Editor,
I was disappointed to see a one-quarter-page ad in the Nov. 21 Daily Lobo issue alerting readers of "Transgender worship: Creating a trans-inclusive campus."
To begin with, I personally don't have a problem with anyone who claims to be transgender. A person's claims to be one gender or another, or a person's sexual preference, are protected by the Constitution. Everyone has a right to practice whatever he or she believes as long as it does not interfere with other people's rights to think and practice what they believe.
The problem with this ad is that it implies this minority has somehow been shortchanged because everyone else doesn't agree with them. One could make the argument that I am part of a minority because I enjoy rugby. However, I don't need to promote a "rugby day of remembrance" or hold a workshop about creating a "rugby-inclusive campus." The thing is, I knew going in that not everyone enjoys rugby. I accepted that and moved on because, clearly, not everyone should have to enjoy rugby.
The most offensive statement in the ad is, "What might we need to change in your environment to become trans-inclusive?" I don't want my environment to become trans-inclusive, and I have no desire to change that. If you choose to have your environment be trans-inclusive, then fine - it is your right to do so. If you wish to discuss with me why I feel or do not feel a certain way, then just ask. If I cared about why you feel the need to declare you are transgender, I would ask you about it.
The fact is: I don't care, and therein seems to be the problem. This minority, as well as many others, doesn't seem satisfied to just live and let live. For some reason, they are intent on shining a light on themselves to declare their differences and to then try to force the rest of us to either agree with them or support their position. I still think America is the greatest country on Earth and that the vast majority of Americans would agree you have a right to believe in anything you want as long as it doesn't infringe on my rights. Realistically, however, I think most ethnic minorities would agree that despite all the advances in multiracial acceptance, there are still and always will be a small minority of people who will not accept racial equality. While I consider these people idiots, they also have a Constitutional right to their misguided opinion. Imagine the outcry if they banded together and put a "superior race day of remembrance."
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My point is while I don't expect to see or expect everyone to attend a "superior race workshop" or a "learn to love rugby workshop," I also don't expect me to change my environment to become trans-inclusive. Be who you want, enjoy who you are, but don't try to force it on me or shame me into thinking that yours is the only righteous point of view.
L.H. Crum
UNM staff
