As the U.K. snap elections take place, a British-American trans woman reflects on the painful and lasting impact of the anti-trans movement in the country.
Although you can’t technically genocide trans people because they’re not one of the special groups outlined in the definition, you don’t actually need to kill people to commit a genocide. I would argue that there is “intent to destroy, in whole or in part” trans people by “Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” and “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”. By taking away healthcare and other accommodations, serious harm is caused to trans people. Couple this with the high suicide rates of bullied and marginalised trans people, one could argue that the lawmakers are intending to kill trans people (although I personally wouldn’t go that far)
Well now that we all agree on the exact proper word to describe it, can we maybe stop Terf island from “massacring” a population for the horrible crime of existing? I know that it was vital for us all to spend our finite energy and time to get the exact most perfect word for the evil they are causing.
By that logic, all US Citizens are victims of ongoing genocide.
Genocides are a real thing that are really happening to people across the world, you can’t just make it mean something less than it is in good conscience.
Trans people are losing access to healthcare in disproportionate ways, and unless you’re literally the dumbest person alive or have never read a news headline… you know that they are. Your disingenuous denial contributes to the problem. You are contributing to genocide.
Not being represented != being systematically killed off
It’s not just lack of representation though. The UK is removing trans people’s access to the healthcare that allows them to live a tolerable life.
And that is a very serious issue that I feel deeply for and want to help them overcome it.
But it’s not a fucking genocide.
UN definition of genocide: https://www.un.org/en/genocideprevention/genocide.shtml
Although you can’t technically genocide trans people because they’re not one of the special groups outlined in the definition, you don’t actually need to kill people to commit a genocide. I would argue that there is “intent to destroy, in whole or in part” trans people by “Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group” and “Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part”. By taking away healthcare and other accommodations, serious harm is caused to trans people. Couple this with the high suicide rates of bullied and marginalised trans people, one could argue that the lawmakers are intending to kill trans people (although I personally wouldn’t go that far)
It’s not genocide for the same reason that straight-up euthanising, say, schizophrenics isn’t: Neither are a people, but a subset of every people.
I’d lump it in with eugenics but genocide is catchy so I’ll permit it despite better semantic judgement.
EDIT: What, y’all disagreeing with me about the use of “genocide” being politically opportune?
Cough HIV in the 80s cough
The government literally covered up the massive leap in suicides since banning trans care for youths.
Bit more than not being represented.
Still not a genocide. That’s not what that word means.
It pretty much is. If you ignore the culture / race part. Eugenics would be a more correct term.
I would even be willing to compromise on the word massacre.
How magnanimous of you…
Well now that we all agree on the exact proper word to describe it, can we maybe stop Terf island from “massacring” a population for the horrible crime of existing? I know that it was vital for us all to spend our finite energy and time to get the exact most perfect word for the evil they are causing.
How is lack of healthcare = Not being represented?
You are making a strawman argument, there is much more to it than not being represented.
By that logic, all US Citizens are victims of ongoing genocide.
Genocides are a real thing that are really happening to people across the world, you can’t just make it mean something less than it is in good conscience.
Trans people are losing access to healthcare in disproportionate ways, and unless you’re literally the dumbest person alive or have never read a news headline… you know that they are. Your disingenuous denial contributes to the problem. You are contributing to genocide.