The few divide

An open letter to the individuals thinking they can decide who belongs in the LGBTQIA+ community.

HOW DARE YOU!?

You talk about representation and the importanse of being seen, and yet you want to exclude trans* people from visible forums just because you don't think they belong. Who gave you the right? 

Fine, being transgender isn't a sexual orientation, but according to many, neither is being asexual.

Trans* IS a part of our community for the simple reason that they're an oppressed group in oppossition to the gender norms our heteronormatve society wants to impose on us. Trans* people deserve representation just as much as the rest of us, for the simple reason that they're human beings and therefore deserve respect and a voice. Going against the gender norms, being brave enough to stand up and say "This is me! I do not comform to your idea of me" deserves representation in all media outlets. Who are you to call for exclusion based on craving to live as the gender you are?

As for transgender people's desire to be seen being hostile to the goals of women, who are you to speak for all women? How is demanding equality, equity, and a voice in public arenas hostile to the goals of women? This is, after all, what feminism has been fighting for for the last 200 years. Respect for who you are, regardless of gender, is what feminism is all about, and you say that trans* people are against this. How? 

I am not a transgender person. I have no idea what transgender people struggle with everyday. However, I am a woman and I am asexual, and you do NOT speak for me. I try to be an ally to my transgender friends and family. Trans* people belong in our community, which was founded on an idea of equality for all, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity, just as much as I do.

DFTBA