Talk with a trans person

Steve Massey, in the Aug. 12 edition, used religiously based arguments to support the view that “transgenderism is neither normative, nor acceptable.” Shawn Vestal does a masterful job of pointing out the wrongfulness of Massey’s position, as well as the parallels to other forms of bigotry, which we see being played out in this country today.

The frightening suicide rate, the bullying of, and the mental and emotional anguish of transgender people can be directly traced, I think, to these bigoted attitudes.

Whatever the biological/psychological basis for being transgender, the trans individual doesn’t appear to have a choice any more than any of us have about our genetic makeup, including the hard-wiring of our brains.

Until we are much, much wiser, the well-meaning among us will refrain from making judgmental remarks about being transgender. If you can, talk with a trans person, as I have. You might gain a whole new perspective.

Robert Helmick

Rathdrum