I think the damage is greater than issues discussed on this board.
DH tells me this week is intersectionality week. Roll out the rainbow lanyards (again). Have some white man cheerlead for specialness, apparently his 'lesbian' sister is in a relationship with a transwoman. The organisation, like many many others no longer seems to care why women from some ethnic groups seem to hit a career ceiling at relatively low levels, whether outsourced cleaners are paid minimum wage, whether there is sufficient disability support, or indeed whether merit is rewarded. A certain sort of special, the Stonewall sort, is the priority.
Ditto for young people. Young women seem far more aware of the dangers of date rape, or of 'creepy' guys who have watched too much porn than we were. The druggie element at college seems more druggy, gay social life seems wilder, anxiety and depression more prevalent, suicide more commonplace, and employment prospects bleaker. Yet, ta dah, DDs student peers will be getting gender neutral toilets. Because, as we know, the Stonewall special, are more special.
Beyond competing rights, thete is opportunity cost. For every Pips Bunce mentoring his board on trans-rights is a chance missed to promote equality for groups who need it. Every gender neutral toilet at University is money not spent on disability access, or on general student welfare or on supporting students on contextual offers.
Ruth Hunt will probably not understand. She was simply 'doing her job'. She is not the sort of person we want in the Lords, pushing for a successful meritocratic and caring society.