Guest post: It’s also about recruitment
Originally a comment by Your Name’s not Bruce? on Councillor Homophobe.
How is it that these “feelings” are not only given a pass, but are enthusiastically supported, and defended with bullying, threats, intimidation and emotional blackmail?
It’s actually much worse than this. It’s not just a matter of celebration and valourization. It’s also about recruitment. How many other disorders or delusions are promulgated by the power of state institutions and backed up by the force of law? The idea that you’ve been “born in the wrong body” is not just introduced to a wider audience than it would have othewise. It is promoted to children and teens who might not have considered this until it was offered, or thrust upon them, as the answer to all their adolescent anxiety and discomfort. “The answer is you’re trans. What was the question?” It’s suggested that accepting this “condition” is somehow courageous and signifies a particularly unique individuality and specialness. Instead of being boring gays and lesbians, you’re something even better. How many insecure kids can resist the siren song of personal specialness, sacredness, and importance promised by the happily-ever-after tales presented by the love-bombing agents of trans siblinghood? “We know the real you better than anyone, and you’re brave and stunning!
Along with the glittery rainbow, however, comes the threat of societal hatred and persecution, which instills suspicion towards doubting outsiders, including parents, driving new devotees further into the arms of their “loving” recruiters. Exploration of the difficulties and problems being experienced that suggest causes or solutions which are “non-trans” in nature are branded as hateful, bigoted “conversion therapy.” Suicidal ideation is presented as a handy tool to access the demanded “life-saving treatment.”
Scientology can only dream of this level of power and influence. The tide seems to be turning in the UK, but it’s going to take a long time for things to turn around in North America. In the meantime, many innocents will suffer horrible pyschological and physical trauma. Those who are medically “transed,” and those who are punished for questioning or resisting genderist ideology will pay the price. But until it costs lawsuits and money, nothing will be done. That is perhaps the greatest tragedy in all of this.
Bruce, you’re not wrong about any of this. The kids most in danger are the nerds. Like my little nerds.
If you don’t think it will happen to your kids, think again.
I noticed a strange shift a couple years ago. Originally, ppl on the internet defending the idea of inborn trans identities usually emphasized that it must be true because trans kids were insistent, persistent, and consistent for years — sometimes from as soon as they could talk. Nobody told them about being transgender, they weren’t otherwise exposed to it. Yet something inside them — something they knew to be true about themselves — had them wailing “But I’m NOT A GIRL — I AM A BOY!” as they threw their frilly dress on the floor. Even the older trans ppl explained that yes, this is what they were always thinking, as a child. They just didn’t know they could say it out loud. But they always knew.
It’s why gender clinics don’t make mistakes.
Then it started to change. One of the popular transwomen talked about meeting teens who didn’t know they were trans — had never thought about being the opposite sex (I’m obviously paraphrasing)— till someone (they?) told them about it. They’d thought they had to be their sex, but when exposed to other trans ppl started realizing that yes, they WERE uncomfortable as a girl (boy.) In fact, they hated it! So they might really be a boy (or girl.) They didn’t know it was a possible option. But when they heard about it, little by little it started to make total sense. And other trans-identified people and allies started to say the same thing. Sometimes realizing your True Self takes a while. That’s to be expected.
Nobody seemed to notice the switch but me.
Just like someone’s gender is fixed OR fluid, or even non-existent. A movement that can encompass all of these incommensurate states of being at once has remarkably elastic standards of evidence and/or explanation. It also exhibits a remarkable lack of curiosity about what exactly causes the phenomena in which they’re claiming expertise. But this is par for the course. Do any astrologers conduct experiments to improve the accuracy of their predictions? You’d think the discovery of so many astronomical bodies completely unknown to the ancients must have some impact on how astrologers go about their business. Do religionists pursue any research programs that would increase the efficacy of prayers? You’d think they’d want to sharpen their skills. Genderists can’t afford to look to closely at their own claims, as consistency and honesty would force them to prune some of them back. They’d have to give up expedient redefinitions of basic terms, the conflation of sex and gender, “intersex” conditions and clown fish, among much else. This would turn their big tent of unquestioned acceptance and forced teaming into a small, skeletonized fig leaf.
@Sastra #2
“They didn’t know it was a possible option.”
That’s the nub, though: it ISN’T a possible option. No matter what they say, no matter what they dangle in front of you, the ability to change your sex isn’t actually on offer. It’s not possible. They can offer mimicry only, at great cost and through great trauma. Your bodily integrity is sacrificed on an altar of make-believe.