Trans Rights vs. the Rights of Others: An Honest Assessment

The Price of Freedom

Does an adult have the right to redefine their sexual identity? Absolutely. One's sexual identity is, after all, a huge component of one's personal identity, and the ability to define one's own identity and to express such identity both publicly and privately is fundamental to being truly free.

Of course, as with any other freedom, there are both rights and responsibilities that go along with exercising such freedom. There are at times also significant, undesirable consequences. And a person who elects to change their personal identity in any significant way must generally accept those consequences and responsibilities along with any special rights they may be entitled to.

For example, if someone elects to wear a T-shirt that praises Adolph Hitler, they should anticipate that they will likely engender a significant amount of hostility from those they interact with while wearing such a T-shirt. But if that is a price they are willing to pay to wear such a T-shirt, they should be free (i.e., able to exercise their right) to wear it. That is because "free speech" is widely recognized as an extremely important fundamental freedom we all enjoy, even when such speech is deemed "hateful".

Defining "Trans Rights"

Rather crucially, in a truly free society, those who elect to change their sexual identity should not lose any basic human rights that those who do not change their sexual identity enjoy. And because one's basic human rights are enumerable, it would be foolish to try to spell out each and every one of them in precise detail. So, for the same reason, we should forgo such attempt.

One should, however, also recognize that there may at times be significant disagreement as to what specifically constitutes a legitimate "right". That is in fact where things often get a bit murky. For example, many people fall into categories that are seen as deserving protections not afforded others. So, for example, someone wearing a "Black Lives Matter" T-shirt may feel they are entitled to (i.e., have a right to) protections from harassment that would not be afforded a person wearing a T-shirt praising Adolph Hitler. In actuality, though, it shouldn't matter what is printed on either T-shirt: both shirts are expressing political views and fall under the rubric "protected speech".

Consequently, along that same basic line of reasoning, another important question one must raise regarding "trans rights" is whether or not "trans" people have rights that are fundamentally different from those of "non-trans" people. And, once again, there will be some who may insist that trans people constitute a "protected class" that are deserving of special rights and some who disagree with that idea.

Hopefully, though, everyone can agree that ideally it would be best if everyone, whether trans or nontrans, could enjoy the same basic rights regardless of what those rights specifically are. So, in other words, at a minimum, trans rights should encompass the same basic rights enjoyed by non-trans people. And until we can identify any rights belonging exclusively to trans people, the term "trans rights" has no practical meaning.

Bathroom Rights

Now, one issue that often crops up with regard to "trans rights" has to do with which bathroom trans people either can, should, and/or must use. And here's the problem: many trans people feel great discomfort if they cannot use the bathroom that matches their chosen sexual identity. At the same time, many non-trans people feel, not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe sharing a bathroom with those who do not share their biological gender (i.e., trans people).

A closely related issue has to do with locker rooms where people dress and undress. Many trans people want to dress and undress in a locker room matching their chosen sexual identity. At the same time, many non-trans people feel, not only uncomfortable, but also unsafe dressing and undressing in a locker room with those who do not share their biological gender.

So, when perceived rights collide as in this case, a decision has to be made as to whose right should prevail. And that generally involves weighing the rights in a mental balance to see if either of the rights has more gravitas.

In the case of the conflicting bathroom and locker room rights, there is a significant difference between the right demanded by non-trans people and the right demanded by trans people. Specifically, trans people CHOSE to be trans; in contrast, non-trans people did not choose to be non-trans; they were born that way. And, consequently, the entire issue related to which bathrooms and locker rooms trans people can/should/must use arises solely because of the choice they made.

Remember that thing about undesirable consequences one must sometimes live with in order to exercise a freedom? Yeah, that bathroom/locker room dilemma unfortunately sounds like one of them.

Participation in Sports

Another issue that arises has to do with whether trans people should be allowed to participate in sports competitions, teams, and leagues that match their chosen sexual identity. Many trans people argue they should have that right. Many non-trans people argue that they should not have to compete against people not sharing their biological sex.

And, unfortunately, the solution to resolving the "sports participation" conundrum is the exact same as the "bathroom/locker room" conundrum: recognizing that the conundrum developed as a direct result of the choice made by trans people to change their sexual identity. Had they not made that choice, there would be no conundrum.

The Enormous Social Value of Trans People

Clearly, trans people have elected to deviate from social norms, and doing so can be extremely difficult. Those who deviate from social norms often have to deal with extreme hostility. And, sadly, in some cases, trans people have lost their lives for simply trying to be who they want to be. In fact, if you truly stop to think about it, it is rather difficult to imagine what factors could possibly drive someone to change their sexual identity. Biological? Social? In the end, it really doesn't matter.

Biologically, young animals are prone to viciously attack weaker members of their own species. And any variance in the appearance and/or physical ability of another member of their species can elicit an attack. Tragically, humans are not any different. Young children can be extremely cruel to other children they see as weaker or different. And, unfortunately, that genetically encoded behavior, to verbally and physically attack, and even to recruit others to do the same, often stays with a person even into adulthood.

But while those who conform to social norms are often quick to condemn and ridicule those who do not conform, it is really in their best interest to be more tolerant toward them. That is because those that choose to do what others view as taboo serve as a reminder that we live in free society and that we do not have to be clones of each other. Being tolerant of trans people and other like them, of welcoming them into one's home and place of business, is in fact one of the most noble acts one can do.

It behooves all of us, therefore, to take concrete steps whenever possible to try to create a more tolerant society. So, if trans people need bathrooms and locker rooms, we should make an effort to provide them. And if they want to be able to participate in sports like everyone else, we should find a way to do that, too. But we need to do it in a way that does not trample on the rights of everyone else.