Read on Twitter
I've seen a really unpleasant side to GC Twitter in the last 24 hours, lacking in the compassion and empathy I usually see here.
If we ignore sex and gender for a moment, we're talking about a fundraiser for someone who is struggling with their mental health. 1/9
If we ignore sex and gender for a moment, we're talking about a fundraiser for someone who is struggling with their mental health. 1/9
That person has already had extensive therapy, and now feels that the safest way to deal with their dysphoria is to go through facial feminisation surgery.
That's a risky procedure, permanently altering your appearance. It isn't a decision anyone should take lightly. 2/9
That's a risky procedure, permanently altering your appearance. It isn't a decision anyone should take lightly. 2/9
This person is already fully aware they're a man. But they're suffering from dysphoria.
Again this is, to them, the best and safest way to handle the dysphoria. The surgery is not about turning them into a woman - no surgery can do that. It's about treating their dysphoria. 3/9
Again this is, to them, the best and safest way to handle the dysphoria. The surgery is not about turning them into a woman - no surgery can do that. It's about treating their dysphoria. 3/9
Do I agree with cosmetic surgery? Not especially. But we live in a society where such value is placed on your appearance that I can't blame anyone for wanting cosmetic surgery if they're so unhappy with their appearance.
Yes, therapy can help. But it won't always work. 4/9
Yes, therapy can help. But it won't always work. 4/9
The fundraiser set up yesterday read to me as a last resort. This person put their heart on their sleeve, they didn't demand money nor show any sense of entitlement.
The backlash seems completely unwarranted. 5/9
The backlash seems completely unwarranted. 5/9
If people want to donate money to a cause, any cause, they're free to do so whether you agree with them or not.
You can donate to a cosmetic surgery fundraiser and a rape crisis centre. Or you can donate to neither. It isn't an either/or situation. 6/9
You can donate to a cosmetic surgery fundraiser and a rape crisis centre. Or you can donate to neither. It isn't an either/or situation. 6/9
If you disagree with it, you can simply scroll on by. There's no need to make snide comments or encourage a pile-on towards someone who is clearly already vulnerable. 7/9
I don't know FO. I agree with some of their tweets and they seem to make a thoughtful and nuanced argument. They're also not blind to biological reality.
I'm tweeting this because I'm shocked at the vitriol over the past 24 hours, not because I blindly follow FO. 8/9
I'm tweeting this because I'm shocked at the vitriol over the past 24 hours, not because I blindly follow FO. 8/9
There are debates to be had about feminisation surgery. There are debates to be had about cosmetic surgery.
But these need to be had respectfully and with compassion.
The TRAs are bad enough. Let's not start attacking each other. 9/9
But these need to be had respectfully and with compassion.
The TRAs are bad enough. Let's not start attacking each other. 9/9
