Dear Ms Burchill,
I, like you, am lucky to have been born white, in a developed country, cisgendered, straight. This has protected me from many of the obstacles that others must overcome simply to get the same rights and opportunities that you and I take for granted. However, unlike you I am also part of the future. It is my generation that is directing where society will go next and how attitudes will change, regardless of how that might frighten you.
So here is the truth that you apparently cannot see: the future is acceptance. The future is equality and tolerance and understanding.
I could try to educate you on transgender issues, on cis-privilege and transphobia, but that community doesn’t need me to speak for them. So I am speaking for my community, for the people who know that you have no place in our society. Your hate speech and vitriol can’t damage the world we’re building. Your ignorance, wilful or not, cannot hold back the progress we are making. Your lack of empathy only increases my empathy. Your lack of understanding makes me more determined to educate myself and others.
I was going to say that one day people will look back at statements like yours and be shocked that these ideas and prejudices thrived in our society, but the truth is that day is already here. You just haven’t caught up yet.
Sincerely,
