I am wondering about what it is acceptable to assert on MN ...
Some people claim (1) all transwomen are women.
Others say no, (2) all transwomen are men.
There is a debate. (1) and (2) are exclusive, in that they cannot both be true. (A woman cannot be a man and a man cannot be a woman, so nothing can be a man and a woman, although many things are neither man nor woman.)
Some people will be upset if we say (1) (and therefore not-(2)). Others will be upset if we say (2) (and therefore not-(1)). Either way, we will upset some people.
Can I say (1) (and so deny (2) and upset certain people)?
Can I say (2) (and so deny (1) and upset certain other people)?
Fairness would seem to allow the assertion of either or neither of (1) and (2). To allow one to be asserted while denying space to the other would be to take sides and prejudge the outcome of the debate. (Prejudging begging the question in this way is often thought to be a bad thing; hence the pejorative force of the cognate prejudice .)
So, let me try. I say (1) and (2) are exclusive, and that (2) is true: all transwomen are men. It seems clear to me that this is so. Sorry and all, those of you who think (1). You may be upset to read this. But you are wrong. Am I allowed to explain why?
[Of course, maybe we should not debate such matters. But why, if so? Or, perhaps (which is a different thing), we should not be allowed to debate such matters? Again, why, if so?]