Pronouns...

'Sperg, you're too intelligent to be this glib in regard to your thinking. If you were truly bold in your convictions, your post wouldn't be published at such an early hour. Alternatively, its timing might possibly ensure that it receives a wide audience...which is somehow an even worse motivation for posting now.

Love *is* love; simply that. If it affects no-one negatively then how is it wrong, morally or In any sense? What actual harm does their relationship do to others or themselves? None. How are you inconvenienced or threatened by their love? They're bloody heroes, not inconveniences or threats, let alone a sign that reads 'The modern world has gone to the dogs'. I call them heroes because your post eloquently shows why people like that couple need every bit of the courage they draw from each other. That's because of the harshness and cynicism exemplified this morning on a board that actually welcomes trans people; oh, and while we're at it, this forum also welcomes devotees of various religions.

I'm loath to disagree with someone so much more smart, swift and savvy than I am but the opinions expressed in your post aren't being so 'suppressed' that readers - including trans members - won't consider your views as any more elevated than those of our local pub bigots.

This is no declaration of war, on my part; it's a request that you not be 'cancelled' but instead consider how others might feel - others from whom you'd rightly expect sympathy and respect should you yourself fall victim to the irresponsible opinions of unthinking critics. You're too clever and caring for such lazy thinking. You're too fond of the idea that your views are dangerously honest, as if speaking one's mind - regardless of potential harm - is a guarantee of credibility and also a badge of honour. So often it doesn't make one a maverick - it makes one careless of the damage done to fellow human beings. And here amongst autistic people too, amongst people who come here for shelter and support, and also protection from others who take vain pride in 'just speaking their minds'...

I'm not a mod, not even a respected veteran, or smart or mature; but I too can speak my mind. In case you're wondering, I don't even have the honour of knowing any trans people, so I've no personal stake that might be founded on personal biases.

Feel free to ignore my plea. Your call. Please reconsider or, at least, consider others.

I do consider others. The majority of people who read this will not find it anything else than slightly humourous. A tiny minority of very shrill people however will attempt to read more into it than was written, or see malice where there is none. 

And can no-one see the gaping double standard where the site now has accomodations for these new ways of speaking, but any attempt to discuss anything but the ideal draws carefully written attempts to defame my character?

I personally find some of what's going on here to be nothing short of abuse, and an attempt at bullying, and when enough complaints have been filed no doubt it'll be found to be hate speech... 

I did know what appears to be a trans couple, It was not an "honour" they were just some nice people that I can actually like. They didn't MAKE ME THINK ABOUT IT OR WATCH MY P'S and Q's, so I had plenty of time for them...  

In the interests of civil atmosphere on the forum, I won't address your specific points or continue the debate at any greater length beyond this post. 

There's no way I'd have sparked a confrontation lightly, particularly as we share mutual friends; besides, you have always been civil towards me, even when I've plainly been wrong, and I'm grateful for that decency. You are a time-served and popular member here - and rightly so - in contrast, I am, admittedly, new and somewhat brash and unproven. I am often mistaken, but less often when I am *certain*. Your friends have, understandably, defended or at least not criticised you, in whatever manner they saw fit. I respect their loyalty to their friend simply for what is; it's a very natural response, whether valid or misplaced.

I'm not claiming that you are some dreadful person at all, simply that your views are obvious no matter the form in which you habitually, all too regularly, and mostly cryptically express those opinions even when unbidden. I'm not alone in observing all this. In criticising your post, I was attempting to look at the bigger picture, one beyond the particular bonds we have here, one that considers people I have no obvious connection with whatsoever...except that they are fellow human beings and, some of them, fellow forum members. I considered them...have you? Really? 

This is my last word in this thread; not because I'm aping the risible 'End of!' rubbish that too often passes for indisputable credibility in the mind of the speaker or writer but because I've 'said' all I wanted to even in my first post...an example of the free speech you frequently champion. I won't change my mind, and it's likely that you won't. So, let's have some peace here, while we all consider our views and our bonds and our biases.

Thanks.

Thank you to Debbie and sphynx for being more eloquent than I was - you both said it all for me.

In the interests of civil atmosphere on the forum, I won't address your specific points or continue the debate at any greater length beyond this post. 

There's no way I'd have sparked a confrontation lightly, particularly as we share mutual friends; besides, you have always been civil towards me, even when I've plainly been wrong, and I'm grateful for that decency. You are a time-served and popular member here - and rightly so - in contrast, I am, admittedly, new and somewhat brash and unproven. I am often mistaken, but less often when I am *certain*. Your friends have, understandably, defended or at least not criticised you, in whatever manner they saw fit. I respect their loyalty to their friend simply for what is; it's a very natural response, whether valid or misplaced.

I'm not claiming that you are some dreadful person at all, simply that your views are obvious no matter the form in which you habitually, all too regularly, and mostly cryptically express those opinions even when unbidden. I'm not alone in observing all this. In criticising your post, I was attempting to look at the bigger picture, one beyond the particular bonds we have here, one that considers people I have no obvious connection with whatsoever...except that they are fellow human beings and, some of them, fellow forum members. I considered them...have you? Really? 

This is my last word in this thread; not because I'm aping the risible 'End of!' rubbish that too often passes for indisputable credibility in the mind of the speaker or writer but because I've 'said' all I wanted to even in my first post...an example of the free speech you frequently champion. I won't change my mind, and it's likely that you won't. So, let's have some peace here, while we all consider our views and our bonds and our biases.

Thanks.

Thank you to Debbie and sphynx for being more eloquent than I was - you both said it all for me.