That's the most beautiful thing I've heard in such a while: they can paint out rainbow crossings but they can't paint out love. Whether you are religious or not, happy and peaceful weekend to us all 💜
Penny’s granddaughter really has this sorted. Not an issue for her at all - funny how kids grasp a simple concept but it takes an adult to be a real jerk
I wish you could post images here...I saw one the other day of a bunch of different coloured chameleons with the slogan-, "You don't have to understand us to protect us." For me, that <i>is<i> the crux of it...we can all understand that life needn't be as hard ats it is for people who are transgender.
I suspect there is an element of closet homosexuality lurking within those scum at Destiny Church and other 'men and women of god' just look at the ghastly paedophile's that infest the Catholic Church and not forgetting the Anglicans at Dilworth School. I went to a boarding school and looking back it was a perfect place for such creatures to hide in plain sight , 40 to 50 young boys naked in the showers (Cold I might add) during winter mornings and in the Pool in summer being supervised by 1 Master.....
These people who are filled with hatred have miserable, loveless lives. They need to inflict hurt and pain on those who are different in order to feel good about themselves.
Maybe we should just start calling it Density Church?
And…. I’m a 65 year old cis white guy, raised in Scotland in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s ( emigrated to NZ in my 30’s). Always thought of myself as a tolerant person and I’ve adapted my behaviour accordingly when it’s pointed out to me that I’m being bigoted or careless in my use of certain words etc. I find it isn’t actually that difficult to be more tolerant of those you perceive as different. I tell people I’ll make mistakes, it can be difficult after decades of thinking one way to change but to those that matter they can tell I’m not coming from a place of malice.
Sometimes it does break my heart at how long it takes for things to change for the better but there will always be those who see an opportunity to make money or grab power my sowing the seeds of dissent and we have to be ever vigilant.
Happy Easter Nick and to other followers here on Substack ❤️
We have fought for our (Rainbow) 'rights' for decades (if not centuries) but even when won, if not exercised regularly, are easily lost. Thank you Nick for being an ally and speaking sense with an empathy for our issues.
I also think like Jim Jeffries...and I agree about wanting everything to be right yesterday...but delivery matters too. People don't like to be constantly told they are wrong, ya know? My 21 yo daughter is a mega advocate for Transgender people, and I adore her for it...but she can come across as harsh and unbending, where a little bit of tenderness, and "in your own time" would end with the same result...not as fast perhaps- but a wee bit kinder. For myself, I 100% want people to feel happy in their skin, and suicides to end, and bullying...but I really struggle with Transgender people in top-level sport. I want to understand it, but I also want to stay out of discussions while I am unsure.
Perhaps it would help to know that there are only 6 top level athletic transgender women in the USA? I don't know how many here, but maybe 2 or 3? Transgender women have been able to participate in the Olympics since 2001 (I think) And there's only been about 3, none of whom won gold. So that's the first thing to understand - the haters are making something a problem that actually isn't a problem.
Secondly, there's some great research about which sports would actually be affected. Some sports don't use the muscle groups that men develop and transgender women would have no advantage.
Thirdly, transgender women do lose muscle mass as the hormones kick in, which means the very few stories we've heard about transgender women doing better after transitioning probably says more about their dedication than advantage.
Fourthly, have you compared athletic women to each other recently? There is great variation between women (and men) and we accept and allow for some advantages in all sports. There is a great meme going around, a photo of 2 volley ball players of different countries - one woman is twice the height of the other.
Hope this helps a little. As a final philosophical thought, it seems like it's the men who want to be different from the norm who bear the brunt of exclusion?
Caty- thank you :-) This helps a lot...I've not wanted to say anything, because in my head I think- surely the people running the Olympics know more about it than I do? I have a fairly constant barrage of this negative stuff, and I never quite know what to say...this won't make a difference to the people against Trans athletes, btu it helps me a bunch.
Another great article, Nick. I went back and read the previous ones too. Great analyses of what happened. And I think you are right about the 3 groups - I would hazard at the moment any time we are seeing this kind of negative speech about any group there will be that 3rd group stirring people up. It's so sad.
I think it's great to see our young people confident in their bodies and in who they are. They are much more accepting of difference than the adult population - which I imagine has always been the case for each wave of new acceptance. And that gives me great hope.
The other thing that gives me great hope is my 86 & 88 year old parents who have adapted to transgender family members with only a very little difficulty (around remembering names and pronouns). In fact my father has become quite an advocate, reads everything he can about it. And is a retired presbyterian minister so can place acceptance within a Christian context.
Love and understanding. I'm not religious myself although I grew up with some involvement with the Anglican church and agree with the principles. I hate seeing Tamaki portraying himself as a Christian leader, my involvement with the church, and I'm sure that for many, was of acceptance and kindness.
Wish I had read this before I went to the warriors yesterday. I almost had the moxy to call out "trans rights are human rights" when SBW walked past the stand - maybe if I'd have known it was International Transgender Day of Visibility I would've.
Hi Nick. I wonder if you've thought more about what happened in Albert Park a year ago.
"There were more headlines, claims Ms Parker had been assaulted. Which was curious because there was no assault, we all saw the pictures. There was a throwing of a tomato based beverage but that was it. Much of the media, as well as Ms Parker and JK Rowling repreated the lie."
The police position was that Parker and one other were assaulted hence the two charges against Eli Rubashkyn. So it wasn't a lie then. I would consider throwing juice at someone is assault and so did the police.
"So far as I’m aware the only people actually assaulted were Marama Davidson, Green Party co-leader, who was ridden into by a motorbike in what looked like a deliberate act of aggression. And the other being Eli Rubashkyn, the person who threw the tomato juice."
I guess at the time you were unaware of an elderly female member of group A being repeatedly punched in the head by a member of group B.
I remain conflicted abut the whole thing. I support women's rights and trans rights. But I find some trans right supporters seem to want more rights for trans people at the cost of diminishing rights for women.
I don't have anything further to add on Ms Parker, she had some juice thrown on her. In the context of the views she espouses and the protest going on I don't find that particularly surprising or in fact unreasonable.
When I wrote this I wasn't aware of the incident with the elderly female, as far as I know it wasn't reported at the time. I understand the young activist involved has plead guilty to the charge.
That's the most beautiful thing I've heard in such a while: they can paint out rainbow crossings but they can't paint out love. Whether you are religious or not, happy and peaceful weekend to us all 💜
Yup. Kindness… simple enough… too simple for some. What are they all afraid of?
Penny’s granddaughter really has this sorted. Not an issue for her at all - funny how kids grasp a simple concept but it takes an adult to be a real jerk
I wish you could post images here...I saw one the other day of a bunch of different coloured chameleons with the slogan-, "You don't have to understand us to protect us." For me, that <i>is<i> the crux of it...we can all understand that life needn't be as hard ats it is for people who are transgender.
I suspect there is an element of closet homosexuality lurking within those scum at Destiny Church and other 'men and women of god' just look at the ghastly paedophile's that infest the Catholic Church and not forgetting the Anglicans at Dilworth School. I went to a boarding school and looking back it was a perfect place for such creatures to hide in plain sight , 40 to 50 young boys naked in the showers (Cold I might add) during winter mornings and in the Pool in summer being supervised by 1 Master.....
These people who are filled with hatred have miserable, loveless lives. They need to inflict hurt and pain on those who are different in order to feel good about themselves.
Maybe we should just start calling it Density Church?
And…. I’m a 65 year old cis white guy, raised in Scotland in the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s ( emigrated to NZ in my 30’s). Always thought of myself as a tolerant person and I’ve adapted my behaviour accordingly when it’s pointed out to me that I’m being bigoted or careless in my use of certain words etc. I find it isn’t actually that difficult to be more tolerant of those you perceive as different. I tell people I’ll make mistakes, it can be difficult after decades of thinking one way to change but to those that matter they can tell I’m not coming from a place of malice.
Sometimes it does break my heart at how long it takes for things to change for the better but there will always be those who see an opportunity to make money or grab power my sowing the seeds of dissent and we have to be ever vigilant.
Happy Easter Nick and to other followers here on Substack ❤️
I've called it density church for the longest time 😆
🌈solidarity
❤️🧡💛💚💙💜
We have fought for our (Rainbow) 'rights' for decades (if not centuries) but even when won, if not exercised regularly, are easily lost. Thank you Nick for being an ally and speaking sense with an empathy for our issues.
I also think like Jim Jeffries...and I agree about wanting everything to be right yesterday...but delivery matters too. People don't like to be constantly told they are wrong, ya know? My 21 yo daughter is a mega advocate for Transgender people, and I adore her for it...but she can come across as harsh and unbending, where a little bit of tenderness, and "in your own time" would end with the same result...not as fast perhaps- but a wee bit kinder. For myself, I 100% want people to feel happy in their skin, and suicides to end, and bullying...but I really struggle with Transgender people in top-level sport. I want to understand it, but I also want to stay out of discussions while I am unsure.
It's a hard conversation to take part in without someone getting angry no matter your pov.
Exactly. I'm always on the side of kindness...but fairness matters too.
Perhaps it would help to know that there are only 6 top level athletic transgender women in the USA? I don't know how many here, but maybe 2 or 3? Transgender women have been able to participate in the Olympics since 2001 (I think) And there's only been about 3, none of whom won gold. So that's the first thing to understand - the haters are making something a problem that actually isn't a problem.
Secondly, there's some great research about which sports would actually be affected. Some sports don't use the muscle groups that men develop and transgender women would have no advantage.
Thirdly, transgender women do lose muscle mass as the hormones kick in, which means the very few stories we've heard about transgender women doing better after transitioning probably says more about their dedication than advantage.
Fourthly, have you compared athletic women to each other recently? There is great variation between women (and men) and we accept and allow for some advantages in all sports. There is a great meme going around, a photo of 2 volley ball players of different countries - one woman is twice the height of the other.
Hope this helps a little. As a final philosophical thought, it seems like it's the men who want to be different from the norm who bear the brunt of exclusion?
Caty- thank you :-) This helps a lot...I've not wanted to say anything, because in my head I think- surely the people running the Olympics know more about it than I do? I have a fairly constant barrage of this negative stuff, and I never quite know what to say...this won't make a difference to the people against Trans athletes, btu it helps me a bunch.
Exactly, it won't make any difference to the anti trans, but if we are clear in our own minds it helps.
I've pondered what would it look like if we stopped using gender as the division in sports?
Me too.
Wonderful Nick! Brings a lump to my throat. Kids are pretty smart, until we ruin them with certain types of 'education'
Another great article, Nick. I went back and read the previous ones too. Great analyses of what happened. And I think you are right about the 3 groups - I would hazard at the moment any time we are seeing this kind of negative speech about any group there will be that 3rd group stirring people up. It's so sad.
I think it's great to see our young people confident in their bodies and in who they are. They are much more accepting of difference than the adult population - which I imagine has always been the case for each wave of new acceptance. And that gives me great hope.
The other thing that gives me great hope is my 86 & 88 year old parents who have adapted to transgender family members with only a very little difficulty (around remembering names and pronouns). In fact my father has become quite an advocate, reads everything he can about it. And is a retired presbyterian minister so can place acceptance within a Christian context.
Love and understanding. I'm not religious myself although I grew up with some involvement with the Anglican church and agree with the principles. I hate seeing Tamaki portraying himself as a Christian leader, my involvement with the church, and I'm sure that for many, was of acceptance and kindness.
100% acceptance. And kindness to those different to you!
Wish I had read this before I went to the warriors yesterday. I almost had the moxy to call out "trans rights are human rights" when SBW walked past the stand - maybe if I'd have known it was International Transgender Day of Visibility I would've.
Hi Nick. I wonder if you've thought more about what happened in Albert Park a year ago.
"There were more headlines, claims Ms Parker had been assaulted. Which was curious because there was no assault, we all saw the pictures. There was a throwing of a tomato based beverage but that was it. Much of the media, as well as Ms Parker and JK Rowling repreated the lie."
The police position was that Parker and one other were assaulted hence the two charges against Eli Rubashkyn. So it wasn't a lie then. I would consider throwing juice at someone is assault and so did the police.
"So far as I’m aware the only people actually assaulted were Marama Davidson, Green Party co-leader, who was ridden into by a motorbike in what looked like a deliberate act of aggression. And the other being Eli Rubashkyn, the person who threw the tomato juice."
I guess at the time you were unaware of an elderly female member of group A being repeatedly punched in the head by a member of group B.
I remain conflicted abut the whole thing. I support women's rights and trans rights. But I find some trans right supporters seem to want more rights for trans people at the cost of diminishing rights for women.
I don't have anything further to add on Ms Parker, she had some juice thrown on her. In the context of the views she espouses and the protest going on I don't find that particularly surprising or in fact unreasonable.
When I wrote this I wasn't aware of the incident with the elderly female, as far as I know it wasn't reported at the time. I understand the young activist involved has plead guilty to the charge.
I would be interested to know how you perceive trans rights could erode womens rights. Thats the same argument men used against womens rights