Regarding Sonja McCully’s letter concerning trans rights: I think that there’s something of a disconnect concerning the topic. There’s a question of trans rights versus the current exploitation of the subject. Consider the trans swimmer back east who is absolutely crushing the women against whom she competes. I don’t think there’s any question that this is unfair. Of course, the NCAA is struggling with this right now. No matter what sex the person claims she is, she is physically, in many, if not most, ways a man. No amount of surgery or hormone therapy will change this. She is bigger and stronger than most women simply because of her previous gender. So, her competing against women is unfair. But identifying her as a “man” simply because of her birth gender is unfair, as well. I don’t know her, but I’m certain that she feels she is a woman, no matter her birth gender.
I believe that the current language conflict will eventually work itself out, but anyone claiming that there are more than two gender identification pronouns is deluded. No matter how you look at it, being fearful of pronouns because of potential legal action is absurd. In researching this, I found an article claiming 20 genders and 11 sex pronouns. This is extraordinarily complicated and confusing. Most people say “he” or “she” based on physical appearance, if possible, and to expect anything less is wrong. This is ingrained in our society, and there’s no way of knowing if the other person you just met claims “they” or “it” or whatever. We need to get over this.
But I believe the larger question has to do with rights. I believe that all people should be treated equally until they prove they can’t be. Do businesses pay women less than men? The data says they do. Is this fair? No. And the feminist movement has a long way to go to get this changed. But to give any group extra or more rights than any other group is wrong as well. There are always going to be people who are prejudiced against one group or another: white people fearful of Black people, poor against rich, straight people treating LGBTQ differently. As long as someone feels inferior to others, there will be prejudice. No amount of legislation will solve this. I don’t have the answer. I truly wish I did. Perhaps someone will find the magic wand that will fix all of this. Until then, we just have to learn to get along.
Bruce Peterson
Centralia
