We can file this under ‘words have meanings’ and meanings are important.
Sex: a binary that refers to which reproductive organs you have (males have sperm, females have eggs)
Race: a system that organizes people based on melanin levels in the skin and place of origin (labeling varies, but physical differences exist between races)
These two are physical realities, in which people of some categories face oppression because of their presence in those categories. The term “black woman” says nothing about her beyond a basic physical appearance.
– – –
Gender: a collection of stereotypes placed upon individuals based on their sex (i.e., girls like pink and shopping, boys like blue and sports)
Transgender: the belief that one “feels” like the opposite sex
this is fundamentally impossible without the assumption that male and female minds are biologically wired to conform to gender (aka stereotypes) which is demonstrably untrue and incredibly sexist
Transracial: the belief that one “feels” like a different race
this is fundamentally impossible without the assumption that the minds of different races are biologically wired to conform to certain stereotypes, which is demonstrably untrue and incredibly racist
– – –
You cannot wear the identity of a marginalized person like a costume. Males are not female, white people are not black, and heterosexuals are not gay. All of these are obvious facts, and yet only the first seems to be considered radical.
[Source:Sparksparkboom]
4 comments
October 22, 2016 at 6:11 am
john zande
We’re an abstract species, and one person’s abstraction is never going to completely match another.
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October 22, 2016 at 12:49 pm
donesoverydone
Reblogged this on stop trans chauvinism.
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October 23, 2016 at 11:47 am
Transgender: Biological or Belief | Godless Cranium
[…] had an interesting conversation with The Arbourist that started here and ended here, about the nature of transgender people. You can read the full discussion by following the links, […]
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October 24, 2016 at 7:47 pm
lovetruthcourage
I agree that transgender makes as much sense as transracial (or actually even less sense — since people can have a mixed ethnic heritage like I do, but are still either 100% male or 100% female), yet one is celebrated as “stunning and brave” while the other is ridiculed as racist. Woman-face and drag are equally as offensive as minstrel shows. There is no difference, other than the target.
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