I commented on a post (https://philosophicalblogging.wordpress.com/2016/09/09/the-rights-of-the-transgender-community/) about “The Rights of the Transgender Community.” The author gave a description of the issue “concerning the right of transgender people to use bathrooms of the gender that they identify as.” After briefly outlining both sides, he came to the conclusion that “the stasis of this issue is that ultimately, the recent attention that the transgender community has garnered has dealt a shock to the general public and that the issue is: how can people adjust to a radical social shift? This statement means that many people do not understand the issue at hand and therefore refuse what they fear and misunderstand.” I disagreed with his view on what the stasis was; I think his idea is much too broad. I suggested “do individuals have a right to use whichever bathroom they want to?” but I think that may be too broad as well.
I also disagree with his conclusion that “this statement means that many people do not understand the issue at hand and therefore refuse what they fear and misunderstand.” The author is looking at the disagreement the wrong way; intelligent people who oppose transgender’s rights to use whichever bathroom they like while they are still in the process of changing do not necessarily lack understanding of the issue or have something against trans-gendered people. Perhaps a certain (bigoted) group of opponents do, but one could also be against this for other reasons: maybe women would feel uncomfortable if somebody with a penis is using their restroom.
The author picked an interesting issue, and I look forward to hearing an (objective) speech about it.
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