"Transphobia"

Have learned a new word today:  Transphobia.  I assume that's where people are afraid of transgender people....  And as I've been writing recently, I really don't believe we need to be afraid....  As for Christian people, I believe that Jesus met people where they were at--no matter where they were or what condition they were in--and we should do the same....  [Of course, the rights can be debated, if necessary, but we don't need to be afraid.]

More About Transgender Issues

It's actually against my Christian beliefs to change from one gender to another--except for the situation with hermaphrodites which I've explained before--however, our society says that if someone isn't hurting anyone else they can do whatever they like to do....  So, I want to respect the peaceful views of society and they're not forcing me to go against my conscience....  And if someone like Bruce Jenner wanted to change into a woman, he didn't hurt me by it and I choose to accept the new gender--was the name Caitlyn Jenner? 




Ms. Jenner was an adult when the change happened and that was fine.  But I kind of wonder about young children who still live with their parents and are identifying with an opposite gender...?  If I recall, there was a young boy who was on the news with his parents in Canada a while ago....  The parents were insisting that the boy thought of himself as a girl and they wanted others to respect his rights.... 




In the American schools at this time, where the bathroom and locker room issues are in question, I assume they follow humanism like they do in our local schools here...?  My dictionary, from Reader's Digest, if I may quote it for a brief quote says humanism means, "any system which puts human interests and the mind of man paramount, rejecting religion."  And I think that would about cover what I understand about humanism in our public schools...?  So, if a child says they identify with the other gender and the parents support them [they only require a letter to the school in the USA, as far as I understand], the schools aren't going to question it....  And we have the current debate going on, or should I say the new requirements declared by President Obama.  And I understand there's a threat of schools losing their government funding if they don't comply...? 


One American father on Facebook was concerned about his young daughter in a public school and the possibility that a "boy" might be sharing the bathroom with her....  And the father was quite indignant.  I can understand his concern but I think the situation isn't as bad as it might seem...?  It's something the parents and children would need to get ready for, if they want to cope with the new rules and don't want to be overwhelmed....  But those boys who identify as girls and wish to use the girls' bathrooms aren't wanting to do any harm to anyone....  They're not planning to harm the girls....  They have their own issues going on in their minds; and they just want the bathrooms for bathroom purposes....  [For locker rooms, where there are open showers, some schools have found a simple remedy by hanging a shower curtain between showers....]  And as I've mentioned, these kinds of children are a very small percentage of the children.  Can Christians in public schools learn to be accepting and forgiving--to show mercy to these children and young people?  [And some authorities have been quoted in news sources as saying they don't want this small percentage to be treated differently, if possible, or to be made to feel bad because of their way of thinking....] 


In the boys' and men's bathrooms, there are usually urinals and also private stalls, as far as I know...?  And I don't really understand why the private stalls wouldn't be sufficient...???  But there must be a reason....  And girls' and women's bathrooms have private stalls, also....  But, whatever...!!!  I was just wondering about this point....


Well, then at some point the churches may need to decide about bathroom use in their church buildings...!?  But I don't want to comment much further here....  Of course, if there are private,
individual bathrooms available it's easier but they're not always available.... 

Transgender People--part 2

There have been actions in both Canada and the USA around transgender issues recently....  The Canadians are changing their laws to help eliminate prejudice and harassment against transgender people, and that's fine...although I think the public needs to have more education about the topic....  In the USA, there's some controversy because the federal government is making an issue over the sharing of bathrooms, in schools particularly, between transgender and non-transgender people.... 


Some schools have reportedly been asking for direction in how to handle transgender people regarding the bathroom and locker room use....  And some parents are getting worked up on Facebook because of what they fear is going to happen to their non-transgender children.... 


If people can remain calm and try to use common sense, it's more likely that solutions can be worked out, in my opinion....  It's good to get more information about the matter but it seems many of the major news sources in the USA have been broadcasting stories....  I think people need to educate themselves if they have concerns.... 


They say it's a very small percentage of the population which identifies themselves as transgender.... 
But those people are out there.  And it's not an easy matter for they, themselves, to deal with, I suppose....  It's serious for them. 


This is all I wish to say at this time....  [I may or may not say some more later...?]