SHONA Craven discusses the use of the phrase “trans women are men” by opponents of trans equality (We have so much to learn from ‘irrelevant’ old women, January 18).
As a gay man, I grew up being told that same-sex relationships were not real relationships; they were a sign of illness and a risk to others. Then later, that those relationships would be “tolerated” but not treated equally. Then being told they could be legally recognised, but only as civil partnerships, not real marriages, because they weren’t as good as mixed-sex relationships, and that to allow same-sex marriage would “redefine” marriage in some negative way.
Only in the past few years has that changed, and LGB people are much closer to being able to get on with their lives without others denigrating their relationships as (in the words of the old Section 28) “pretended” ones.
Trans equality is some way behind. Trans people are still often told their gender identity is not real, but is an illness and a risk to others. Or they are “tolerated” but not treated equally. Or they are told their gender identity should be legally recognised in some ways, but not as real women or men, and that that would “redefine” woman and man in some negative way.
It is time we moved on, as we did over marriage. Trans people just want to get on with their lives as the women, men and non-binary people that they know themselves to be, and that they live as. They should be able to do that without discrimination, or having others denigrate their gender as “pretended” by insisting for example that trans women are men, or that they are “transwomen” but not women.
Tim Hopkins
Equality Network, Edinburgh
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here