Transgender Politics

 Transwomen and Lesbians 1. “Women rejecting men” as the underlying anxiety Against lesbians (especially mid-20th century) Lesbians were framed as: Women who “hate men” Women who are “afraid of proper heterosexuality” Women who refuse their “natural role” A lesbian wasn’t just someone attracted to women — she was a woman refusing male access . This was often treated as the real crime. Against trans men Trans men are framed as: Women “escaping womanhood” Women “opting out” of oppression Women “rejecting their sex” Again, the anxiety is not about identity but about female autonomy —specifically, women removing themselves from a category men are entitled to define, desire, or control. ➡️ In both cases, the outrage is less “what they are” and more “what they refuse to be.” 2. Erasure through reframing Lesbians Common claims: “They’re really straight women who haven’t met the right man” “They’re traumatised” “They’re just tomboys going thro...

Homophobia and Transphobia - Links? 1. “It’s just a choice” — the core repeating claim Homosexuality (1950s–1980s) Opponents argued: No one is really attracted to the same sex Gay men were “choosing sin,” “choosing perversion,” or “choosing a lifestyle” If they really wanted to, they could stop This framing allowed society to: Criminalise homosexuality Fire people from jobs Deny custody, housing, and healthcare Justify violence as “moral correction” Importantly, evidence of innate desire was dismissed , even when it was obvious and lifelong. Trans people today Opponents argue: No one is really a different gender Trans women are “men choosing to wear women’s clothes” Trans men are “confused women opting out” Transition is framed as a trend, fetish, or ideology Again: Persistent, early-onset experiences are ignored Dysphoria is reframed as whim or delusion Any neurological or developmental evidence is dismissed in advance The structure is identical: If it’s a choice, then punishment, e...