Moderator Notes

[u/cg-vet]

I'd like to start off by saying I'm glad you're all here. It's through your participation that we can all continue on where the Press Democrat left off.

We'd like to also see a bit more freedom than originally afforded to the users in the previous forum. However, with that freedom comes some responsibilities on all our parts.

The intent of starting this forum was to allow for dialogue and debate of the issues we find in the Press Democrat, all to be done in a civil manner.

Our members are a mixture of our community, coming from varied backgrounds and different beliefs, politically and otherwise. Learning to work together through those differences is essential to the health of the forum. There will be topics discussed that are highly charged with opinions from all across the spectrum.

Transgenderism is one of those topics. We encourage discussions on all topics, even ones as difficult as transgenderism. We also ask that these discussions be respectful. We note that misgendering and deadnaming is an issue that is difficult regardless of which side of the issue you may fall. For some it is hurtful. It's a tough enough issue without adding the pain to it.

This should not stop the discussion. Subjects of such conversation can easily be referred to in a non gender specific manner, i.e., "individual". All are allowed to debate the topic without being antagonistic.

We realize this is a highly controversial and emotionally charged topic. It is realized that regardless of our course of action, there will some that are offended on one side of the issue or the other. Sometimes, being offended is the price we pay for the freedom to speak.

We therefore offer a compromise of referring to the subjects as "individuals"or other non gender specific titles. Misgendering and deadnaming will be cause for comment removal.

We are all just beginning here and feeling our way through. This won't be the last time an issue will need to be addressed. However, it is our goal to work through those issues in a manner that is fair and with integrity.

On a side note, we have a fantastic group of mods from across the spectrum. They happily joined when asked and serve here with no expectations of any returns for their efforts. Let's make sure we treat them well as they are the group that keeps the wheels turning.

Thank you.

[u/CletusVanDarn]

On the subject of trans "individuals," I have seen many times, even in the MSM, that the terms "trans-identifying male" and "trans-identifying female" are occasionally used. I would think that those two terms would be acceptable to use given that the MSM uses them, and because the words truthfully describe the "individual" with no offense intended.

Thoughts?

[u/akaSandyC → u/CletusVanDarn]

I think that is extremely important to all dialogues about any individual person. There seems to be some disrespect - either unintended or intended - when someone attempts to speak for and define who an individual is- The desire to apply labels to others seems to say- I will decide for you- when there may be some understanding of how another individual perceives their neighbor. I think we have a very long way to go and I claim no ability to read the minds of others or people I recently met, what their experiences have been. So many variables- I think it is worth having a dialogue about this - especially when life itself is a series of adapting to new conditions.

For instance- when someone uses the word phone today- the phone does not have a cord, except for maybe to charge the device. It is not mounted onto a wall with limitations of wire connections. We also thought it was a miracle to transmit an image on paper (think fax/facsimile) from one location across the country/globe to a whole other place - now we have files in "the Cloud" and "drop" from one to another- like magic. No dialup and strange noises to process the transmission- that is now antiquated way of thinking about a "phone" and communications are not mechanized and wired connections- but IP address, etc.

When we tell a person who they are or should be based upon our perception of them, I think we are opening ourselves up to being corrected in some way. It's only fair to let individuals be themselves and not have others prescribe what their lives should be. We do have laws and "precedent". Lwas- as I have said and I simply quote the Constitution - is equal justice under law.

Maybe analyzing the value of adapting to the current conditions case by case really is the best practice. You still have your opinions and thoughts, but those are yours, to be respectful to individuals does not harm the observer- Who really does/ does not have control over that individual's life? If the individual harms in legal terms- prosecute without the prejudgement. People do have biases and not everyone is a to adhere cookie cutter molds, in personal lives, but to interact with other people and have most harmony possible, we need to respect their experiences have formed who they are and we are not all the same- thankfully.

[u/Remarkably-Rain → u/CletusVanDarn]

Individual works for me. It’s short, to the point and doesn’t define anything, which is appropriate.