Whew, I always worry when I see someone post about genders, since it's always too bad when someone cool says something stupid or rude - so I'm glad to see someone smart and understanding about how gender experiences vary and how it's good not to judge. Everyone's different! (: It's easy to criticize, but best to ask and learn!

Can totally relate. I write about stuff like this online cause IRL it makes me feel real bad to deal with someone who's not up to understand - I feel physically bad when that happens. I'm happy I didn't make you feel bad, and feel free to tell me if there's anything that shoulda been corrected - I just noticed I shoulda written "trans people" instead of just "trans" (using the word as an adjective). Maybe it happened while I was translating from portuguese.

Haha you did just fine, no worries! I know ya got language translation things going on, it's really impressive! I've forgotten most the spanish I learned so, bein' able to bring cool messages in two languages is way worth forgivin' any accidental phrasing. But nope, all cool here, friend~ :3

I like this! Your gender "skeptic" didn't make any factual assertions, and actually framed their opinion like a real gender skeptic might. You avoided making them a straw man, which is awesome.

Also, your more perfect skeptic on the right is completely correct. While it may be temporarily acceptable for someone skeptical of transgender identities to have a similar opinion to the person on the left, it would be folly for any skeptic to consider their opinion of the condition infallible and therefore shut themselves off to further evidence.

There's a degree to which one can peacefully debate the scientific facts of biological sex and gender all they desire, but one's personal perceptions and choices in relation to the socially constructed aspect of gender aren't really the types of information with which skeptics concern themselves (and frankly debating the former set of facts with a transgender person without making certain that the person is open to debate is about as rude as going up to a religious person and proceeding to argue against their religion when they aren't doing anyone else harm by practicing it. It's just not a kind-spirited thing to do.)

> You avoided making them a straw man

It is actually based on my real experience in atheist groups on Facebook. When people talk like that near me, it seems to me that they're reframing what skeptic means to fit their lack of interest in understanding trans people, much like when some men reframe masculinity the same as being savage and dangerous to society.

> choices in relation to the socially constructed aspect of gender aren't really the types of information with which skeptics concern themselves

I feel like when people call something a social construct and don't seek further information, they aren't taking into account how important and influential social constructs are. Just because gender is made up, morality is made up, capital is made up, doesn't mean it isn't just as real as well.

Also, very nice of you to point out it's crucial to know the other person is open to talk about it. Once Sophie Labelle wrote that she doesn't want to constantly justify herself. Both her affirmation and what you said I think highlight that it's another person you're talking to, and not a database.

I agree. People hear the term 'social construct' and tend to think "it's just made-up, and we can pretend it doesn't exist if we want to." While that is technically accurate to some degree because social constructs can be logically reduced to a series of assumptions about reality, they're nevertheless based on facts and realilty and can usually be supported with evidence and reason. Morality in general is a social construct, but that doesn't mean tossing it out the window is good and desirable. These constructions are negotiated with the rest of our social community, and if we were to each serve as the be-all end-all of our own constructs without social negotiation, then the fabric of society would break down.

To anyone that asserts negotiation isn't necessary, and that respect should always take place without questioning the authority of the construct, I say "I am the king of reality. Bow before me, or face the consequences of your disrespect." And if they valued their own authority equally, then to war we shall go!