The former party of "small government" turns into the party of deranged busybodies, launching unprecedented attacks on trans people's mere right to exist.
Wonderful piece. You are always terrific. But this one nailed crazy hateful Republicans who find themselves in a spiral where they try to out-outrage all the other hateful nuts in the same spiral. Just as anti-gay marriage politics in 2002 quickly lost its footing to an increasingly tolerant nation, so too will anti-trans hate. Unfortunately a lot of vulnerable people will be injured in the meantime.
Really good piece! When it comes to "what about the children" and drag queen story hour or stuff like that, I think the comparison to letting your kids eat fast food every day is really apt. Everyone knows there are some parents with really strict rules about what food they'll serve or even allow in their house. Those parents are definitely acting out of strongly felt moral conviction, and probably do think less of other parents for letting their kids eat fast food. But if those parents tried to legally define it as child abuse to give your kids fast food, everyone, including conservative Republicans, would understand that as outrageous government overreach and violation of parents' rights. Bringing your kids to a drag show is no different! Lots of people out there might personally believe that it's bad for children, but the idea that it's harmful on the level of actual abuse or requires government intervention is ridiculous. Whenever marginalized demographics are involved, Republicans can't seem to understand there's a world of difference between "well, I'd never let *my* kids do that" and "call the authorities".
Indeed. And I have no doubt that the preference Republicans have for tilting at windmills drains away their time to develop any types of beneficial legislation.
I think transphobia, homophobia, and the disgust and fear of the idea gender as a continuum is rooted in misogyny. Why police gender if not to enforce a hierarchy? How dare those born inferior (female) get uppity and try to access power they have no right to by acting like men and how dare those born superior (male) not appreciate their privilege and go slumming by acting like women! Their need for sharply drawn lines separating the genders begins with contempt for women.
The Republican'ts are swarming through out democratic house like a huge wave of termites, gnawing away at the foundations of our individual (and collective rights)--or to mix my metaphor, like a bunch of loud-mouthed terribly insecure white minimen with big bullhorns trying to smash our brains to jelly with their stupidity, hatred, and bias. Oh, how I wish I had a giant can of insect repellent (or whatever termite pest control folks use) to blast them out of existence. Our house is getting very shaky because of them, and I'm worried.
Wonderful piece. You are always terrific. But this one nailed crazy hateful Republicans who find themselves in a spiral where they try to out-outrage all the other hateful nuts in the same spiral. Just as anti-gay marriage politics in 2002 quickly lost its footing to an increasingly tolerant nation, so too will anti-trans hate. Unfortunately a lot of vulnerable people will be injured in the meantime.
Really good piece! When it comes to "what about the children" and drag queen story hour or stuff like that, I think the comparison to letting your kids eat fast food every day is really apt. Everyone knows there are some parents with really strict rules about what food they'll serve or even allow in their house. Those parents are definitely acting out of strongly felt moral conviction, and probably do think less of other parents for letting their kids eat fast food. But if those parents tried to legally define it as child abuse to give your kids fast food, everyone, including conservative Republicans, would understand that as outrageous government overreach and violation of parents' rights. Bringing your kids to a drag show is no different! Lots of people out there might personally believe that it's bad for children, but the idea that it's harmful on the level of actual abuse or requires government intervention is ridiculous. Whenever marginalized demographics are involved, Republicans can't seem to understand there's a world of difference between "well, I'd never let *my* kids do that" and "call the authorities".
Indeed. And I have no doubt that the preference Republicans have for tilting at windmills drains away their time to develop any types of beneficial legislation.
I think transphobia, homophobia, and the disgust and fear of the idea gender as a continuum is rooted in misogyny. Why police gender if not to enforce a hierarchy? How dare those born inferior (female) get uppity and try to access power they have no right to by acting like men and how dare those born superior (male) not appreciate their privilege and go slumming by acting like women! Their need for sharply drawn lines separating the genders begins with contempt for women.
The Republican'ts are swarming through out democratic house like a huge wave of termites, gnawing away at the foundations of our individual (and collective rights)--or to mix my metaphor, like a bunch of loud-mouthed terribly insecure white minimen with big bullhorns trying to smash our brains to jelly with their stupidity, hatred, and bias. Oh, how I wish I had a giant can of insect repellent (or whatever termite pest control folks use) to blast them out of existence. Our house is getting very shaky because of them, and I'm worried.