[Russ]

I've generally stayed away from this thread because I find it so polarising. There is no happy medium to suit people as attitudes seem so black-and-white. For example, generally speaking if you express misgivings over the idea of male-to-female trans people using the female changing rooms or toilets you're automatically a bigot. However, if you're open to the idea, then often you're considered a sex-crime 'enabler' or supporter of some oppressive regime that forces the use of pronouns and acceptance on people.

I don't even know where I stand on this. I have a very good friend of 35 years who, up until 20 years ago, was known as Darren. He confided in me about his wanting to transition in to a woman and is now known as Danielle. In that time she (as I choose to say, it has never been requested) has undergone full physical transition.

Do I think male-to-female trans people should be allowed to use female changing facilities etc? I am very uncomfortable with that idea. I'd hazard a guess that the number of male-to-female TGs who use their status to commit sex crimes is very low, but as we all know, one is one too many. I just try to imagine my daughter in her pre-teen days using a public toilet and watching male-to-female going in after her.

Not happening on my watch.

However, Danielle is and always has been a very good friend to me. She has never requested I use the female pronoun, I choose to out of kindness to my friend. It's just a change of one word and neither harms or costs me anything.

This is an issue that's not going away, and I can't ever see it doing so.