The issue of rights for trans-people is not not a binary one.
Despite this, discussions about trans rights appear to be so. I have been blocked on Twitter over my views on this matter despite trying to be civil when discussing this. Which is a shame as I would like to learn more about this.
At the moment, I think that I agree with a lot of what JK Rowling has expressed on the issue of rights for trans-people. Her essay on this issue was very interesting and brings up a lot of issues. But despite discussing this in detail, many have labelled her as being a transphobe. In fact, it appears to the fashionable opinion to hold. So much so, that both my children have said this, though neither have read what she has said on the matter, instead reading what others have said about what she said.
My views, as noted before, were shaped after listening to an interview with Piers Morgan. In the interview, the issue that there were many genders was discussed, and it was then that I realised that having a binary attitude towards safe spaces based on chromosomal sex was limited. While I have come across unisex toilets before and also, in one restaurant/bar in Colchester, toilets for male, female and anyone, this is not an option for all locations and services. So I feel, that such facilities should be genitalia based. I know that my view on this is not going to be liked, and as many have pointed out, cannot be enforced with ease, but it is the least unfair option in my view.
Issues relating to trans-athletes also should be considered in depth. Unlike the views of Piers Morgan, that decisions can and should be made in an interview, I am with people like Lisa Nandy who feel that this should be looked at in depth. I do understand the concerns that people have about athletes such as Laurel Hubbard who have gone onto win medals as a woman continuing the run of medals that she had as a man. I may be viewed as transphobic for saying that a person should not be able to complete as a woman just based on self-identification, but so be it.
But back to what JK Rowling has written about. She has referred to Magdalen Burns being viewed as transphobic for refusing to label lesbians who do not date a women with a penis as being bigoted. I am a man and would not wish to date a women with a penis either. I have not looked at all the views that Magdalen Burns has. From a cursory glance, I would consider her to be transphobic, but just as my children have not read what JK Rowling has read, I have not looked at all the view of Magdalen Burns on this matter either.
Another issue that she discusses is that of detransitioning. This is where a person changes back to the gender matching their chromosomal make up. The exact figures when it comes to this are not available to view, but it appears that those who are younger when it comes to this are more likely to change their minds. This does not mean that we should deny the right to transition to those who are young, but JK Rowling is right in that we should look into this in more detail. With the wait for such services on the NHS being so long, the importance of supporting the psychological health of those seeking to transition is even more paramount (as is the help that is needed following it). But this is not just to support people in the process of transitioning, but helping them to decide if that is the right choice for them.
Women do face more sexual assault than men, and when they do, almost all of it is at the hands of those with a penis. That is not to ignore the psychological and physical pain that the trans population face, but much of what they face when it comes to physical assaults is mostly from those with a penis. Just as most of those who transition (or wish to) are not sex offenders, most of those with a penis are not. However, I understand the desire of those with a vagina not to share safe spaces with those with a penis.
Allowing those who self identify into safe spaces without checks carries great risks. I have treated sex offenders and the victims of them. I know how some are predators who will exploit any loophole to offend. There are examples of offenders born with a penis who identify as women and it is hard to determine if they are doing so because they want to prey on women (CIS &/or trans) or if they are offenders who are genuine about being a different sex.
The argument that those found to be offenders can be banned carries no weight to me as many offences when it comes to sexual assault are not brought to court and the rape conviction rates in the UK are low.
I do like to engage in civilised debate and if you are interested in letting me know what you think, you can do so in the comments section, but I would prefer to learn about your point of view on Twitter.
