I loved watching this podcast1 where Andrew Keates talks to Sir Ian McKellen, and hears his very calm, considered views on equality and the future.
It is easy to think that the future is bleak, just because trans people are going through a tough time right now, but I do think we can fast forward the time towards inclusion and acceptance of trans people once more.
I feel that there are some loud and unpleasant voices out there who love to say that they are speaking for the majority, but they are not. They represent a very small minority and there are others who are receiving funds for clicks to share these views.
With the power of visibility and a faster rate of movement because of the internet and digital media, we can solve this issue in months not decades.
The future is bright and the future starts with visibility and education, that is the way to show the world that trans identities are not to be feared, they are to be applauded.
Ignorance Breeds Fear
We are scared of what we don’t know or understand, that is human nature. Trans people have felt the need to stay hidden, so there are many people who feel they don’t know any trans people. Doctors, teachers, leaders - where is the education and knowledge to help us understand?
We have a long way to go to solve all these problems, but for now - visibility is key.
Over to You
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This is part of a series examining cases, commentary and hearings concerning gender identity. If you have a case or article you’d like me to review, get in touch.
This is so true, I have said this for years that ignorance breeds fear, fear feeds contempt and contempt fuels hatred. People are often afraid of what they don’t understand, but again often the nature of that fear is rarely questioned. The reality of it is usually based in the fact that they are often afraid of looking stupid. That’s when their contempt surfaces. Resentment rises because people don’t like to be made to feel stupid.