The role of transphobia in the ‘debate’ around transgender rights is fairly well documented at this point.
As a transgender woman, it’s something I’ve unfortunately had to come to terms with seeing and hearing on a daily basis.
What’s less acknowledged, however, is the ableism around both mental illness and neurodivergence (forms of disability) which often underlies, and justifies, much transphobic rhetoric.
This issue highlights the double discrimination that disabled trans people can experience, as well as the a priori ableist assumptions about neurodivergence and mental illness that run through our culture.