Well it's now been two weeks since the appalling ruling on gender, by the UK Supreme Court. I have spent a lot of time worrying about it. It's definitely a concerted move by the Government, the Judiciary and the anti trans movement, which are being backed by the extreme right, to make being trans or non binary very difficult. It's intended to drive us out of general society and into our safe spaces, out of sight and out of mind. To embolden transphobes to abuse us by creating an atmosphere of intolerance and hatred of us. So that we are afraid to come out of our homes, except to go to places where we can exist in private.
We must not allow this to happen. We must not hide away, no matter how that might seem appealing in the face of an attack upon us.
There might come a time in the future when we have to literally fight for our rights to survive. But we are not there yet, and I hope that it doesn't come to that.
If we have the courage to make ourselves visible in society, so we don't disappear, and we engage with society in a measured, approachable, friendly way and show that we really aren't a threat to anyone, then we can turn the tide of support back in our favour.
Most people don't really care about us, one way or the other. Society has become very much about getting on with one's own life and so no one really pays much attention to anyone else.
But what they do notice is the online hate campaigns and scaremongering and accusations levelled against the trans community by transphobic people and institutions. They may feel some sympathy for us.
But equally they see the extreme reactions of militant trans activists who make death threats, commit acts of violence and behave very aggressively. And they either lose sympathy or empathy with us, or they just give up caring at all either way.
As I said the time to be aggressive isn't now. We could lose so much goodwill and support and there is still a lot of goodwill support and empathy for us in society, despite the way it seems that everyone is against us at the moment.
I think it's important to be keep getting out there in public. Being seen going about our business and living our lives despite the restrictions being placed upon us.
Be polite friendly and engaging. Leave anyone who encounters us with a positive impression of who we are.
Try to live our best lives, despite the difficulties placed upon us. Treat the barriers they erect against as hurdles not walls. Show our joy at being who we are and with the lives we lead.
JOY AS AN ACT OF RESISTANCE
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