Tag: trans day of vengeance

Given the events of the past week, I will apologize for this piece not being as funny as my usual fare (which, as some readers can attest, may not be that big of a difference), but we’re delving into something really big and serious.

And, yes, I’m talking about trans people. Again. But this time the stakes have gotten a lot higher.

I’m talking about the Trans Day of Vengeance which was scheduled for April 1st. Put simply, it’s a day when trans people and their allies vow to continue to fight for trans rights in the light of recent bills making their ways through state legislatures addressing “gender affirming care” for teenagers and younger among other more controversial topics.

After the recent shooting in Nashville, though, it’s time everyone takes a deep breath and step away from their feelings for a moment to dig into this event in greater detail.

Trans Day of Vengeance

What the Left thinks it means – an event to recognize and fight for trans rights

What it really means – a really bad look for the trans right movement

I’ve made my feelings known on the trans issue previously, but I’ll restate it briefly since it does become relevant later. I don’t care if you’re trans. Just don’t be a dickhead and treat others with the respect you want in return. That’s pretty much how I treat anyone, now that you mention it.

So, having said that, the Nashville shooter was a dick, and being trans doesn’t change that fact. Even if the shooter self-identified as a good person, I would say killing 6 people sticks a pin in that identification. And, even if the school was a flaming pile of dog shit to the shooter, that doesn’t excuse the act. Most disagreements, I’ve found, can be addressed without heading for the gun safe.

So, what does this have to do with the Trans Day of Vengeance? Well, it’s a little thing the kids today like to call optics. What do you think of when vengeance is mentioned? If you’re like me (and if you are, seek help), there aren’t many positive connotations that come to mind. Not all of them violent, I grant you, but definitely not a “let’s sit down and discuss our differences over tea” vibe.

The poster for the event reinforces the negative connotations with the statement “Stop Trans Genocide.” Maybe it’s me, but I don’t think there’s actual trans genocide going on, unless you want to conflate the bills being suggested/pass as genocide. But more to the point, how exactly do you stop a genocide? Marching? Social media? A well-crafted hashtag?

Nope. You typically stop it with violence.

And when you consider some of the people backing Trans Day of Vengeance are advocating taking up arms…well, it’s not gonna end well. Given the all-or-nothing nature the more vocal trans people and allies have taken, anyone who doesn’t agree 1000% is liable to wind up in the figurative and possibly literal crossfire.

Including your humble correspondent.

Here’s the part many people on the Left and the Right don’t get. You can agree with a person or idea and still offer legitimate criticism with the intent of creating the best possible outcome. And, let me tell ya, the Trans Day of Vengeance ain’t gonna cut it. Not only are you going to turn off potential allies who are on the fence because of the current environment, but you’re looking like violent assholes in the process. No matter what your intent may be, the phrasing used make it sound like you’re about to go all John Wick on anyone who doesn’t celebrate Dylan Mulvaney 365 days of being a girl.

As entertaining as that might be, it doesn’t help the end goal. If anything, you prove your critics right and give them a reason to attack you right back. Consider me your computer asking “Are you sure you want to do this?” before doing something monumentally fucking stupid.

Walk this back for a moment before answering. This idea is a step you can’t take back easily if you regret it down the line. Once you cross that line, you’re stuck with the consequences. Yes, there are assholes out there who will hurt or kill you for being fabulous. There will always be those kinds of people out there. But you do not need to become them to protect yourselves. Understand them, yes. Turn them into martyrs for their self-righteous cause? Fuck to the no.

And while we’re here on the understanding tip, maybe try to understand why these laws are being proposed in the first place. If your answer is “Because Republicans,” oooooh, sor-ray. That’s incorrect. The source of the outrage is…members of the trans community acting inappropriately around minors. As inclusive as your community is, there need to be some quality standards before letting some people in because there are some freaks out there using drag as a cover for their illicit activities. The longer the trans community sits on their well-manicured hands without kicking out the bad apples, the more likely it looks like you support their activities, which drives the anti-trans folks which fires up the pro-trans folks and the downward spiral into chaos, violence, and another Madea movie.

If you want to support trans rights, do it, but find a friendlier means of outreach. Vague references to potential violence and built-in justification for it under the guise of a genocide that isn’t happening aren’t the way to do it. Try reaching out a hand, preferably one without a weapon in it, and look to make friends with those who disagree with you. If they slap your hand away, so be it. Eventually, you’ll find someone who will shake your hand. Violence doesn’t make that happen, kids.