Transphobia is a word that gets thrown around a lot these days. News stories, social media posts, and people on the street have no problem using the word transphobia whenever someone shows even the slightest aversion to a transsexual person competing in a traditional single-gender sporting event or when the topic of gender reassignment for minors is brought up. The problem is, though, that word is being used incorrectly. Here's why I say that, and why people getting a blanket label of "transphobic" need to start pushing back.
Let's start with the Merriam-Webster definition of phobia:
an exaggerated usually inexplicable and illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation
Very straightforward, right? A fear of an object or situation that is otherwise illogical or can't be explained.
Now if we add trans to phobia, you would think that would mean fear of transsexual people or situations. Merriam-Webster's definition of transphobia takes it one step further though:
irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people
Notice how the definition now it includes discrimination? By making the phobia more narrowly defined, discrimination becomes part of the definition. This holds true not only for the published definition of transphobia, but for homophobia and heterophobia as well.
I'm not sure that I'm buying that, though. I'm trying to work out in my own mind where fear becomes tied to discrimination, because you can have one without the other. This almost smells like some gaslighting by the Merriam-Webster folks. But, let's continue.
There were two news stories today that got me thinking about this situation. The first story is regarding the front man for the rock group Twisted Sister, who is taking heat because he's not in favor of allowing minors to be the subject of "gender reassignment" surgery. He still claims to be supportive of LGBTQIA+ rights, but he feels that minors are not really in a place to be making major life-changing decision like gender assignment surgery. Of course, the LGBTQIA+ folks are immediately calling him "transphobic" for failing to totally support their agenda.
Which is absolutely incorrect.
He's doesn't have an "illogical fear of a particular object, class of objects, or situation." Nor is he presenting an "irrational fear of, aversion to, or discrimination against transgender people." He's rather plainly and simply stating that he believes that minors are not in a proper place to make such life changing decisions; and furthermore, parents need to take a deep breath and a step back before pushing their kid into something like that. Nowhere in that whole description is there anything even remotely close to the definition of "transphobia."
Rightly so, he's pushing back hard. He's very publicly rebutting all attempts to label him as transphobic simply because he differs in opinion from the mainstream LGBTQIA+ crowd. Good for him, and he certainly deserves support for taking a stand.
The second story is regarding a situation across the border in Canada. Up in British Columbia, a grade school was having a track meet. It seems the sex of a participant in the girls division was in question. One grandparent took extreme exception to the fact that it was possibly a boy participating against girls, and he made quite the scene about it. And of course, he's now labeled as "transphobic" simply because he questioned the eligibility of a participant in a gender-segregated grade-school activity.
I do not agree with him making a scene while the activity was taking place, as this did nothing but embarrass the participants. However, while I don't condone his method, I certainly understand his message. And I strongly disagree that he's rightly considered "transphobic" now.
Like it or not, genetics dictate that those born with an XY chromosome pair and a penis are male. That confers with it generally stronger muscles and higher bone density than those born with an XX chromosome pair and a vagina. Neither are inferior to the other as human beings! Rather, there are certain things that males can do better than females, and vice-versa. Males are generally more adept at physical activities. Yes, some females can certainly hold their own against males in some sports. But for the most part, keeping males and females segregated in sporting events ensures that males do not dominate events that are designed for female participants.
It has NOTHING to do with "transphobia!" It's simply genetics and honestly, a little common sense. Females have a hard enough time competing with males in many sports, which is why there is segregation. To take a "female" who is really a male and allow that person to compete against other true females is completely unfair to the entire field of participants. The "feelings" of one person who incorrectly believes that he should be competing against females simply because he believes himself to be a female (or led to that belief in the case of a minor child's parents) should not be taken over the fairness and feelings of all of the rest who are participating.
Does this make everyone who seeks a fair competition transphobic? Of course not. It means that a fair competition is desired. It has nothing to do with the fear of transsexual people.
I do not fear transsexual, homosexual, asexual, or any other "flavor" that is not heterosexual. By the same token, those sexual preferences are also not my choice. I am heterosexual. Does it make me a transphobe because I want physical sports to be held in a fair and competitive manner? Does it make me a transphobe because I believe that minors should wait until they are of legal age to make potentially life-changing surgery to "affirm" the gender to which they associate? Does it make me a homophobe because I choose to have sex with a female as opposed to a male?
I would answer NO to all of those questions. Furthermore, I would support anyone else who answers no as well.
We are losing grip on common sense. We are being forced into agreeing with those who shove agendas down our throats and call us names because we dare to disagree with their dogma. We don't want to "offend" people because we are afraid of being shamed or having a stigma attached to us simply because we choose to disagree with common sense.
We better start standing up for OUR rights, or before long, there will be nothing left to stand for.
