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As a Trans Person, I Don't Think Conservatives See Me As Human
The conservative empathy problem around the transgender debate
I have spent a lot of time online defending my existence as a queer person. I have examined the history, biology, philosophy, and more of what it means to be a queer person: all in the hope that others realize that I and the other members of my community are humans deserving of empathy and respect.
While some people have come away with greater understanding, I have noticed a disturbing trend where none of the arguments I present sink in because many conservative critics don't see me as human. Where rights such as equality and freedom might appeal, in the context of another person, I find they don't work with many conservatives when it comes to me because there is a lack of an essential empathetic connection.
Moving the goalpost
I want to back up and explain what I mean here. It should be noted that my definition of conservatism is largely US-centric, where it has morphed into a proto-fascist (and increasingly an actual fascist) movement based on a desire not only to conserve the status quo but to return to a time that never existed. Conservatism has always been susceptible to authoritarianism and fascism, but things have exacerbated to the point…
