How Do You Respond to Transphobic Arguments?/I'm back!

[Psykhronic]

I fully reject that there are only two genders. Hell, there aren't even only two sexes. (Intersex, anyone?) Everything else you said makes sense though, OG.

good point. I am just stating where I would come from when treating someone with this condition. Accepted treatment is to try and help them decide on one of the two. I should note accepted treatment doesn't always mean the best treatment lol

Fair enough, fair enough

[*Deidre*]

Everything doesn't need to be debated and "argued" in life. If someone is "phobic," when it comes to other people, it's their problem to fix. I'm done explaining for example "why I left religion," to Christian friends of mine. If they wish to be atheist-phobic, I'll keep moving.

Phobias are created from irrational fears and stigmas.

[Diamond]

It's hard to argue someone into being a more open minded person about such matters. If you are trying to get someone that you are close with to become a more open minded it's better to get them to empathize with the people. This is how most past-homophobes lose their homophobia. It's not that they come to some sudden intellectual realization, it's that they end up with a gay kid, or their close friend comes out of the closet and they realize that it's just not all that important. If you know any transgendered people just hanging out would probably be the way to go. If not your local college probably has GBLT talks where they could get some exposure.

I realize that. I'm asking for a compelling argument that could get him, or me if I'm the one who's wrong, to think about the issue. I used to be pretty homophobic myself (then it turned out I'm bisexual), so I know it will take time.
The only transgender person I "know" is a friend on Facebook. My school does have a GSA, but it's held at the same time as one of my classes. Maybe next semester I'll have better luck with joining them. Until then, it appears that I too need to educate myself on this matter.

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

Hmm. Like this:

FUCK YOU!

*explain what is wrong with transphobic argument*

[Diamond]

*explain what is wrong with transphobic argument*

The deal was that I have a hard time doing so, given that I only know so much about the issue.

[Tonus]

I fully reject that there are only two genders.

Uhhh... guys, dolls... what's the third one, then???

[My imaginary friend is GOD]

*explain what is wrong with transphobic argument*

The deal was that I have a hard time doing so, given that I only know so much about the issue.

Solution: Go do research on "trans" and find out everything there is to know about it.

[OGirly]

Simply state the case from a medical perspective. If your boyfriend accepts the other truths of the medical community (which I assume he does since he probably goes to a doctor when sick) he should accept the current medical opinion around transsexuality. It's not a matter of choice as it is a purely physiological issue. There is evidence, rather compelling evidence, that it is a physiological issue. What is there to argue? It's like arguing the case in favour of god...one side is full of evidence, and the other is based on emotions. Clear and simple

[Psykhronic]

I fully reject that there are only two genders.

Uhhh... guys, dolls... what's the third one, then???

Men, women, both (androgynous), neither, fluid, other. That's the short list. Turns out people go insane with terms when defining themselves where society has failed to.

[*Deidre*]

It's hard to argue someone into being a more open minded person about such matters. If you are trying to get someone that you are close with to become a more open minded it's better to get them to empathize with the people. This is how most past-homophobes lose their homophobia. It's not that they come to some sudden intellectual realization, it's that they end up with a gay kid, or their close friend comes out of the closet and they realize that it's just not all that important. If you know any transgendered people just hanging out would probably be the way to go. If not your local college probably has GBLT talks where they could get some exposure.

I realize that. I'm asking for a compelling argument that could get him, or me if I'm the one who's wrong, to think about the issue. I used to be pretty homophobic myself (then it turned out I'm bisexual), so I know it will take time.
The only transgender person I "know" is a friend on Facebook. My school does have a GSA, but it's held at the same time as one of my classes. Maybe next semester I'll have better luck with joining them. Until then, it appears that I too need to educate myself on this matter.

Phobias sometimes stem from how a person views a situation, ethically. If he feels "it's wrong," there is no argument that will satisfy him.

I'm not against debate, but I'm careful these days to choose the right hills to die on so to speak. To me, this issue is a sensitive one and no person who is transgender takes their decisions lightly.

But, for education sake, maybe buy a book on this subject and read it together?

I wish you the best with all this!