Honestly, I'm relieved by your response. I have kept largely quiet about my experiences, hoping it was just an anomoly, but in my heart of hearts, I don't think it is.

I am very much sympathetic, even empathetic, toward trans issues and rights, and the experience of being trans. But we cannot blindly go into an era where critical thinking and making sure things make sense and checking that things are safe for everyone is ignored or even vilified in favor of virtue signalling, accepting everything, and allowing the fear of being called transphobic silence us.

And yet, when I speak, I cringe, fearing I will be insulted upon not being believed, as if the latter wasn't painful enough. Thank you for your gentle, honest, and moral response. It does not go unnoticed.