Many still think it’s a choice. That needs to be demystified.

To me, this sentiment is such a big part of the problem. The abuse, the homelessness, the insecurity: those are all symptoms of the problem, but needing justify any of gestures wildly everywhere this as not being a choice is such a big part of the problem.

Why can’t it be a choice? I’m not gay and I know I’m not because I’ve chosen to kiss guys to find out. I don’t always feel comfortable in my skin and sometimes feel more powerful when I’m wearing makeup or am dressed like a 1980s bully. But what if I just wanted to dress as a woman or be referred to as “her” for a week or if my wife wanted to grow a beard? The fact that anyone feels the need to justify these “odd” behaviors as part of biology or whatever further detracts from the correct response to someone having had a sex change or any other personal choice: “cool, it’s none of my business, but I’m glad you felt comfortable sharing that with me.”

I realize that society is so far from ready for this view that my argument probably comes off a reductive, but I’m so tired of seeing wonderful people or even okay-ish people suffering from a population trying to wipe them from existence. I no longer feel the need to justify anything to these assholes and the only explanation they should ever hear again is, “because. Now kindly fuck off.”