Opinions sought: Is this transphobic?

[Jim Lane]

Someone wishing to disparage Chelsea Manning wrote, "As a woman* she* is still a treasonous weasel."

People can call Chelsea Manning a treasonous weasel without being transphobic. (I myself don't like what I know about Caitlyn Jenner's politics. Being trans is no guarantee of virtue.) In this instance, though, I thought that the inclusion of the asterisks could have no import other than a sneering implication that there was something phony, or maybe downright evil, about Manning's gender identity. I concluded that this particular attack on her embodied transphobia.

As a straight cisgender man, I admit my lack of personal expertise on the subject. I'd be grateful to hear the reactions of people who are closer to the front lines of these battles. Was I overreacting?

[SWBTATTReg]

1. I agree w/ you...and you're not overreacting...

There is no point in highlighting sex of person period unless the writer intended to make specifically that point...the transphobic remark...disgusting and not needed...

[Fatemah2774]

2. I also agree...

As a transgender woman who is African American I have witnessed such slights in public with pronouns addressed to me. Politics aside, a person should be addressed as they are, and without any preconceived notions of what others may think.

That is just my opinion, of course.

[Behind the Aegis]

3. This is long overdue, but...

WELCOME!!!

I have enjoyed more than a few of your posts since you have joined. Thank you for speaking out!

[irisblue]

4. No I don't think you over reacted. it was a sideslap @Manning. nt

[Behind the Aegis]

5. I saw that comment and your reply.

to you.

You were not overreacting, and you are also correct someone can be transgender and not be virtuous, as that has nothing to do with someone's gender, or any other physical characteristic for that matter.

[Jim Lane]

6. I appreciate the responses.

I was kind of surprised that, when I raised the issue in the thread where it appeared, most people dismissed my concern. Frankly, my opinion is that some people's intense dislike of one particular trans person (Chelsea Manning) blinded them to the bigotry.

It's often said that you don't really believe in freedom of speech unless you support freedom for the speech you hate. I'll add that you don't really oppose transphobia unless you oppose it even when you dislike the target.