LaSqrrl, as BoreofWhabylon surmises, I do not disagree with you. I just think that it helps to understand not only why the meaning of some words is so important to your own side, e.g. the significance of the meaning of ‘woman’ for sex based laws and protections, but also why words are so important to the other side from their perspective.
I said I was only going to post once and then de-register, but there are some other things I want to say.
To begin with, I thought the issue of pronouns was a trivial (albeit tiresome) imposition. I now think it’s an example of one of the most important issues: not just freedom of speech, but denying people the very words necessary to articulate and communicate their own thoughts, their own beliefs, and even objective reality. Instead people are being forced to use words and definitions which are intended to express the beliefs of others, and to validate their identity. An identity which is so fragile - because it is so at odds with reality - that it needs to be propped up by the willing or unwilling participation of everyone around them.
It’s common for sub-cultures and marginal groups, including each new generation of teenagers and young adults, to invent and use their own language and words and create new, additional meanings for existing words, e.g. the use of ‘wicked’ to mean good.
Such use of words by minority groups helps to bind the group together and reinforce the sense of distinct identity of its members. Unlike other typical forms of outward expression of self-identification as part of group, such as wearing particular types of clothing or hairstyles etc., using a private language and words is about shaping and directing the thoughts, beliefs and discussions of members. It is also often a way of excluding outsiders; a way for members of a marginalised group to slightly redress the power imbalance that usually exists between them and the majority.
Prior to homosexuality being decriminalised Polari was used in particular by gay people in the theatrical/entertainment industry, and some of the words entered wider usage, e.g. ‘rough trade’ and ‘Naff off!’. As homosexuality became more widely accepted in society, Polari’s use declined. There is not much need for a private language for a group which is increasingly mainstream, such as gay people in the entertainment industry.
The difference with transgenderism is that as it has become more mainstream and widely accepted, it has sought - and is seeking - to impose its words and its definitions of the meaning of existing words on the rest of society. And this concerns not just any old words, but words as fundamental and basic to human communication as ‘woman’ and the third person singular personal pronouns.
A key reason for this is that it is an ideology which is about self-identification and nothing else, and it needs the Emperor’s Clothes of new words and new meanings for existing words, in order to give itself the illusion of substance. Set aside the mental health disorder aspects and the sexuality aspects, and there is nothing else left: it’s a vacuum. Unlike other sub-groups which almost invariably enrich our culture (e.g. the huge contribution of homosexuals to the arts, or sub-groups which spawned numerous musical genres like punk), transgenderism is so hopelessly self-obsessed and inward looking that it contributes nothing to society; it’s a barren, sterile construct.
(Before anyone mentions Eddie Izzard and Grayson Perry, they are talented individuals of a former generation who would probably have succeeded in their fields whether or not they were transvestites, and I think their work is both universal and particular to them, rather than a product of any transgender culture.)
The insistence of a tiny group of people that words and speech are modified to validate their identity is an intrusive mental and emotional drain not only on those around them in real life, but on many more people online as well, as this website demonstrates.
I think there is also another much simpler reason why many, especially young male, transgender people want to impose their words and definitions of the meaning of existing words on everyone else, which is that it alters the balance of power with people who are often older/senior and/or much more privileged. I think many of them get a kick out of forcing people constantly to walk on eggshells as they watch their language, and in making them use words in complete opposition to their accepted/real meaning. It’s not a marginal group using its own language and words to exclude the rest of society; instead it’s a forced oppressive inclusion of the rest of society into using the group’s words and meanings.
Finally, LaSqrrl your mention of Dittany reminds me that much of what she wrote went completely over my head at the time. Sadly it is not possible to revisit those threads and read them with fresh eyes, because her posts have been deleted. That is a great loss and it would be very enlightening to read those posts now given the current situation.