which I know is a controversial opinion, but I am also self aware enough to know I was raised with male privilege, and my experiences and perceptions of womanhood will never be the same as someone born into it.