- Joined
- Sep 24, 2007
- Messages
- 51,246
- Reaction score
- 21,237
I think its absolutely the dominant thought process of conservatives in the US. Now, do most right wingers feel that way? Probably not but most right wingers are not fanatically pro-life either and yet the pro-lifers are able to impose their agenda. That's the nature of political coalitions, a given faction within them need not be the majority or even close to it to exert influence. And the anti-trans sentiment is far, far more pervasive among conservatives than the maximalist pro-life position is. The thing is the minority who really hate trans will get virtually no pushback from the majority who only slightly dislike them or don't at all.
I actually don't totally disagree, because yeah that tends to be part and parcel of herd mentality. Even if you maybe disagree (or partially disagree) with what the loudest of "your group" are saying, you may not root them on but you'll at least not challenge it because there's a kinship or like mindedness in enough other areas that people don't want to rock the boat so to speak.
I said it's not the prominent thought process, ie (like you said) numbers-wise most conservatives don't "hate" trans people or wish them ill will. The agenda can be driven for sure by a vocal minority. I think some of the things framed as "anti trans" are mislabeled as such (biological males competing in women's sports as an example) and are actually pro women but would be framed by the most vocal on the left as bigoted. And few on the left who disagree with that fringe minority (though some will, to be fair) speak up against that extremism either.