I just found out my best friend of over a decade is transphobic. I don’t really have more to say. I’m just devastated and feeling really alone.
I feel your pain. May you find 10 more friends just as close as the one you lost; who are not transphobic.
Or maybe someday you’ll have luck in educating the one you lost. Whatever the outcome; know that you are valid and accepted. Some people just haven’t caught up yet.
I’m so sorry. Sending you peace and love
“Transphobic” is used a variety of ways, and means different things to different people. What exactly do you mean? For example, are they actively hateful, or just freaked out? Is it religious bias?
I imagine they wouldn’t be your best friend if they were a terrible person, so things may not be as bad as they seem. Perhaps it would only take some genuine listening and nonjudgmental education to solve this problem. If handled carefully and respectfully, this could be a great opportunity to change someone’s outlook in a positive way.
If they don’t go out of their way to put a burden on trans’ people lives (and I don’t think they do otherwise you would have detected that pretty earlier in the decade of friendship), also remember OP that it’s always easier to be LGBT-fobic when no one you know is LGBT. They’ll have to measure their transphobia and their love for you in a balance. And sometimes, love wins.
this could be a great opportunity to change someone’s outlook in a positive way.
It could, but I don’t have the energy to educate people these days. I might send them some links if I really cared about them, but I have too little time and energy to politely explain for the millionth time that sex != gender. Same reason I don’t have the energy to educate flat earthers.
I’m so sorry, sending love your way. People can change, and it may take you moving on from them and finding more loving and supportive community for that time happen, but it’s not something you can/should be expected to force. You deserve supportive people in your life! They’re out there and ready to accept you with open arms ❤️
