2 weeks Ago
It's decision that could, and undoubtedly will, have wide-ranging ramifications for trans women’s rights and safety. There's absolutely no denying that in the past year or so, some media outlets and particular famous faces have whipped up an extreme frenzy surrounding the topic, with author J.K.
Rowling in particular become a sort of spokesperson (though she wouldn't probably like to be referred to in such a genderless term) for this group of people who believe trans women pose a threat to society. Transphobic people have created this idea that if trans women simply exist - never mind have legal rights and recognition - then cis-women are under threat. If that is their opinion, which they are quick to tell you they're entitled to, then this is mine: that is simply not true.
To some, seeing those words defined as what they mean no more than just a few letters on paper. To others, they have the power to change the trajectory of their lives - they have the power to cause them to face unnecessary prejudice and bias, hate and fear. Before, it was understood that gender was kind of binary and was defined by genitals.
But you can argue it's actually a complex interplay of everything, from hormones to chromosomes. Then there are those who are born intersex. Oh, and what about those misgendered at birth? It also is worth mentioning that cultures from Native America to India have long recognised that there are other ways to be gendered.
One of the biggest alleged fears about trans women is that they are men 'dressing up' as women because they want to do horrible and unspeakable things to other women. Does that then not come down to an actual fear of cis-gendered men? Which then actually means - if you strip it back to what they're actually suggesting - the problem is men? Men who want to harm women could, in theory, present as a woman. But they also have knowingly harmed women whilst presenting themselves as footballers, lawyers, doctors, tradesmen - you name it.
Look at the case of Gisèle Pelicot. Who was on trial there? 50 men. Were any of them 'dressed up' as women? Of course not.
Society is obsessed with making people fit into boxes. Obsessed with things being airtight. Obsessed with trying to find someone to blame.
When there's so much actual violence against women, it seems utterly perplexing as to why so many people want to focus on these 'what if' hypothetical situations, instead of those actually happening around us that have solid facts and statistics to back them up. Trans women do not pose a threat to cis women. And there are many cis women who will continue to fight to make sure that WE don't pose a threat to trans women.
From being 14 years old and dedicating my Friday evenings and summers to working alongside children with disabilities, to more recent times of being a befriender for a Syrian refugee who had moved to Inverclyde, the experiences have brought so much to my life. Not only was I fortunate enough to learn lots about other people from different cultures and walks of life, but I was able to learn lots about myself in the process. It helped my build life skills and gave me a new appreciation for so much, it really showed me what was important in life.
Being quite busy as a boring adult now (I even bought a tumble dryer the other day), how I volunteer has shifted, but it's still something that's very much embedded into my life. I noticed in this week's Tele that local charity Home-Start is appealing for new volunteers to help support local families with young children. Just recently, I was also chatting to a former colleague of Ardgowan Hospice who mentioned that they were needing more people to give up their time to run the charity shops in town.
Regardless of your likes, availability and interests, there's something out there for everyone. If you've ever been thinking of volunteering somewhere, use this as your sign: it's truly one of the richest and best things you could ever do..
