Upon recent internet surfing, a very appalling YouTube video has been brought to my attention. I will not mention the creator of the video because I do not wish to provide such a vile human with more views on an even more vile video, however I will say that the name of the video was “Why Are We Normalizing Transgenderism?” Before I continue, I would like to point out that “transgenderism” is not even a word, but that is just the first of many things that are wrong with this video.
While this YouTuber made many incorrect statements in this video, from making up words that do not even exist to getting all of her information from Wikipedia, I do not have the time nor the space in this article to refute everything that she said. I will just focus on the three that stood out as the worst to me.
The first point that she made that I would like to discuss is one point that she seemed to bring up throughout the video. She apparently does not think that trans women are women.
“There is no physical way for a man to be a woman,” she said.
What she does not seem to understand is that being trans does not necessarily always involve an individual’s physical identity. The American Psychological Association defines gender identity as “one’s sense of oneself as male, female or transgender,” meaning that it has been proven that one’s gender identity is a psychological sense of who they are. Gender identity does not necessarily have to do with what kind of reproductive parts an individual has. Her insinuation that trans women are men is not correct just because she refuses to acknowledge that everyone who has a penis does not necessarily identify as a man.
Next, she said that allowing trans people to feel normal is dangerous. She said that being trans is not normal and that normalizing “transgenderism” will confuse young people who are trying to discover their sexuality and identity. She claims that society should not allow trans people to feel normal and put other people in danger because being trans is “cool.” Oh yes, miss cisgender privileged white woman, tell me about how being trans is cool when 50% of the homicides involving LGBTQ+ people are trans people. It is “cool” to be trans when there is debate over whether trans people should even be allowed to do something as normal as use the bathroom comfortably in public. It is definitely “cool” to be trans when some ridiculous woman who got all of her information from Wikipedia makes a video completely invalidating the identity of trans people everywhere and thousands of people applaud her bigotry and agree with her in the comments section. Being trans is not a trend, it is an identity and it is valid.
The final point she makes that I would like to discuss is parents who allow their trans children to transition. During her video she states that she thinks that parents who allow their children to transition are abusive. As someone who has dealt with abuse in the past, I was incredibly appalled at this statement. There is no comparison whatsoever to a parent who is accepting and supportive to a parent who harms their child mentally, emotionally or physically. Parents who allow their children to transition are allowing their children to be who they are. They are allowing them to feel comfortable in their own skin. They are sending a message to their children that it is okay to be who you are and not be ashamed, they are showing unconditional love for a child that they created… now tell me… what is abusive about that? What is abusive about a parent accepting and loving their child unconditionally and wanting them to live a comfortable and happy life? Nothing. The answer is nothing.
Overall this video was disgusting and I am still in shock that someone could even be this offensive and also be completely okay with invalidating an entire community of people. What is really dangerous is not letting trans people feel normal, it is making them feel ashamed. It is dangerous to make them feel like they are less of a person because of who they are. What is dangerous is allowing people with large social media platforms to be blatantly trans-phobic and applaud them for it.
My message to all of the trans people out there is this: you are normal. There is nothing wrong with who you are. You are not weird or creepy, society is weird and creepy. Regardless of what anyone may say, you are a person who deserves love and understanding and nobody can take away your validity.
