Blog

If you’re told your position is harmful
Someone’s mad at your car. Did you almost run them over? I can pause and apologize. I care about others. I recognize that their perspectives are valid and their observations about my behavior might be correct.

I just want to select NO
The worst YES/NO interface design I’ve seen. We can create a nonviolent culture with the first questions we ask, being willing to hear an answer that’s polarized or ambivalent, loud or quiet.

Why someone complained about the review you posted to Goodreads
Their reason wasn’t as complicated as they made it sound. They say it’s too short. Or too long. What are they really complaining about? What don’t they like about your review?

An exploding rocket is a success, but trans people can’t get hormones?
The existence of trans people is a danger only to fragile egos. A trans person is ‘dangerous’ only to people who believe that a trans person existing and having dignity threatens their own existence and dignity.

It’s easy for this guy to challenge transphobia
Listen to Jon Stewart do it. Stewart’s comedic approach regarding Leslie Rutledge, the Arkansas attorney general, was straightforward. He learned to see through organized transphobia. Reporters can learn to do this too. Ask real questions.

Transphobia is a form of denialism
We have to counter Holocaust denial, and also transphobia. Transphobia is an ideological lie. Certain arguments can identify and deconstruct it. (Transgender atheist Jews, by the way, also have humanities degrees.)

Hate-crimers and their pronouns
Ignore the Club Q shooter’s statement of gender identity. A homophobic, transphobic murderer says they’re what? Let’s differentiate good-faith and bad-faith declarations, as well as reality and fiction.

On ‘The Nonwedding of Stewart and Mike’
Dearly beloved, we are nongathered here today… Real-life Stewart is straight but not narrow, and regarding Smith’s Supreme Court Case, he told the journalist: ‘I couldn’t disagree with her stance more.’

The people who use LGB-minus-T are homophobes
Brendan O’Neill does not support gay marriage and is impressed with the LGB Alliance. Yes, everyone may speak their mind. What’s on mine: Gay organizations that are trans-exclusive are homophobic too in complicated ways. Homophobes love this.