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Truscum Argument Debunked - A Logical and Medical Thread
CONTENT WARNINGS FOR ENTIRE THREAD:
- general transphobia
- trans injustice + violence (will individually be tagged via " v "
- misgendering
- truscum ideology
- truscum youtubers mentions (kalvin garrah / blaire white)
- general transphobia
- trans injustice + violence (will individually be tagged via " v "
- misgendering
- truscum ideology
- truscum youtubers mentions (kalvin garrah / blaire white)
PRELIMINARY (1/5)
- this will be my highest compilation of arguments against truscum ideology. it will also be my most formal.
- feel free to screenshot or quote/link whenever needed.
- leave comments/questions in thread. if you come to my dms i'm not like to answer or check.
- this will be my highest compilation of arguments against truscum ideology. it will also be my most formal.
- feel free to screenshot or quote/link whenever needed.
- leave comments/questions in thread. if you come to my dms i'm not like to answer or check.
PRELIMINARY (2/5)
- twitter does not allow editing, so any edits will be attachments to the thread. (this also means spelling errors previously missed will not be fixed)
- for sake of this debate, it shall contain basic knowledge of debate structure and logical fallacy.
- twitter does not allow editing, so any edits will be attachments to the thread. (this also means spelling errors previously missed will not be fixed)
- for sake of this debate, it shall contain basic knowledge of debate structure and logical fallacy.
PRELIMINARY (3/5)
- to immediately address my position in this argument as well as to address my own experiences:
i am a (no-aligned) non-binary individual with mild dysphoria. i am out to my peers. i will actively be seeking top surgery when i am of age. *i stand in negation.*
- to immediately address my position in this argument as well as to address my own experiences:
i am a (no-aligned) non-binary individual with mild dysphoria. i am out to my peers. i will actively be seeking top surgery when i am of age. *i stand in negation.*
PRELIMINARY (4/5)
- quotations will be altered to fit within the character limit. Links or Screenshots will be provided to show the entire article/quote.
- information will try to remain as publically accessible as possible. therefore, no paywall material/paid studies
- quotations will be altered to fit within the character limit. Links or Screenshots will be provided to show the entire article/quote.
- information will try to remain as publically accessible as possible. therefore, no paywall material/paid studies
PRELIMINARY FINAL
- due to not having a specific opponent or timeframe, rebuttals will be addressed in a "COUNTERARGUMENT" section.
- additional rebuttals (from comments + questions) will be added after the "CONCLUSION" of the thread in a "REBUTTAL +" section.
- due to not having a specific opponent or timeframe, rebuttals will be addressed in a "COUNTERARGUMENT" section.
- additional rebuttals (from comments + questions) will be added after the "CONCLUSION" of the thread in a "REBUTTAL +" section.
PRELIMINARY RESOURCES
If you are not atleast vaguely aware of debate structure and logical fallacies, i recommend the following:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/logic_in_argumentative_writing/fallacies.html
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/fallacies/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/schoolworkhelper.net/debate-structure-etiquette/
If you are not atleast vaguely aware of debate structure and logical fallacies, i recommend the following:
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/general_writing/academic_writing/logic_in_argumentative_writing/fallacies.html
https://writingcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/fallacies/ https://www.google.com/amp/s/schoolworkhelper.net/debate-structure-etiquette/
DEFINITIONS (1/?)
For sake of this debate, i provide the following definitions (definitions will also have abbreviations + source listed):
For sake of this debate, i provide the following definitions (definitions will also have abbreviations + source listed):
TRANSGENDER - Designating a person whose sense of personal identity and gender does not correspond to that person's sex at birth, or which does not otherwise conform to conventional notions of sex and gender. (OXFORD DICTIONARY) "Trans" "trns"
TRANSPHOBIA - Prejudice towards or unfair treatment of transgender people. (MACMILLAN DICTIONARY)
CISGENDER - Of, relating to, or being a person whose gender identity corresponds with the sex the person had or was identified as having at birth. (MERRIAM-WEBSTER) "Cis"
NON-BINARY - An umbrella term for people whose gender identity doesn’t sit comfortably with ‘man’ or ‘woman’. Non-binary identities are varied and can include people who identify with some aspects of binary identities, while others reject them entirely. (STONEWALL) "N-B" "N.B"*
EXTENDED NOTE:
- this thread will intentionally direct itself away from using "nb" w/o separation of the letters/words to absolve from confusion between the terms "nonblack" and "non-binary"
- "enby" will also be discouraged in usage, due to the discomfort of fellow n.b people.
- this thread will intentionally direct itself away from using "nb" w/o separation of the letters/words to absolve from confusion between the terms "nonblack" and "non-binary"
- "enby" will also be discouraged in usage, due to the discomfort of fellow n.b people.
GENDER - The state of being male or female as expressed by social or cultural distinctions and differences, rather than biological ones; the collective attributes or traits associated with a particular sex, or determined as a result of one's sex. (OXFORD DICTIONARY)
GENDER EXPRESSION -
How a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, within the context of societal expectations of gender... (STONEWALL) "GE"
How a person chooses to outwardly express their gender, within the context of societal expectations of gender... (STONEWALL) "GE"
MISGENDERING - To mistake or misstate (a person's) gender; esp. to address or refer to (someone, esp. a transgender person) in terms that do not reflect the gender with which that person identifies. (OXFORD)
PRONOUNS - A word that can function as a noun phrase when used by itself and that refers either to the participants in the discourse (e.g. I, you) or to someone or something mentioned elsewhere in the discourse (e.g. she, it, this). (OXFORD) "PRN"
DEFINITIONS FINAL/NOTE:
- Any further necessary definitions will be established as the word appears.
- Any further necessary definitions will be established as the word appears.
OPENING (1/4)
to first establish the argument. i will avoid from using "transmedicalist" to refer to truscum, as i do not think the label aptly fits their views. neither in this argument will i refer to opposition of truscum as "tucutes" and rather as anti-truscum.
to first establish the argument. i will avoid from using "transmedicalist" to refer to truscum, as i do not think the label aptly fits their views. neither in this argument will i refer to opposition of truscum as "tucutes" and rather as anti-truscum.
secondly, truscum ideology is new to the transgender community as a whole (labeling its official founding as a community in the 1970s-today). however this debate has shadowed and actively bombarded the lives of trans individuals. and has uttlerly divided a marginalized community.
in this debate, my goal is debunk truscum ideology and demonstrate it's potential harm on the trans community. thank you.
CONTENTION 1: MISINFORMATION
truscum beliefs, at their fundamental core, base themselves to the idea that trans people must have GD to validate their identity.
this belief is not shared by modern academic community.
in this contention i will explore misconceptions here.
truscum beliefs, at their fundamental core, base themselves to the idea that trans people must have GD to validate their identity.
this belief is not shared by modern academic community.
in this contention i will explore misconceptions here.
"you must experience gender dysphoria to be trans."
this is vastly untrue to trans healthcare. let's explore some trans-affirming agencies.
the APA states, "Not all transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria and that distinction is important to keep in mind."
this is vastly untrue to trans healthcare. let's explore some trans-affirming agencies.
the APA states, "Not all transgender people suffer from gender dysphoria and that distinction is important to keep in mind."
the APA is the creator and contains lead consults of the DSM, a major diagnosis tool and therapy guideline. it's internationally recognized as reliable, although not internationally used. the book that PUBLISHES and PRODUCES the criteria of GD disagrees with truscum.
on an international basis, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health (WPATH), clarities the distinction further, "The various The DSM-5 descriptive criteria for gender dysphoria were developed to aid in diagnosis and treatment to alleviate the clinically...
significant distress and impairment that is frequently, though not universally, associated with transsexual and transgender conditions."
the WPATH adamantly demonstrates that even DSM-5 is at best a source of gender affirmation, and not a requirement of whether someone is transgender. it emphasisizes that the distress of dysphoria is not the accumulation of the universal transgender experience.
the only requirement to be trans is to not align with your birth gender.
and that in fact has a name for it, it's been recently coined by WHO, and for a long time has been a singular symptom of many diagnosis criteria on GD.
it's gender incongruence.
and that in fact has a name for it, it's been recently coined by WHO, and for a long time has been a singular symptom of many diagnosis criteria on GD.
it's gender incongruence.
the world health organization in may 2019, announced the removal of being transgender as a mental disorder. stated the who this decision was not only centered on destimagatizing trans people and legitimizing their access to gender affirming healthcare.
in earlier editions of the DSM, there is no distinction made between these two similar conditions. but the who has made it alarmingly clear that by inherently being transgender (having non distressing gender incongruence ) was not mentally ill. this is the trademark difference.
without distress, nearly anything in psychiatry does not need diagnosised as a mental disorder. this however, demonstrates how gender dysphoria will remain as a mental disorder, because it is persistent and anxiety-inducing.
within the images below, it is made clear in not only the DSM-5 (right) but also the Oxford Handbook of Clinical Diagnosis (left) that even if you remove the distress, that experiences within the criteria are wholly unlike that of a cisgender person.
(LINKS)
DSM-5 https://thriveworks.com/blog/gender-dysphoria-adolescents-adults/
OHCD https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/gender/gender-definitions/whoeurope-brief-transgender-health-in-the-context-of-icd-11
DSM-5 https://thriveworks.com/blog/gender-dysphoria-adolescents-adults/
OHCD https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/health-determinants/gender/gender-definitions/whoeurope-brief-transgender-health-in-the-context-of-icd-11
"Gender is not fluid"
gender experiences are wide and varied. this argument against it also denies experiences of presentation against dysphoria and the questioning of other gender identities.
gender experiences are wide and varied. this argument against it also denies experiences of presentation against dysphoria and the questioning of other gender identities.
from Harvard University, they represent the following graph for the differences in gender identity. affirming not only trans binary identities, but also the identities of their non-binary siblings.
additionally, numerous sources of like minded scientists reporting the fluidity of gender identities and the gender spectrum. this is not new. and our biology is only bimodal, not binary as well.
Additional Reads
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4916508
https://slate.com/technology/2018/11/sex-binary-gender-neither-exist.html
https://massivesci.com/articles/sex-gender-intersex-transgender-identity-discrimination-title-ix/
https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.cbc.ca/amp/1.4916508
https://slate.com/technology/2018/11/sex-binary-gender-neither-exist.html
https://massivesci.com/articles/sex-gender-intersex-transgender-identity-discrimination-title-ix/
CONTENTION 1 CONCLUSION
i firmly address that despite truscum rhetoric and the coining of the term "transmedicalist" that they inherently work against trans research and trans affirming institutions. the only requirement to be trans is bluntly: to be not cisgender.
i firmly address that despite truscum rhetoric and the coining of the term "transmedicalist" that they inherently work against trans research and trans affirming institutions. the only requirement to be trans is bluntly: to be not cisgender.
it is highly fluid and not restricted by character of how much distress, but merely the incongruence and desire to be another gender. the varying levels of distress and anxiety centering one's thoughts toward their AGAB are only possible features of being trans.
additionally, i'd like to conclude with logical fallacies that plague the mere statement "you must have dysphoria to be trans" and "if you're non-dysphoric, you're cis", "you won't be believed as trans with no GD"
the following will be addressed:
- post hoc (1)
- ad populum (2)
- no true scottsman (3)
- begging the question (4)
- false dichotomy (5)
- post hoc (1)
- ad populum (2)
- no true scottsman (3)
- begging the question (4)
- false dichotomy (5)
(3)
despite the scientific and psychology adamant agree that gender dysphoria is not the make-up of every trans person, truscum firmly deny this. definition of transgender has no mention of distress, but only incongruence. and without a backing to support, this is a fallacy.
despite the scientific and psychology adamant agree that gender dysphoria is not the make-up of every trans person, truscum firmly deny this. definition of transgender has no mention of distress, but only incongruence. and without a backing to support, this is a fallacy.
(1 + 5)
the second statement falls under both these fallacies for varying reasons. the post hoc is presented as there is no backing for if that makes someone cis. the false dichotomy is shown in the oversimplification of not only psychology, but the raw human condition.
the second statement falls under both these fallacies for varying reasons. the post hoc is presented as there is no backing for if that makes someone cis. the false dichotomy is shown in the oversimplification of not only psychology, but the raw human condition.
(2 + 4)
the third statement is almost logically ridiculous. it has no standing in its belief other than fear. it is an ad populum because it bases transgender existence and validity on the population's approval. again, it begs the question: what would?
the third statement is almost logically ridiculous. it has no standing in its belief other than fear. it is an ad populum because it bases transgender existence and validity on the population's approval. again, it begs the question: what would?
this leads into my second contention.
CONTENTION 2 : TRANS SAFETY
warning this contention will be mentioning trans injustice very heavily, readers take precaution.
a second core to truscum ideology is the necessity of dypshoria to prove to cisgender that they are indeed valid and in need of their healthcare.
warning this contention will be mentioning trans injustice very heavily, readers take precaution.
a second core to truscum ideology is the necessity of dypshoria to prove to cisgender that they are indeed valid and in need of their healthcare.
but consider the following excerpt in which samantha allen, a continuous LGBTQ rights journalist and her negation of science in persuading masses:
"“Despite scientific evidence to the contrary, polling demonstrates that 21 percent of Americans think that this population has a mental illness, and 39 percent think being transgender is a choice,” the Inverse article begins. “Science repeatedly refutes these views...
and new research… shows even further evidence that transgenderism has biological roots.” But therein lies the problem: If science has indeed “repeatedly refuted” the idea that being transgender is a choice, and yet Americans still overwhelmingly have easily-disproven...
conceptions about transgender people, then more “evidence” probably won’t matter all that much when it comes to cultural acceptance... That means there was a crucial cohort of Americans in 2015–about 10 percent of the population—who still thought homosexuality could be more...
"nurture” than “nature” and yet favored marriage equality anyway, tipping public support well over the majority threshold.
The explanation for that support should be obvious: By 2016, according to Pew, 87 percent of Americans knew “someone who is gay or lesbian"...
The explanation for that support should be obvious: By 2016, according to Pew, 87 percent of Americans knew “someone who is gay or lesbian"...
and it’s harder, although certainly not impossible, to staunchly oppose the human rights of someone you’ve gotten to know."" (END QUOTE)
(FULL ARTICLE) https://www.thedailybeast.com/the-search-for-the-transgender-brain-is-dangerousand-dehumanizing
allen's argument holds true. despite scientific confirmation of transgender identities, it is not our dysphoria and reasoning that makes us accepted, but our collective voice and inward support.
however truscum separates trans people and targets especially vulnerable youth-
however truscum separates trans people and targets especially vulnerable youth-
to speculation of their incongruence and gender identity. even accumulating into their gender expression and how they themselves handle being trans.
this is how to spilt a marginalized community. and historically that makes a community weaker.
this is how to spilt a marginalized community. and historically that makes a community weaker.
because no what. no matter which side is correct, truscum targeting trans youth and other trans members is the inherent danger of the ideology.
violence / rape mention
nothing changes in your dysphoria debate the sexual exploitation of trans women of color, the abuse rate of transgender youth, and the suicide rate of especially the transmasc and non-binary community.
nothing changes in your dysphoria debate the sexual exploitation of trans women of color, the abuse rate of transgender youth, and the suicide rate of especially the transmasc and non-binary community.
statistics are from the following links:
https://vawnet.org/sc/serving-trans-and-non-binary-survivors-domestic-and-sexual-violence/violence-against-trans-and
https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/pubs/forge/sexual_numbers.html
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20174218
https://vawnet.org/sc/serving-trans-and-non-binary-survivors-domestic-and-sexual-violence/violence-against-trans-and
https://ovc.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh226/files/pubs/forge/sexual_numbers.html
https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/142/4/e20174218
to clarify in raw honesty, this isn't a false dichotomy, this merely is to present that internally bothering about the oppressed community is not what oppressor cares about. unity is far more powerful than infighting.
these statistics do not change as a result of scientific information, but as previously seen as in the gay rights movemeny - a result of inward support and community.
cisgender people's validation of a mental disorder does not equate their support for a community, until they fully recognize trans individuals as more than their condition or of their incongruence.
equally so, neither being trans (by character of non-distressing incongruence) nor gay is a mental disorder. so removal of that stigma does not equate a choice in the matter.
CONCLUSION (1/2)
the transgender experience is fluid and covers a large array of variation. between not only identities it covers, but also the severity of distress it can propose. it's valdity is not found within cisgender people, and persistence of such demonstrates-
the transgender experience is fluid and covers a large array of variation. between not only identities it covers, but also the severity of distress it can propose. it's valdity is not found within cisgender people, and persistence of such demonstrates-
logical fallacies and little progress. only with the collection of united trans voices and internal support does that begin to change. however truscum ideology, not only ignores the academic community, but poses a threat to trans community's unity.
i continue, as a dysphoric non-binary individual, to represent not only my academic disapproval of truscum ideology, but also my utmost concern. this argument serves as a debunking their beliefs and their slippery slope fallacy that plagues their fears. do not divide us.
CONCLUSION END.
