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Yesterday, the famous singer Anouk posted a photo of menstrual blood on social media with the accompanying text (loosely translated): cutting off your pee does not make you a woman, but this does.
Comedian Claudia de Breij responded sharply and wittily: “All women are women. So do trans women. Perimenopausal women who are still happy to have a cycle too.”
She further writes: “Don’t worry, Anouk. You are not going to be canceled because of your post, you are far too loved for that. A lot more popular than trans women. They can hardly be canceled, because to be canceled you must first have been embraced and they get that a lot less than you and I. That’s why you can just support them or leave them alone.”
Comments like Anouk’s contribute to a toxic culture of discrimination and marginalization.
First of all, it is important to understand that words of hate, such as those from the singer, negatively impact the mental well-being of transgender and non-binary people. These people already face countless obstacles in seeking acceptance and understanding in our society. Toxic words contribute to a feeling of isolation and misunderstanding, which increases the risk of mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. A culture of humiliation does not contribute to a healthy society in which everyone deserves the chance to be themselves, without fear of ridicule or rejection.
Words like Anouk’s undermine the many efforts to increase awareness and understanding of transgender and non-binary people. It is a direct attack on the work of, among others, Transgender Network Netherlands, Transvisie, COC Netherlands and countless activists and bridge builders in our country. Mean jokes and comments normalize negative stereotypes and reinforce harmful prejudices, which in turn helps maintain an unsafe environment.
They hinder the progress we have made on gender equality and inclusion, and create an atmosphere in which it becomes difficult for transgender and non-binary people to express themselves without fear of negative consequences.
Finally, we must recognize that mean jokes and comments about transgender and non-binary people contribute to physical danger. By normalizing these words we legitimize discriminatory behavior and violence. It increases the chance that transgender and non-binary people will become victims of bullying and even violent crime. It’s not just a matter of words: it has a direct impact on the safety and well-being of this community.
In short: it is crucial that we become aware of the harmful impact of mean jokes and comments towards transgender and non-binary people. It is a matter of respect, empathy and striving for a society in which everyone, regardless of gender identity, feels safe and valued. Let’s use the power of humor to connect and promote understanding, rather than weaponizing it and contributing to a culture of exclusion and hurt.
2024-02-10 23:37:30
#plea #respect #empathy #transgender #nonbinary #people #Joop #BNNVARA