I do sometimes wish some of the old guard were back - but then the frustration I feel reading their posts reminds me why there's little point in doing so.
A gay friend pointed out once why he can't be friends with those who believe and vote differently to him. To me it was nice to think of most of them as 'the honourable opposition', where you can disagree on politics, but otherwise they're nice people. He pointed out that they were actively fighting against his rights, and how could he possibly be friends with someone who could do that to him.
Since then I find it hard to read some of their views, now I see it more through his eyes. The opinion that trans people are mentally troubled and delusional which is widely shared on TWeb is sort of a case in point.
I just don't get it. How someone could hate so much, over the simple desire to be treated and talked to in a particular way that they already treat and talk to people with.
For most trans people it is simply accepting that they dress in shirts and shorts instead of shirts and skirts. Or visa versa. It's not a difficult task, in the least. As far as what's in their pants, why do they care? Is it envy? I mean I know for a fact that I envy my husband what he has, but I'm
open about that fact; such envy doesn't need to translate into hate or oppression.
So what gives? I think it clearly constitutes a mental illness to be so invested in how
other people dress or what
other people have for genitals, or how
other people seek to be addressed as long as it isn't bizarre and impossible to be successful at (or impossible to physically say). This seems far more unhealthy and mentally disturbed to make a stink over than the mere choice to be the person you feel you are.