What broader issues has the trans (lack of) debate opened your eyes to?

[FredFlintstonesTunic]

For me, it's really exposed how large media platforms (i.e., a few very rich and powerful people) can shape public perceptions (e.g., by blocking, shaming, nudging and belittling certain ideas and/or people, and promoting others).

I'm no longer so quick to dismiss other people's unusual opinions, or to label them "conspiracists" without looking as openly as possible into what they're talking about (including from sources associated with intelligent people not necessarily in the mainstream media). I don't trust Wikipedia (or Urban Dictionary) without question (which I shouldn't have anyway, but...). I have more respect for people who are willing to say unpopular things (e.g., left-wingers who don't like the EU). In general, I'm far more likely to take news stories with a pinch of salt.

Anyone else?

I'm bi. I'm also repelled by anyone who says "hearts before parts" or "attraction beyond gender". The heart of such a person is incompatible with mine because I will not date anyone who does not respect the sexual boundaries of monosexuals.

I will not date anyone who does not respect the sexual boundaries of monosexuals.

This, exactly.

It's the not accepting that other people's boundaries may be different to one's own that I really hate. Same as when they say "sexuality is fluid" - yes, I'm sure it is for some people, but not for everyone, and this is not actually a problem that needs solving.

People not wanting to have sex with (insert whichever person or group of people they don't want to have sex with) is never a problem, imo, and if someone thinks it is they have a serious issue with understanding and respecting boundaries. Nobody needs a reason, much less one that other people agree is valid (presumably there will be a vote?), "I don't want to" should always be good enough.

It went totally over my head and I switched off.

Mission accomplished then, eh?

It is interesting that in Jungian terms, an anima possessed man can often present as waspish and sharp tongued, and camp; maybe best personified in the figure of the drag queen; and an animus possessed woman actually quite similar ( but with a certain 'harder', although similarly aggressive quality) The meaning of animosity and animus is, interestingly, not too dissimilar:

Synonyms & Antonyms for animus: animosity, antagonism, antipathy, bad blood, bitterness, enmity, gall, grudge, hostility, jaundice, rancour.

My feeling is that some women are actually animus possessed, and had they been born in more contemporary times, may have identified as 'trans'. A primitive form of 'masculinity' is emulated and sought. And 'femininity' is rejected.

Two women accused Assange of acts meeting the criminal definition of rape. I believe those women. I have paid no heed to what govts have said about him.

If you believe the UN special rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer, who reluctantly took up the case and consequently read the original Swedish files, those women did actually not accuse Assange of torture.

'I could hardly believe my eyes: According to the testimony of the woman in question, a rape had never even taken place at all. And not only that: The woman’s testimony was later changed by the Stockholm police without her involvement in order to somehow make it sound like a possible rape. I have all the documents in my possession, the emails, the text messages.'

www.republik.ch/2020/01/31/nils-melzer-about-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange

But be that as it may, this is not the point. I believed those women (or what the media said those women alleged). But I still understood that Sweden's flat out refusal to promise not to extradite Assange to the US was precisely because the US wanted him extradited and had urged Swedish prosecutors to pick up the case again after it had been dropped.

That much was crystal clear to everyone who had eyes to see and did not fall for the mainstream media's narrative. It was never about the rape, whether it happened or not.

never accused him of rape, not torture, duh.

Just how powerful and engrained gender pressure truly is. When a person a would rather go through gender reassignment than change what it is to be their true sex.

They never used the word "rape" but they went to the police to ask if he could be compelled to take an STI test to give them peace of mind because he'd fucked both of them bareback without their permission when they'd agreed only to the use of a condom. Sounds like rape to me.

But yes, you are right that the case was then immediately manipulated by the US to try to get him sent over there. Funny how rape only matters to some people when it can be used as an excuse for something else.

OhHolyJesus - 1st May 19:29 - "For me, one of the top tips I've learnt from this 'debate' is it's useful for every GC thinker to know a good lawyer and to have their phone number to hand at all times."

That was a good reminder! It made me think of this video advice from Posie Parker (now going by her real name - almost - "Kellie-Jay Keen")

"What to do if the police contact you in England and Wales"

(I am still only on Page 3 of this thread, displaying 100 posts per page, dipping in and out, so much to digest!)