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[–]tiny-brown-mug 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Could it also be argued that, perhaps, trans groups and individuals are now targeting, bullying, and pressurizing lgb folks the way that some lgb folks have targeted, bullied, and pressured conservative Christians?

Think of it. Let's say you're a gay shop owner, and you sell t-shirts, hoodies, and jackets with rainbow-themed stuff, a lot of it geared towards gay men, but some stuff for gay women, too. You're not into the whole trans thing, and you find them kind of weird and threatening, so you refuse to sell or order any "pride progress" themed things or trans-positive designs.

One day, a man who self-identifies as a woman comes into your shop and asks if you have any trans-themed hoodies, and you respond that you do not. He asks if you could order one for him, and you respond that you only sell "pride" themed items, no trans stuff. He asks why, and you explain why.

The next thing you know he's extremely upset, calls you a bigot, and threatens to sue. Which he does. Pretty soon thanks to the fit he's throwing on social media, you're now getting hate mail, and you've been doxxed. Your business is under threat, all because you refused to step out of your comfort zone for a customer who's life choices and psychology you find abnormal, and distasteful. You weren't rude to the guy, you were just honest, and firm. You didn't kick him out of your store, either, and you would have gladly sold him a rainbow-themed hoodie.

This is a plausible situation, and gay and lesbian business owners will probably be facing a lot more of this at some point. It is kind of ironic that this is actually a real problem now. I don't think anyone should be forced to step out of their comfort zone, violate their conscience, or endorse views they find distasteful or immoral simply to stay in business.

It did just occur to me, though, that conservative Christian-owned schools, charities, venues, photo studios, and bakeries have had to go through this sort of thing, too. Similar problem, different values, different bullies.