Transphobia is leaking out on to DU again, in GD as usual

[DemocraticWing]

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10027824707

The replies in this thread range from the misinformed to the absolutely offensive. I could not imagine being a trans person thinking about reading DU and seeing the posters on this site repeat the myth that most trans people "change back" and make jokes about the struggles of a prominent trans person.

Not really sure what point I have in posting this, just that I was a bit mad after reading that and wanted to say something on a part of DU where LGBTQ people are reading.

[Behind the Aegis]

1. It is not uncommon, sadly.

Like you, I feel for the transgender posters here who have to endure this shit, as well as the real world bullshit being hurled at them as individuals and as a group. The only shining moment in that drek is of course, a true, hardcore ally, LostOne4Ever.

[DemocraticWing]

2. LostOne4Ever is doing great work in that thread.

[Behind the Aegis]

5. Always does!

But you can see what an uphill battle it is here just from this:

Juror #2 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Really? This was alerted?

Juror #4 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: Using masculine, instead of feminine pronouns, it seems would not serve to be transphobic or bigoted.

The word "phobic" means, "of or relating to a phobia or phobias." A phobia is, "an extreme or irrational fear of or aversion to something." Those are definitions of both of those terms.

There is nothing in the poster's comment which suggests that he has some irrational fear of or aversion to or is bigoted against Caitlyn Jenner. That cannot be asserted merely by a poster referring to someone (whether a public figure or a private person) with their official name recognized on their birth certificate.

Juror #6 voted to LEAVE IT ALONE
Explanation: No explanation given

That was in response to a poster referring to Jenner as "Bruce" and using masculine pronouns. While it did get hidden, barely, two of the comments exemplify how transphobia is misunderstood or ignored by people. The verbal diarrhea from juror #4 demonstrates how bigotry is "justified" or "excused" by parsing definitions. I have actually seen the same type of argument from someone at DU when a comment was hidden for being homophobic and the person had the gall to come into the LGBT group and splain' to the members here using the same, pathetic excuse as seen above.

"Inflammable" means "not flammable" if one wants to break down the word linguistically. See, the prefix in- means "not" and flammable of course, means "combustible." Of course, anyone who is in the know, will actually understand the word means "combustible" despite its composition. Well, except Dr. Nick Riviera (The Simpsons).

Dr Nick: "Inflammable" means "flammable?" What a country!

[LostOne4Ever]

3. !

[font style="font-family:'Georgia','Baskerville Old Face','Helvetica',fantasy;" size=4 color=#009999]Thanks!

I always try to correct misinformation on these threads when I see them. [/font]

[Behind the Aegis]

6. I know you do!

You always do a good and through job. I am sure it is frustrating, but the truth has to get out there.

[Iggo]

4. What a mess.